Kombucha with a Kick
Not only are we a locally born café, we also do our best to use and offer locally born products. We are proud of our products made in-house used in our dishes and available to purchase such as our kimchi and peanut butter. We are also always on the search to support other local products to offer our guests something new, different and just darn good, ūmmi being one brand we want to tell you about.
You can’t get more local than ūmmi, the kombucha with an adult kick, often referred to as hard kombucha. Its entire production is made in Portugal. From the tea used to its fermentation process and finally its packaging.
What is kombucha?
In short, kombucha is a fermented tea drink with four ingredients (that we can actually pronounce and know what they are): tea, sugar, yeast and bacteria (also known as Scoby). This fermentation process develops into a delicate effervescent drink that contains no more than 0.5% of alcohol; a natural outcome of fermentation ūmmi takes things one step further to create its hard kombucha.
With its simple ingredients of scoby, yeast, organic green tea, water, raw sugar and juice for the first fermentation process, they then carry out a second fermentation with the help of a second strain of yeast that converts the sugars into alcohol. The result is a refreshing drink with a 6% alcohol volume, organic, vegan, gluten-free and with a sugar content of only 2 grams per 100ml.
What makes ūmmi particularly special and why we are proud of having it available at Mila’s is that it is made in Portugal with Portuguese products and manufacturers.
Born and raised in Portugal
The organic green tea comes from the Azores, more specifically the Gorreana Tea Farm, a family-run business now in its 5th generation, currently led by the two sisters. It is also Europe’s oldest and only remaining tea farm.
The juices used come from fruit grown in Portugal.
The fermentation process is done with the expertise of the Vadia team at their brewery just outside of Porto.
And it is canned in-house, making it one of the first breweries in Portugal to do so, which may seem like not a big deal, but…
Cans are a big deal
We wanted to point out the really interesting story about the cans, because it’s a big deal, not only for the business but also for the planet.
Having cans truly changes a business’ opportunities in many ways. But for ūmmi it also meant it had to be done right.
Many people may not be aware that most cans use a plastic foil wrapping that makes them un-recyclable. Being a member of the 1% for the planet meant that if ūmmi was going to be available in cans, they needed to align with their promise.
The team searched high and low for a partner willing to work with them on finding a solution. The outcome has made the hard work worth it. They’ve pushed innovation by creating printed cans that make them fully recyclable. A can that can proudly and honestly wear the 1% for the planet brand.
And for the fermentation fans out there
Did you know that there is a yearly fermentation festival?
Held in Porto, the C’Azedu Wild At Heart is a fermentation festival organized jointly with Vadia and Porto Beer Fest (OG&ASSOCIADOS) that showcases many fermentation products whether it is beers, kefirs, kombuchas, sourdough and cheese. Held last year in November, keep your eye out for the 2023 edition.
In the meantime, come by Mila’s and try ūmmi this weekend.
