Jordi Dalmau, Kombutxa, Mataró, Barcelona, Spain

Q: When did you first discover kombucha?

When I was 13 years old I was diagnosed with Gilbert’s Syndrome. It is not a disease but it means that your liver has some trouble detoxing some toxins. As I was getting older I had frequent headaches, always felt tired, long digestions, and so on, but I thought it was normal. Finally a nutritionist give me some dietary guidelines, and I improved quite a lot. In the end, he recommend I eat a bigger variety of fermented food, even kombucha. I had never heard about it. I did not find it in any herbalist. Finally, I got a scoby online and I did it myself. As soon I drank the first glass of kombucha I had the feeling of taking off a 20 kg backpack. Since then I have not taken any more drugs: I feel always full of energy and if I ever have any headache again I just need to drink more kombucha!

Q: Why did you start your own kombucha company?

I was so happy with the benefits on my health of the kombucha I was preparing in my kitchen that I could not stop giving it to all of my friends. At first they were surprised, but later they were enlightened with the new beverage. I had my own office of engineering, but I decided to change my life and start a kombucha brewery to share with everybody what changed my life. Three years later the company is growing and I am totally focused on the miracle of fermentation.

Q: What is your favorite flavor of kombucha? 

My favourite one is GTs Cucumber Mint Lime

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

Now I am a fermentist, but my background is engineering and architecture. Also I am a father of two, it is a great experience!

Q: What is a saying that you live by?

Do… or do not. There is no try (Master Yoda)