More than 2,000 years ago, kombucha—a fermented, slightly effervescent, tea beverage—was likely drunk for the very first time in Northeast China, also known as Manchuria. Hailed for its alleged health benefits, it quickly became popular across the Asian continent, before eventually making its way to Europe in the early 20th century. And in the late 2000s and 2010s, it was, of course, picked up by Hollywood.
jump to the celebrity-approved brands
Now, kombucha seems to be loved by A-listers and wellness advocates everywhere—it’s a common feature on the pages of Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop and Kourtney Kardashian’s Poosh. And the reason behind its popularity, it seems, is the same as it was in ancient China: people believe it can transform their health. But how true is that? We’ve got the lowdown below (as well as some of the best celebrity-approved kombucha brands).