Honey Islam, Mountain Bee Kombucha, Indiranagar, Bangalore

Q: When did you first discover kombucha?

A: I first encountered it in 2016 at an arts festival in Goa but didn’t try it until 2017 in the U.S., at Whole Foods.

Q: Why did you start your own kombucha company?

A: I was blown away by the flavours of kombucha, and that inspired me to dive deep into the world of fermented foods and their immense benefits. It only made sense to share our kombucha with as many people as possible and help them live a healthier lifestyle.

Q: What is your favorite flavor of kombucha? 

A: Mavi’s Blueberry & Rose

Q: What is your former/current other life or career? 

A: I was a tax consultant for 9 years in Bangalore

Q: What is a saying that you live by?

A: Whatever you do, own it fully.

 Nicole Leon, Verde Sol, Belen, Costa Rica

Q: When did you first discover kombucha?

A:  I first discovered kombucha 5 years ago.

Q: Why did you start your own kombucha company?

A: It’s a pandemic baby! I tried it in the supermarket and loved it. I saw a workshop coming up and felt drawn to learn if I could make it myself. When I finally accomplished the 2nd fermentation, my family said they liked it a lot and I should try to put it out there. I did an Instagram poll to see if people knew what it was; most didn’t but wanted to try it. Through that, I discovered I wanted to help people support their health with kombucha’s benefits. It was exciting for me to share alternative ways to feel better in a more natural and wholesome approach, and I really loved playing flavor alchemist and having quality family time making Booch all together.

Q: What is your favorite flavor of kombucha? 

A: Tangerine and saúco from Wild Brews

Q: What is your former/current other life or career? 

A: Photographer; Audio Visual Producer and Yoga Teacher

Q: What is a saying that you live by?

A: Always ask, even if you think it’s a long shot, you might be surprised with the outcome.

Michele Vanlangenaeker, Wild Boocha Kombucha, Singapore

Q: When did you first discover kombucha?

A: In 2018 after my business partner discovered kombucha on a trip to London.

Q: Why did you start your own kombucha company?

A: My business partner, Summer, actually started Wild Boocha kombucha. We went to a class together to learn how to make it after she came back from a trip to London and discovered the drink there. It helped her with some stomach issues, and she was keen to learn more. Her flavors were so good that friends kept asking her to make more, and after seeing the traction the product had, I suggested we partner up and make it an official business. We wanted to make kombucha more mainstream and share our passion with Singapore. I was in between jobs and looking for a new adventure, and it turned out to be the best decision I ever made!

Q: What is your favorite flavor of kombucha? 

A: Lo Bros blueberry lime

Q: What is your former/current other life or career? 

A: I used to be a Legal Counsel for an airline company

Q: What is a saying that you live by?

A: Things happen for a reason

Willie Kennon, Rogue Kombucha, Grants Pass, OR

Q: When did you first discover kombucha?

A: I started drinking kombucha around 2011

Q: Why did you start your own kombucha company?

A: A friend of mine started Rogue Kombucha back in 2013 and was making the best-tasting kombucha I had ever tasted. Unfortunately, in 2020, when the pandemic hit, he had to close his doors. He presented the opportunity for me to purchase the company from him, and I couldn’t stand to see such an amazing product that so many people loved disappear from our community. The price was right, and I saw the potential to create something big that could ‘Cultivate Change from Within.

Q: What is your favorite flavor of kombucha? 

A: Hopped Grapefruit by Humm

Q: What is your former/current other life or career? 

A: I am currently a Recreational marijuana farmer and father of 3

Q: What is a saying that you live by?

A: Don’t talk about it, be about it.

Salonii Hamirwasia, Zoh Probiotics, Mumbai, Maharashtra, IND

Q: When did you first discover kombucha?

A: I first discovered kombucha in 2003

Q: Why did you start your own kombucha company?

A: My mission is to make fermented foods accessible to everyone, empowering them to create their probiotic wonders at home.

Q: What is your favorite flavor of kombucha? 

A: Lapsang Souchong or Lavender

Q: What is your former/current other life or career? 

A: Expert Sports Nutritionist – International Olympic Committee, Switzerland

Q: What is a saying that you live by?

A: Be Honest, Be Kind, and Be Loyal … Before You Be Anything Else

 

Jordi Dalmau, MUN KOMBUCHA, Barcelona, Spain

Q: When did you first discover kombucha?

A: I discovered kombucha for health reasons. The organic acids in kombucha help me with liver detoxification, which is challenging due to Gilbert’s Syndrome..

Q: Why did you start your own kombucha company?

A: I started my own kombucha company because the positive impact of kombucha on my health and well-being was so profound that I felt compelled to share it with others. In 2015, I decided to establish my own kombucha brewery and began selling it.

Q: What is your favorite flavor of kombucha? 

A: Arbucha Kombucha Thyme and Mint

Q: What is your former/current other life or career? 

A: Engineer

Q: What is a saying that you live by?

A: Do or do not, there is no try.

Fabio M. Silva, Bombooch Kombucha, Taipa, Macau, CHN

Q: When did you first discover kombucha?

A: I first discovered kombucha in 2019.

Q: Why did you start your own kombucha company?

A: I joined Bombooch for two reasons. First, I believe in the brand’s philosophy of leaving the world better than we found it. This commitment is reflected in our sustainable packaging choices, green sourcing, and the positive impact our product has on customers who feel better after enjoying Bombooch.

B: The second reason is that, from the first sip, I could tell it is a drink that puts the ‘FUN’ in functional. While soda depletes, kombucha replenishes with its highly customizable and fun flavor profiles.

Q: What is your favorite flavor of kombucha? 

A: Soul K Kombucha from Spain, specifically the Super Roots flavor.

Q: What is your former/current other life or career? 

A: Football Academy Development and Coaching

Q: What is a saying that you live by?

A: The best way to predict the future is to create it.

 

Nicholas Delbert Robertson, Rare Combinations LLC, Riverside, CA

Q: When did you first discover kombucha?

A: I first discovered kombucha 2016

Q: How long have you worked with the Kombucha Industry?

A: I have worked with the kombucha industry for 6 years.

Q: What is your favorite flavor of kombucha? 

A: Everlasting Ferments

Q: What is your former/current other life or career?  

A: PhD Student

Q: What is a saying that you live by?

A: Innovation lies at the intersection of fields

 

 

Mika Tanimoto, TSUBOICHI TEA PLACE , Takaishi City, Osaka, JPN

Q: When did you first discover kombucha?

A: I tried my first Kombucha in 2020, and it was from a foreign country (though I’m not sure which one).

Q: Why did you start your own kombucha company?

A: We are originally a Japanese tea manufacturing company, established in 1850. Currently, we are working to preserve Japanese tea culture and showcase the potential of Japanese tea leaves to the world. We believe that by crafting Japanese kombucha with our expertise as tea specialists, we can achieve these goals.

Tea holds a significant place in Japanese culture. While people in Japan used to enjoy loose tea leaves with teapots, nowadays, the majority prefer bottled tea. Consequently, many Japanese beverage companies seek to purchase low-cost tea leaves, often third or fourth harvested leaves, regardless of their quality.

Given this context, Japanese tea culture is facing a crisis. The price of first-harvested green tea leaves, the primary source of income for tea farmers, is declining. This has led to a decline in the number of tea farmers, and current statistics indicate that the average yearly income of tea farmers is only $6,300 USD.

Our brand statement is, “‘IPPUKU’ makes this world more beau-TEA-ful!” ‘IPPUKU’ means ‘Tea break’ in Japanese. We believe that our products can make people around the world (including tea farmers, our brewers, and customers) see more sparkle and beauty through our brand.”

Q: What is your favorite flavor of kombucha? 

A: I liked all the flavors I tried from MUNKOMBUCHA in Spain.

Q: What is your former/current other life or career? 

A: Special education teacher.

Q: What is a saying that you live by?

A: Today is the first day of rest of my life!

 

Aurelija Lapieniene, Yala Kombucha, Mina Port Abu Dhabi, UAE

Q: When did you first discover kombucha?

A: I discovered kombucha in 2016.

Q: Why did you start your own kombucha company?

A: Motivated by passion and willingness to make a positive impact on society, in a region where diabetes is the foremost health concern.

Q: What is your favorite flavor of kombucha? 

A: REAL Kombucha Dry Dragon

Q: What is your former/current other life or career? 

A: Asset Management, Financial Markets

Q: What is a saying that you live by?

A: If everything seems under control, you are going too slow.