You’ve been drinking it, homebrewing it, or a little of both, but are you pronouncing your new favorite beverage correctly?
I think my dad pronounced it Kom-Boo-Ka a few times, and by simply looking at the word, I’d probably say it like Kom-Butt-Cha, but the reality is neither of those is correct.
If you’re wondering how to pronounce kombucha, “Com-Boo-Cha” is the most widely agreed upon way to say it!
Some additional mispronunciations I’ve heard are:
- “Cam-boo-cha”
- “Kon-boo-cha”
If you’ve mispronounced the word, you’re not alone. It doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue, does it?
What Does The Word Kombucha Mean?
It’s widely agreed that the meaning comes from a fermented kelp tea named Kombu (seaweed) + Cha (tea), made in Japan, although you’ll find no seaweed in modern-day kombucha!
Where Does Kombucha Come From?
The origins of kombucha date back 2000 years, all the way back to the Qin Dynasty in China, where archaeologists found evidence of fermented tea; however, this is different from where the name originated.
One story says Dr. Kombu, a Korean physician, brought the fermented tea to Japan in 414 BCE as a curative for Emporer Inkyo and that the name kombucha was derived from his last name.
Another story states it came from East Asia and came into Germany via Russia. Some say it’s from Manchuria, and others say it’s from Japan.
You get the picture; the origins of the drink, the name’s meaning, and overall history are murky at best, so you’ll just have to pick your favorite story and stick with it.
Another explanation is that English speakers misunderstood the word kombucha to mean fermented tea instead of kelp tea and just went with it. Seems plausible!
Other Kombucha-Related Terms
SCOBY, the pancake-like disk that assists with fermentation and protection, is pronounced “Sc-oh-bee”, it’s mispronounced primarily as “Scoo-bee” like the ghost-hunting dog from the kids’ TV show.
JUN Tea is a kombucha variation made with honey instead of cane sugar. It’s pronounced just like it looks like “J-un,” so there is nothing to overcomplicate here.
What’s Next?
Now that you’ve learned how to pronounce kombucha and other related terms correctly, it’s time to homebrew a batch, and you can learn all about it right here.
Cheers!