KOMBUCHA faq
What makes Seek North kombucha different from all the other kombucha brands?
Seek North is a local, New York-based premium kombucha company. We emphasize the importance of feeling good and being healthy and intentional in a holistic sense, which is why we are certified organic and use only premium organic ingredients. Each batch is brewed the traditional way (not pasteurized, not diluted, and with no added sugars in the second fermentation).
Our product is also alcohol free. We use a unique Spinning Cone Column (SCC) to extract the alcohol content from the kombucha without affecting the bacterial profile or adding heat. This way, we are able to keep all of the useful bacteria and nutrients intact while effectively removing all alcohol content.
Seek North is also one of the few kombucha brands that has made philanthropy a central part of our mission. We know that one of the best and most sustainable ways to feel good is to give back. That is why we donate a portion of our proceeds to Global Lyme Alliance and continuously seek to develop partnerships with other businesses in our community.
Is there added sugar in your kombucha?
We brew our kombucha the traditional way, with no added sugars. The fermentation process ends up metabolizing a great deal of the sugar that naturally occurs in teas, making our kombuchas even lower in sugar than the tea bases we begin with. All kombucha typically has between 7 to 9 grams of sugar in a 14 oz bottle, see individual nutritional panels for exact content.
Does my kombucha need to be refrigerated?
Yes. Kombucha needs to be refrigerated. If left out it can become more vinegary and it will continue to ferment. Similar to shaking a soda bottle, leaving a bottle of kombucha unrefrigerated for too long will build a lot of CO2 content.
What’s the ideal temperature for kombucha?
Kombucha should be stored at 35-40º F.
Is Seek North pasteurized?
Kombucha is a fermented beverage that is most commonly consumed raw (unpasteurized). We don’t pasteurize our kombucha so we can protect the probiotics and nutrients in a living form. Unpasteurized and raw means that our product is not subject to pasteurization via heat or chemical means.
I have some kombucha with expired “Best by dates”. Is it still good?
Yes. Kombucha won’t go bad and will continue to ferment and become more vinegary as time passes. You’ll notice the flavors become more dry and vinegary but it still packs all that probiotic goodness. Extending it's shelf life also means that the product can experience slight shifts in ethanol as the fermentation process continues in the bottle. If you are concerned about higher levels of alcohol in the kombucha then keep to the best buy dates printed on the bottles.
There’s something floating on top of my kombucha, should I drink it?
That floating thing is a Scoby (symbiotic colony of yeast and bacteria), which guarantees that our product is 100% raw and unpasteurized. It’s basically a super-concentrated solid form of kombucha. If you’re a hard core booch drinker you’ll chug this little floater but if you’re a novice, feel free to discard it.
There’s sediment on the bottom of my kombucha. Should I shake it my kombucha?
Naturally occurring yeasts likes to settle on the bottom of kombucha. Shaking kombucha is similar to shaking a bottle of soda, so we don’t recommend doing it! To stir up the contents, just give it a gentle swirl or gently rock the bottle a few times.
How much kombucha can I drink?
Kombucha has different effects on every individual. If you’re fairly new to kombucha we recommend starting with 4 to 8 ounces once to twice a day until your body gets accustomed to it. If the vinegar taste is too strong for you, feel free to dilute your kombucha with water or cold tea if needed. We also recommend drinking as much water as you do kombucha. As you get used to drinking kombucha, you can build it into your daily routine.
Do you have a probiotic breakdown or panel?
Usually if there is a probiotic count on a kombucha label it is because lab made powdered or liquid probiotics were added to the kombucha before bottling. It is the only way kombucha brands can quantify an amount on a label. For example, when you see “2 billion” probiotics that's because probiotics were added to the bottles.
Our product is guaranteed raw, unfiltered and unpasteurized. We do not quantify amounts because we do not add lab made probiotics. All of our probiotics are naturally occurring, and the exact amount will vary slightly from batch to batch. Probiotics like lactobacillus can be found in our kombucha.
Does Seek North Kombucha contain Vitamin B12?
Yes. See our nutritional label for exact Vitamin B12 content.
Does Seek North Kombucha contain alcohol?
We use a state of the art technology, a unique Spinning Cone Column (SCC), which separates the alcohol content from the kombucha without affecting the bacterial profile, or adding heat. This way, we are able to keep all of the useful bacteria and nutrients intact, and remove alcohol effectively. In fact, this process is so effective that Seek North produces the one of the only product lines that is essentially alcohol free (less than .5% alcohol).
We are one of an extremely few kombucha companies nationwide that actually uses this alcohol separation technology.
*Due to fermentation, product may contain a trace amount of alcohol (less than .5% alcohol). These trace amounts of alcohol are similar to what you can find in unpasteurized fruit juices.
If you are concerned about alcohol content/consuming kombucha please consult your doctor accordingly.
Certifications?
We aim to produce the best quality kombucha. This means our booch is 100% certified organic, local, raw, undiluted, zero-additives, and 100% natural. Our product is Certified Organic, and Certified Kosher.
How will drinking kombucha benefit my health?
Well first of all, it’s delicious! And we believe that enjoying the things you put into your body is always good for your health.
The more scientific answer is that kombucha is packed with probiotics, antioxidants, and vitamins, all of which help to maintain gut health, beneficial bacterial biodiversity in your body, and balance in your digestive system. Research continues to demonstrate how fundamental gut health is for your overall wellbeing, and drinking kombucha is one of the simplest ways to keep that gut health on track. Many of our fans also report feeling a clean, natural energy boost after drinking our booch—a boost that feels more productive and less jittery than caffeine.
Which flavor should I try?
Kombucha has a very unique taste and a flavor profile that you probably haven’t encountered before. The great news is that it’s delicious and versatile, and we designed our flavors with different palates in mind, so that there is something everybody will love. Whether you’re looking for tartness, sweetness, or boldness, we’re sure that you’ll find at least one flavor of Seek North kombucha that you swear by!
Can I mix kombucha with alcohol?
Yes. Check out the following page on our website for some refreshing recipes!
Can I cook with kombucha?
Yes. Check out the following page on our website for some refreshing recipes!