Is Kombucha Pasteurised?

If you’re reading this, you’ve probably read something about kombucha exploding or only being drinkable if it’s been kept in the fridge.

A lot of articles on the interweb link any kombuchas that can be kept out of the fridge to pasteurisation, but are they spot on or have they missed the mark?

After being in the business for 13+ years, we know a thing or two (okay, we know loads) about kombucha, so let’s lay it all out on the table and have a yarn about how pasteurisation, or a lack of it, impacts booch. 

What is kombucha?

Kombucha is fermented tea. The traditional method of brewing booch – which we follow at Remedy – involves a natural fermentation of sweet tea with a live culture (AKA SCOBY).

The result is a sparkling drink with sweet and sour flavours that contains the goodness of live cultures, tea polyphenols and organic acids. Better yet, it’s downright delicious! You can even brew your own booch at home. 

Kombucha is believed to have originated in China around 2000 years ago. At Remedy, we make our kombucha according to the same ancient traditions as the origins of kombucha. Long-aged brewed and FULL of the good stuff. In fact, Remedy started out on our founders’ Sarah and Emmet Condon’s kitchen bench, and we are still brewing with the same live culture they first started out with!

What is pasteurisation?

Without getting too technical, pasteurisation is a process developed a couple of centuries ago to prevent food spoilage and disease. So, in theory, it’s designed to keep food and drink super safe for consumption.

Pasteurisation involves heating the food or drink to kill harmful bacteria. When it comes to kombucha, the process generally involves heating the drink and then cooling it really quickly.

Pro: It kills any harmful bacteria that might be present, as is the case with all pasteurised goods.

Con: It kills the live cultures, so pasteurised kombucha doesn’t have the same benefits as raw booch.

Is Remedy Kombucha pasteurised?

No. Remedy Kombucha is raw and unpasteurised – it always has been! Raw kombucha contains live cultures, which have been known to benefit gut health. It’s also slightly acidic due to the organic acids, whereas pasteurised kombucha doesn’t quite have the same zing.

But we can’t speak for other kombucha brands out there. Every booch brewer has a different approach to their craft, so there is a huge difference between every kombucha you find on shelves – from sugar content to live culture count to (you guessed it) pasteurisation.  

Is kombucha safe if unpasteurised?

Yes. The benefit of our booch remaining unpasteurised ensures that the naturally beneficial bacteria and live cultures remain healthy and intact.

There are no food safety issues with our kombucha being unpasteurised. As part of our strict food safety certifications, we conduct regular external testing of all our bevs to ensure they meet the highest standards of food safety and compliance.

Is kombucha shelf stable if unpasteurised?

We can only speak for our booch here. Remedy Kombucha is raw, unpasteurised and A-OK in or out of the fridge.

This is because we brew out 100% of the sugar required to kickstart the fermentation process, meaning there is no risk of re-fermentation on the shelf.

While our booch is A-OK in or out of the fridge, we definitely suggest popping it in the fridge to chill for a bit before you crack one open. Like just about all fizzy bevs, it tastes better ice cold. 

Where can I buy Remedy Kombucha?

Remedy Kombucha is available in Coles, Woolworths and independent grocers in Australia; Countdown, Pak N Save, New World and independent grocers in NZ; and online at remedydrinks.com in AU & NZ!

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