East Coast Kombucha - Norwalk, CT
Kombucha is one of those things that you either love, or strongly dislike. It’s a tea that is fermented with yeast and bacteria, and oftentimes is associated with a mild to strong vinegar flavor. Many people have had bad experiences with Kombucha, including myself. That is, until I tried East Coast Kombucha. I was reluctant to try their beverages, but my eyes and heart lifted up the moment I did. This company falls in line with what we have found to be true wherever we are- the recipe for deliciousness is local, fresh ingredients, and passion.
Steve grew up in Detroit, Michigan. He drank a lot of soda, sports drinks, kool aid, and other beverages of the like. He says he was always a skinny kid that didn't care much about nutrition, but then again he didn't have a ton of options when he was growing up. His relationship with food was almost non-existent. Back then it just wasn't that important to him. He pursued a career as a television director that at a certain point didn’t allow him to develop into much more. At that point in his life, he sought to find something that allowed him to give back to the community, something that is healthy and can be good for people.
He and his best friend took a vacation to Hawaii and they found there were many roadside kombucha places. They figured there must be something to it if they are all over, but they were nervous because of the vinegar taste that haunts people's memories. But they didn't know good kombucha like this existed. They loved it. Someone else in line mentioned that it's not that difficult to make, so when they went home they started experimenting in the basement with home brewing kits. They did some research and saw that there were no major companies on the east coast that brew and sell kombucha, they saw an opportunity, and the rest is history.
After a year of searching, they set up shop in an old textile factory in Norwalk, CT where you can now find them. Still small, they know not many people know about them yet, but hopefully they will be able to expand down the line. They are growing and learning how to do everything business and otherwise on their own. Pre-covid they did tastings of their products, and have been able to change many minds in the process. They constantly hear that previous experiences left a bad taste in peoples mouths, literally, and upon trying their product they admit it is completely different than anything they’ve had before.
But what is kombucha exactly? To put it simply, it is tea that is fermented yeast and bacteria. If you’ve ever wondered why some kombucha brands have so much sugar in them, this will explain why. Sugar is fed to the yeast, which in turn produces ethanol that is then consumed by the bacteria, creating the kombucha. It is a symbiotic relationship between food and organisms that we are all familiar with. The Scoby, or Symbiotic Creation of Bacteria and Yeast is the main ingredient. East Coast Kombucha believes in feeding these organisms the best organic food they can find, and providing an environment they can thrive in.
If you’ve ever had a bad Kombucha experience, I would guess that you tried it from a bottle you got at your local grocery store. There is nothing wrong with this if you’re not put off by the taste of vinegar, but if you are, here is your alternative. The fermentation process takes about 10-15 days, but it doesn’t stop there. Once kombucha is bottled and/or canned, the fermentation continues because it still contains the living organisms, creating the unwanted vinegar taste. Unlike beer, which uses the same process but has the yeast filtered out before being bottled - it will taste the same weeks or months later. Go to East Coast Kombucha, try some of their flavors like blueberry ginger or hibiscus from the tap, and taste the difference.
But why would you drink it in the first place? Our gut is inhabited by bacteria, good and bad alike, but sometimes it gets out of balance due to various types of stress. This may make you feel off. When you drink Kombucha, it contains good living organisms that go into your gut and thus affects your immune system. Although it is not a cure all and it’s best to focus on a balanced and healthy diet, it helps to rebalance the system. It's fascinating how the body has the power to heal itself if it's given the right materials. The process of making Kombucha has been going on for over 2000 years, and at East Coast Kombucha they want to honor that tradition and put in the best ingredients to get great results.
According to Steve, Kombucha pairs really well with sushi! They do a lot of business with local fish companies like Fjord fish market, and have been surprised at how well their products do there. The palette cleansing affect also makes it a great pair with spicy foods. There really seems to be endless possibilities with this beverage…
An interesting application for kombucha may be to partner with restaurants, bars, and even breweries for the purpose of providing an alcohol free beverage or a delicious mixer. East Coast Kombucha works with mixologists for drink recipes, but don't worry, the live culture is not killed by alcohol in this small amount. Drinking alcohol is more often than not a social event that some may be left out of, whether that's because they may be recovering alcoholics or sober, or they simply don't like the taste and the hangover effect. Kombucha may be a great alternative. You can get the social aspect of drinking without the unwanted effects. We hope to see some type of collaboration like this in the future!
East Coast Kombucha gives as much in donations as they can to schools, events, and other local projects like the Sheffield Island lighthouse. During COVID-19 they were able to give to hospitals, police stations, and other public services. Once they are able, they will continue to do tastings and events. They pride themselves on being able to give back to their community this way as well as hiring local people as their employees.
Do yourself a favor and go try their products. An added bonus, if you purchase a growler of their Kombucha, you can bring the glass bottle back for a small discount on your refill. Check on their website for their current/new flavors!
https://eastcoastkombucha.com/products/