FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: World Kombucha Day Returns Feb. 21 as Brewers Push for Passage of the KOMBUCHA Act

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: World Kombucha Day Returns Feb. 21 as Brewers Push for Passage of the KOMBUCHA Act

Kombucha producers seek protection for the “Tea of Immortality” in Congress

Los Angeles, CA – World Kombucha Day returns for its third year on February 21 to celebrate kombucha, a craft fermented beverage known for its probiotic benefits. This year the day converges with the efforts of commercial U.S kombucha brewers to pass a bill aptly named the KOMBUCHA Act that removes a long-standing thorn in the industry.

World Kombucha Day was established to serve as an international celebration of kombucha, a fermented tea drink that has exploded onto the commercial market in recent decades and led a resurgence of interest in fermented products. Kombucha is made by adding a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY) to a solution of tea and sugar and allowing it to ferment for several weeks. The cultures transform that tea into a naturally carbonated beverage with a sweet-tart flavor, full of healthy components like B vitamins, organic acids and antioxidants. With less than one third the sugar commonly found in soft drinks, health conscious consumers around the world are turning to kombucha to satisfy their thirst.

Today’s thriving kombucha industry shows no signs of slowing down. The kombucha category has been on a massive upward trajectory since 2014; it remains one of the fastest growing beverage categories and is poised to hit $8.5 billion worldwide by 2028.

“As Kombucha grows in popularity and becomes mainstream, we wanted to create a way for brewers to connect with consumers and celebrate a shared love of the tonic across the world while honoring its heritage,” said Hannah Crum, founder and president of Kombucha Brewers International, the leading trade association of kombucha brewers worldwide. “Kombucha is an ancient Chinese fermented elixir that has been consumed for more than 2,000 years, dating back as early as 221 B.C.; it is said that Chinese emperor Qin Shi Huang directed his alchemists to develop a longevity elixir to keep him young and healthy, and they developed a special concoction of Kombucha, the ‘elixir of life’. Now, we want to celebrate its ancient origin by creating a modern day of observance on ‘221’ – Feb. 21 for all Kombucha brewers and fans worldwide.”

In observance of World Kombucha Day, Kombucha brands, brewers and retailers around the world will be hosting happy hours, offering promos and unveiling new product releases. Reporters can contact Kombucha Brewers International to connect to kombucha brands in their area for local interviews.

U.S. kombucha brewers will also be using the opportunity to raise awareness for the KOMBUCHA Act (H.R. 2124/S. 892), a bill that amends the IRS code by raising the taxable alcohol-by-volume (ABV) for kombucha from 0.5% to 1.25%. 

Kombucha produces trace amounts of alcohol as part of the fermentation process, similar to sauerkraut, kimchi and other fermented foods. While this number hovers around 0.5%, it can change slightly when exposed to fluctuating temperatures due to raw kombucha’s live cultures. If left on loading docks or open shelves, it faces a risk of becoming out of compliance by a small fraction of a percent.

Once the product leaves the facility, kombucha producers grapple with uncertainty and fear that this potential mishandling may push their products over a threshold they say is unreasonably low, subjecting them to taxes and regulations intended for beer. The limit was first introduced during Prohibition and is significantly lower than globally accepted levels of trace alcohol (1-2% throughout Mexico, Canada, Australia and much of Europe).

The KOMBUCHA Act, introduced by Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR-3) and Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), is the industry’s attempt to change this 100-year-old legislation. It has received bipartisan support and no opposition but has struggled to find an appropriate vehicle in Congress. With the potential for an omnibus appropriations bill, brewers are renewing efforts for its inclusion in such legislation. If they succeed, it will be a historic first for the kombucha industry, relieving a problem that has kept many small businesses from growing to meet demand.

For more information on World Kombucha Day, visit www.WorldKombuchaDay.com. To learn more about Kombucha Brewers International and the efforts of the organization, visit www.KombuchaBrewers.org.

About Kombucha Brewers International:

Kombucha Brewers International (KBI) is a non-profit trade association that represents the commercial Kombucha category globally. KBI strives to promote, protect and enhance the overall well-being of the industry by creating an open line of communication between brewers, consumers and regulators while advancing the industry through advocacy, education, research, and modern legislation. To learn more, visit www.kombuchabrewers.org.

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