Kombucha vs Kefir

Kefir and kombucha are both types of fermented drinks. They have a wide range of health benefits, from improving the health of your gut microbiome to enhancing your immune system. Kombucha and kefir are often mentioned together, so if you’re wondering what the difference is between kombucha and kefir, you’re in the right place. Here we’ll reveal all, including what they are, how they’re made and what they taste like. This is the biggest showdown the world of fermented drinks has ever seen, this is kombucha vs kefir. Here’s what to expect…

1. What’s the Difference Between Kombucha and Kefir?
2. How are Kombucha and Kefir Made?
3. Kombucha vs Kefir: What do they taste like?
4. Is Kefir Better than Kombucha?
5. The Benefits of Kombucha vs Kefir
6. Things to Consider when Drinking Kombucha and Kefir

What’s the Difference Between Kombucha and Kefir?

Beginning life with a sugar-containing liquid and a SCOBY culture, Kombucha and Kefir are fermented drinks that can be enjoyed as part of a healthy diet. And while they both work wonders for gut health, there are several differences between the two. Firstly, they taste completely different because Kefir is traditionally made with milk, while kombucha is usually brewed from green tea – this often makes kombucha the preferred choice for vegans or those on a dairy-free diet. There are several nutritional differences, too.

How are Kombucha and Kefir Made? 

Kombucha is made from green tea, spring water, cane sugar, organic botanicals and a SCOBY. The cultures break down the sugars and tea before they’re removed from the brew along with any sediment. Then, it’s just a case of adding some fizz and it’s ready to enjoy. You can read more about how we make our drinks here.

Kefir is made from kefir grains, which ironically aren’t grains at all, they’re actually a cluster of bacteria. These are added to fresh warm milk which begins the fermentation process. Once fermented, the kefir grains are strained leaving a creamy cultured drink. It can also be made using coconut or plain water to make kefir water, however this is not as common.

Kombucha vs Kefir: What does it Taste like?

Kombucha and kefir have very different flavours. Kefir has a creamy texture similar to yoghurt as well as quite a sour taste. And kombucha is much thinner with a slight fizz and acidic notes; it has a very distinctive taste. Both of them come in a variety of flavours, mostly fruit flavoured such as Wild Berry or Pink Grapefruit & Guava.

Is Kefir Better than Kombucha?

The main benefit of drinking Kefir and Kombucha is that they’re a great source of probiotics that are amazing for gut health. But if you’re questioning whether Kefir is better than Kombucha, there are some variances we should take a look at. Kefir is higher in calories, protein, fat, carbs, fibre and sugar. It also contains calcium, sodium, vitamin A and D. On the other hand, Kombucha is very low in calories and contains Vitamin A, B, C, copper, zinc, iron and manganese. The best way to decide which you prefer is to try them both and see which suits you and your body most. Overall, both Kefir and Kombucha are healthy options that offer many amazing benefits.

The Benefits of Kombucha vs Kefir

Kombucha

Kombucha has been known to promote a healthy gut and digestion, and it’s low in sugar and packed with antioxidants and naturally occurring acids. It can even support a weight loss diet, so it tastes good and does good, too! It contains live cultures and energising enzymes, to give you a little lift. And it’s been suggested that the ‘friendly bacteria’ in Kombucha can help to fight against the bad bacteria that can make us unwell. Learn more about the health benefits of Kombucha here. 

Kefir

Many people claim that Kefir improves their digestion, which may be down to the probiotics creating a healthy balance in the gut. What’s more, the fermentation process also helps to break down the lactose in milk, making it even more gentle on the gut. Adding to that, Kefir has been known to support weight loss, promote bone health and reduce inflammation. So, there are definitely benefits to drinking both Kombucha and Kefir.

Things to Consider when Drinking Kombucha and Kefir

Kombucha

We’ve all heard the phrase ‘everything should be enjoyed in moderation’. And the same rule applies to both Kombucha and Kefir. Let’s take a look at Kombucha – whilst it’s great for gut health, it does contain caffeine, sugar and alcohol, albeit in very low volumes. Equinox Kombucha is low in sugar, alcohol and caffeine but these volumes can be higher in other Kombuchas or in homemade batches, so it’s best to approach these with caution. 

Kefir

Kefir is also good for gut health, but since most Kefir contains milk (unless it’s made with dairy milk alternatives, kefir water or aqua kefir), it’s not suitable for vegans or those who are lactose intolerant. Kefir is also much higher in calories, and all too often contains high amounts of sugar, especially the flavoured kind. As we all know, sugar is not a great asset to any diet and it can be an issue for people with diabetes or high blood sugar.

All in all, both Kombucha and Kefir are fantastic drinks that are both healthy in their own ways. And you really don’t need to pick one over the other, there’s plenty of room in most people’s diets to include both. If you’re new to Kombucha and you fancy trying it out, take a look at Equinox’s range of award-winning flavours.