How Much Caffeine Is Actually in Kombucha?
Kombucha is one of the trendiest drinks found in the hands of every fitness and health enthusiast. It’s no secret that alcohol traces are accumulated through the fermentation process, but what about caffeine? Could the bubbly beverage replace your morning tea and coffee?
What is caffeine?
Caffeine is a natural substance found in tea, coffee & cacao plants. It has been consumed for centuries worldwide and is known to increase alertness.
Many of us struggle to make it to the end of the day without it!
Everyday food and drink, including coffee, tea, chocolate and cola contain naturally occurring and or added caffeine. These are typical amounts found in your daily products:
A cup of brewed coffee: 96 mg
A cup of decaffeinated coffee: 2 mg
A cup of tea: 47 mg
A can of regular cola: 22 mg
A can of energy drink: 29 mg
What is Kombucha?
You’ve probably heard your friends and family raving about the beverage, but if you are new to the world of kombucha, you’re probably wondering what it is exactly. Well, kombucha is simply a sparkling fermented tea beverage.
The sparkling fermented tea originated in China around 2,000 years ago, and its benefits are why the ancient drink has gained popularity in recent years.
A single bottle of tasty kombucha is packed with living cultures that are known to improve digestion and more. Like other fermented food and drink (yogurt, kefir, kimchi, etc.), kombucha contains healthy acids and living cultures, which are vital to a healthy gut!
Because kombucha starts with tea (green, black, white, or oolong), it is naturally caffeinated.
Caffeine & Tea’s L-Theanine Relaxation Effect
Did you know that there is an important distinction between the caffeine in tea and caffeine in coffee? While both beverages contain caffeine, coffee is known for being a much-needed energy booster and tea is known for its calming, relaxing effects.
How is this so?
Well, alongside caffeine, tea also contains L-theanine, an amino acid that is an anxiety reducer and a natural relaxant. Studies show that L-theanine combats caffeine’s stimulatory effects by promoting alpha brain waves, which calm the mind.
The combination of caffeine and L-theanine has been shown to improve cognitive performance and mood – something we could all use a bit of! By providing a healthy dose of dopamine and serotonin, you’ll benefit from improved memory and learning ability.
Does Kombucha Tea Have Caffeine?
Kombucha is caffeinated because the tea leaves used to make kombucha (black, green, white, oolong) naturally contain caffeine.
Although caffeine is naturally found in kombucha, it is extremely minimal, averaging around just 15mg per serving – barely noticeable to even those sensitive to caffeine. But if a cup of tea has around 45mg of caffeine and kombucha contains around 15mg, what happened to the other 30mg?
Well, the fermentation process naturally reduces the amount of caffeine! The longer the kombucha is left to ferment, the more caffeine is consumed by yeast and bacteria.
Kombucha’s low caffeine levels are particularly appealing to those looking to cut down their daily caffeine intake. Every day, 90 percent of Americans consume caffeine in some form, and for those looking to kick the habit, kombucha is a perfect step down in caffeine intake while still providing a little energy boost!
How Much Caffeine Does Kombucha Usually Contain?
Generally speaking, kombucha contains around one-third of the caffeine from tea – approximately 15mg per serving. However, caffeine content varies based on the type of tea, how long the tea is left to steep, and how long the fermentation process is.
Still, it’s clear that kombucha contains only small amounts of caffeine, nowhere near the amount of a cup of coffee or tea. Most people barely notice any effect at all, and it’s even safe for children to drink.
The exact amount of caffeine content in kombucha will vary by brand. Each brand will use different techniques, ingredients, and fermentation processes to create the kombucha.
Kombucha Brands Caffeine Comparison
Does RISE Kombucha Have Caffeine?
Yes. At RISE Kombucha, we have created a special fermentation process that naturally lowers the amount of caffeine and sugar in our drinks. We strike the perfect balance between low caffeine and maximum flavour!
The amount of caffeine in our drinks depends on the flavour. Our Rose & Schizandra contains just 8.63 mg per 207ml (7oz).
Does Health-Ade Kombucha Have Caffeine?
Yes. Health-Ade kombucha contains a slightly higher caffeine concentration with between 8mg-15mg of caffeine per serving, depending on the flavour.
How Much Caffeine is in KeVita Kombucha?
KeVita Masterbrew Kombucha is a kombucha drink owned by PepsiCo. All of the brand’s Masterbrew beverages contain far more caffeine than others on the market, averaging around 68 mg per 15.2oz serving!
Does GT’s Kombucha Have Caffeine?
Yes. GT’s Kombucha contains about 4mg to 8mg of caffeine per 8oz serving. However, the same amount of GT’s Coffee Kombucha contains 40mg of caffeine.
Next time you’re preparing your coffee pot or opening an energy drink, reach for RISE Kombucha instead! The low caffeine and mega health benefits make it the perfect way to kickstart your day.
RISE Kombucha is packed with probiotics, vitamins, and antioxidants and tastes amazing, too. Have a sip and you’ll see why we’re Canada’s favourite booch!
Take a look at our delicious kombucha flavours and discover where to buy RISE Kombucha near you.
