Review: our best kefirs and kombuchas
by Holly Wood,
2018 was a great year for fermented foods, and the trend is only likely to grow bigger this year. Near the top of our fermented food list sits kefirs (usually a fermented milk or water base and kombuchas (a fermented tea), both fantastic products that are good for the gut.
The Radiance team tried out some of the mainstream products available on the market to give you our thoughts on the best products out there.
Rhythm Raw Pressed Pure Coconut Kefir – 126g
Credit: @rhythmkefir
- Organic: no
- Raw: yes
- Vegan: yes
With a coconut base, this kefir is suitable for any plant-based diet. It’s noticeably less sour and fizzy than some other diary alternatives, however the texture is a little unusual. We weren’t sure if this kefir worked on its own but may be great poured over mixed berries or in a pudding.
Best for:
- Taste: 2/5
- Value for money: 3/5
Daylesford Cultured Milk Kefir – 500ml
Credit: @daylesfordfarm
- Organic: yes
- Raw: no
- Vegan: no
The quality of Daylesford is excellent and with a fantastic balance of creaminess and tanginess, it’s a bit of a luxury as far as dairy kefirs go. Though a little on the expensive side, this kefir is great for smoothies or as a yoghurt replacement due to its fairly low levels of natural sugars and being an excellent source of protein. However, avoid if you have any issues with dairy.
Best for:
- Taste: 4/5
- Value for money: 3/5
Purearth Coconut and Lime Water Kefir- 330ml
Credit: @purearthlife
- Organic: yes
- Raw: yes
- Vegan: yes
Purearth’s kefirs are fairly unique in terms of being water-based and are great for people who want to avoid anything ‘milky’. The taste is great, and whilst it doesn’t necessarily taste like it’s doing you much good, it has very low sugar content and has the added benefits of Vitamins B2 and B12. With its sophisticated flavour, this kefir makes a great alcoholic drink replacement and is great for evenings.
Best for:
- Taste: 4/5
- Value for money: 3.5/5
Pro Fusion Kombucha – Baobab, Mint & Pomegranate – 330ml
Credit: @profusionorganic
- Organic: yes
- Raw: yes
- Vegan: yes
Whilst we loved the packaging, we found this Kombucha quite overwhelming, with a slightly artificial taste. It does contain refined sugar, so we’d probably avoid this in the future, but that being said, it would make a good alternative for anyone who has a fizzy drink habit they need to break!
Best for:
- Taste: 2.5/5
- Value for money: 3/5
Credit: @biotiful_dairy
- Organic: yes
- Raw: no
- Vegan: no
Biotiful is slightly thinner than other kefirs we’ve tried, which makes it easier to drink on its own, however it does also contain quite high levels of natural sugars. It’s not as luxurious as the Daylesford version, but is a good, budget-friendly alternative, that’s suitable for every day.
Best for:
- Taste: 4/5
- Value for money: 3/5