Apple-based probiotic drink may be a kombucha alternative

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If the kombucha you bought three months ago is still sitting in your fridge, this could be good news.

A new study suggests an apple-based fermented drink rivals kombucha in health benefits but also boasts a more appealing taste.

Brazilian researchers created two new versions of kombucha, replacing its traditional green tea base in one case with passion fruit juice and apple juice in another. They added sugar and a culture of bacteria and yeast, the same mix used to make traditional kombucha.

The researchers let the mixtures ferment for 10 days at room temperature, then analyzed them for acidity, sugar, and alcohol levels, as well as beneficial compounds like flavonoids and phenolics. A small focus group tested the beverage for taste.

They found the apple-based drink had the same number of total flavonoids and phenolics [fen-ALL-ick] as traditional kombucha. These compounds have antioxidant properties that prevent cell damage.

The apple drink also had increased antioxidant activity compared with the kombucha, and it tasted better. The focus group found it to have a pleasant, cider-like taste. The passion fruit-based drink was not as tasty, with the tasters finding it too bitter.

A key difference in the fruit-based drinks is that both had higher alcohol levels than traditional kombucha, which typically has less than half of 1%. The apple drink had 1.65%, while the passion fruit drink had 6.2%.

Still, the study offers a promising alternative to traditional kombucha that could turn what is an unappetizing drink for some into a healthy treat.

If the usual kombucha isn’t to your liking, be on the lookout for apple-based beverages in the future.