Is Kombucha Halal? A Comprehensive Guide.

Kombucha is a famous drink from old times that is made by tea, sugar, bacteria and yeast. It is basically a soda with vinegar taste. This drink is known for its health benefits and is consumed by large number of people.

As Kombucha is fermented tea and does contain a minute amount of alcohol, it tested the faith of Muslims about its halal status. People liking this drink are in confusion whether this drink is permissible for Muslims or not.

The simple answer to this most searched question(Is Kombucha Halal) is yes, this drink is halal. It contains alcohol that is less than 0.5%. This trace and insignificant amount of alcohol is acceptable in food ingredients. As long as it do not affecting one’s physical or mental health.

Small amount of alcohol is used in many things like chocolates, lemonades, vinegar and so on. Usually, this little amount become evaporated during making and it does not cause intoxication. If you are still in doubt about the kombucha drink’s halal status, let’s explore this further.

Black or green tea can be used. Tea is brewed with sugar. Then, a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY) is added to cooled tea. Fermentation is done at room temperature for 7 to 10 days. Kombucha tea is ready to be bottled. Additional fruit juices or spices are added for flavor-enhancing.

Health-Ade is a famous brand of Kombucha for its delicious flavor. Most commercial kombuchas use less than 0.5% alcohol, which is considered halal according to Islamic dietary laws. However, Health-Ade uses 3% alcohol, which is above the percentage and is considered haram. It is better to check the ingredients and percentage of alcohol before consuming the Health-Ade brand kombucha.

Brew Dr. Kombucha is an American company that specializes in making Kombucha with a variety of flavours. According to this company, they are very careful and restrict about alcohol content in drink. So, Muslims can consume brew dr. kombucha drink.

LO BROS.IP (UK) Limited is famous for kombucha production and other brewing practices. Their kombucha drinks come in various volumes and flavors. Though trace amounts are present in drinks but not crossing limits of halal specific guidelines.

KEVITA is a famous US-based kombucha brand. There is no information regarding the halal or haram status of the drink by brand. It is recommended to check for the halal logo on the drink packaging or read the ingredients.

Kombucha drink made by Equinox company contains low amount of alcohol. So, Muslims consider it halal.

Humm kombucha is a drink company. The alcohol content in kombucha tea is less than 0.5% as advised by US Government. So, humm kombucha is halal.

In organic kombucha no artificial flavors or synthetic chemicals are used. Organic one is also halal if alcohol content is not exceeding 0.5%.

In the making process of kombucha drink, SCOBY consumes sugar and produces alcohol as a by product. But bacteria convert most of it into acetic acid. Also, on a commercial level, manufacturers limit the fermenting time to reduce the amount of alcohol. So Kombucha is a non-alcoholic beverage with less than 0.5% alcohol by volume.

Yes, Kombucha is halal in Malaysia. BFT (BERJAYA Food Trading Sdn Bhd) launched Kombucha in Malaysia and is halal certified by Jakim. JAKIM is an organization in Malaysia that checks the halal status of food and drinks. So, Kombucha is 100% halal in Malaysia.

Though the Philippines is a Christian country, Muslims are also the second largest population here. It is better for Muslims here to check the packaging before purchasing or contact local brands of Kombucha about the alcohol percentage in it.

Yes Kombucha is halal in Germany. It is made up of less than 0.5% alcohol which is considered halal.

Yes, Kombucha with less than 0.5% alcohol content is Halal in the UK.

Is kombucha Zero Sugar Halal?

Yes, zero sugar kombucha is halal. If simple Kombucha is halal than zero sugar kombucha is also halal because it have same ingredients with no sugar.

Does Kombucha Contain Caffeine?

Yes, Kombucha contain caffeine. The tea leaves which is used to make tea naturally contain caffeine. People who are sensitive to caffeins should avoid or limit this drink. Caffeine residuals in drink may cause nausea and anxiety to  caffeine intolerant person.

What Islamqa Says About  kombucha?

According to Islamqa website, this Japanese tea contains very  less amount of alcohol and does not cause insensibility.

Side Effects of kombucha:

Kombucha is healthier option undoubtedly but excess of everything is bad. So consuming too much may lead to stomach upset, nausea, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, sleep deprivation.

           People having weak immune system, liver or kidney diseases , HIV, irritable bowel syndrome should stay away from this drink.

There are different views about kombucha drink in sunni, shia and hanafi school of thoughts. Some regard kombucha haram ,regardless of alcohol quantity. However, according to most scholars, it is permissible as same negligible  amount of alcohol is also found in many other food items.

In this article, halal status of kombucha drink is studied. The final verdict is that kombucha tea is halal due to low content alcohol by volume. And it is also recommended for Muslims living in European countries to check alcohol % in the ingredients list.