The pros: Trader Joe's Organic Cranberry Spiced Apple Kombucha adds to a growing line of popular Kombucha products.
The cons: Kombucha is a bit of an acquired taste. This does have a smidgen of alcohol in it, so if you are avoiding it, please be aware.
The verdict: Most products that are fermented are acquired tastes. Now, just to clarify, I have never had Kombucha, but it seems to be all the rage on Instagram. This is a fermented black tea with some apple, cranberry, and ginger juice. However, juice only consists of 3% of the product. This product is packaged nicely in a glass bottle and it is recommended that it be consumed in three days.
Now, for the items I wasn't quite expecting. When I opened this for the first time, it opened almost like it was carbonated where there was a little release of gas from the top. Then the aroma of vinegar hit me and I knew this drink was going to be a bit different from anything I've had in quite some time.
I did not taste much in the way of tea here. I did feel like I could taste the cranberry, but it almost tasted like someone had thrown a heavy splash of apple cider vinegar into this. It almost had a fizzy mouthfeel. It was tart and sour. Cranberry vinegar soda is basically what this tasted like. Now, there are a number of fermented foods that I like, but this beverage was not one of them.
For $2.69, I won't be buying this again. There are too many good products that cost about the same and don't have the pucker power that this does. I'm 100% positive that there are people who will absolutely love this. Like I start off by saying, fermented is usually an acquired taste and it just didn't jive with my taste buds.
Here is the visual run down of what you get if you buy this product:
The glass bottle of Trader Joe's Organic Cranberry Spiced Apple Kombucha:
The nutritional information:
The ingredients:
Would I buy this again? No, I would not buy Trader Joe's Organic Cranberry Spiced Apple Kombucha again. But then again, if Kombucha is your thing, then I would say give it a whirl (and let me know what you think).
Want to see more items I've reviewed from Trader Joe's? Click on Thoughts & Reviews of Trader Joe's for a searchable list.
Did you try it? Let me know what you think in the comments section!
Alek says
Maybe it would be a great vinaigrette base! Whisk some oil and some spices. Drizzle over salads
becomebetty says
I'll never know. I said goodbye to this after drinking about a quarter of the bottle.
Catherine of VegCharlotte says
Hmmm... Kombucha is an acquired taste but I wonder if perhaps the combination of cranberry and ginger is just a bit too tart for an already tart/sour drink?!! Well, gotta give TJ's props for experimenting and coming out with new products each season.
becomebetty says
I give them props for having new stuff too. I'm know there are people out there who love kombucha. For me personally, I wasn't a fan, but know some people out there would enjoy this. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!
judilyn says
I've been curious about kombucha, so glad that you did the experimenting! Sounds horrid! The sugar content - YIKES - and that is added sugar, not anything to do with the drink ingredients. But . . . to each his own. I like sauerkraut, so maybe I would surprise myself.
Virtual hugs,
Judie
becomebetty says
Sauerkraut is another fermented product, however I like the taste of that. Drinking that sourness was a pass for me. Thanks as always for stopping by!