Share the post "10 Best Tea for Kombucha in 2024 – Top Picks & Recommendations"
Quick Summary: After having gone through the list and reviewed the pro’s and con’s we’ve branded Assam Black Tea Leaves as the best tea leaves for brewing Kombucha. The environment that 50/50 blend in these tea leaves creates is perfect for the bacteria to grow, resulting in impeccable Kombucha. With Black Tea being the preferred option for Kombucha, Assam’s tea leaves give you the best taste. The Black Tea Leaves are also considered the most oxidized and “fermented” which is perfect for a Kombucha drink. Aside from Kombucha, you can enjoy tea on its own, whether hot, cold, and at any time of the day.
Tea, being one of the most popular drinks in the world, is one of the main ingredients of Kombucha. There are many types of tea, including chamomile tea, peppermint tea, chai, and the most common one, Lipton tea.
With so much variety, it’s hard to pick out the few types that go well with Kombucha. Kombucha is a popular Japanese beverage made by fermenting tea, which makes the selection of the tea very hard since it could make or break the Kombucha.
The decision rests with the user since the type of tea used would ultimately depend on what the user wants the Kombucha to taste like. Kombucha lovers also use it for various health reasons.
After having gone through multiple tea and Kombucha reviews and having read about all their benefits, we’ve made the selection process easier for home brewers by providing you with a list that you need not look any further from.
Whether it’s white tea, green tea, or black tea (also known as red tea), we’ve got you covered and have covered all the aspects that go into choosing a specific tea for your Kombucha.
Quick Navigation:
Comparison of 10 best tea for Kombucha
 | 1. Assam Black Tea Leaves, 200+ Cups (Best Overall)Coming from an award-winning brand that is carbon and plastic neutral, you can expect nothing less of the best. These loose tea leaves are guaranteed to keep you fresh. | Read Our Review |
 | 2. Yogi Tea - Green Tea for Kombucha (Best Budget)This combination of green tea, spearmint, plum, and passion flavors will give your Kombucha all the antioxidants it needs for a beneficial and healthy drink. | Read Our Review |
 | 3. Kombucha.com Certified Organic Loose Leaf Tea100% organic and consistently nutritious, this black tea is the best you will get at the best value. This brand guarantees healthier growth, richer color, and a delicious flavor. | Read Our Review |
 | 4. Get Kombucha, Certified Organic Kombucha Tea BlendThese loose tea leaves will take your Kombucha to the next level with their black tea leaves and green tea leaves which are 100% certified organic and mixed at a 50/50 ratio. | Read Our Review |
 | 5. Kombucha Loose Leaf Black and Green TeaSpecially blended to make Kombucha, these loose tea leaves give you the perfect environment and bacteria ratio to ensure a balanced batch of Kombucha. | Read Our Review |
 | 6. Davidson’s Tea Bulk, Sencha, 16-Ounce BagThis Sencha flavored tea is packed in a Kraft pouch and covered with aluminum foil to preserve the freshness and caffeine in the tea. | Read Our Review |
 | 7. Stash Tea Jasmine Blossom Green Tea, 100 CountFresh taste, when consumed both hot and iced, this green tea is made with jasmine blossoms, and a mellow kick of caffeine. The premium packing keeps the product fresh. | Read Our Review |
 | 8. Taylors of Harrogate English Breakfast, 20 TeabagsA guaranteed full-bodied and rich taste, this classic special blend is sure to refresh you after just a sip. This tea originates from India and East Africa. | Read Our Review |
 | 9. Twinings of London Fujian Chinese Pure White TeaOf fine quality and rich history, this white tea is light, refreshing, and has a pleasant aroma with a delicate flavor. | Read Our Review |
 | 10. Choice Organic Teas Oolong Tea, 16 CountWith an earthy taste and an aromatic character, this gluten-free and kosher oolong flavored tea is one of the most eco-friendly tea’s out there. | Read Our Review |
Reviews of 10 Top Tea for Kombucha
Best Overall
1. Assam Black Tea Leaves for Kombucha
What You Will Love: Originating from India, the popularity of this brand is poetic and is loved by the customers as it comes from deep within the heart of the most popular tea country.
This brand is known to consistently produce the finest black tea in the world and the brand has made it a point to keep their standards on a pedestal.
Carbon and Plastic Neutral
Vahdam Teas make sure that they measure their carbon and plastic footprint and ultimately offset it via their various sustainability initiatives.
Fair Trade
1% of the revenue received goes to the education of growers’ children and the farmers also get a fair share of the produce at a better price.
Well Established
Available in over 83 countries, and sourced directly from the freshest gardens of India, this is an award-winning brand.
Pros:
- Can be served as both black and white tea
- Can be served both hot and cold
- Helps detoxing and weight loss
- Vacuum sealed pack preserves freshness
Cons:
- Might discover the rare twigs here or there in the packaging
Best Budget
2. Yogi Kombucha Tea, 6 Pack, 96 Tea Bags in Total
What You Will Love: Spearmint and Lemongrass harmonizing with Plum and Passion Fruit gives a unique light and fruity taste while it supplies antioxidants to your body at the same time.
Made from 140 exotic spices and botanicals including ginger, cinnamon, clove, black pepper, and cardamom, Yogi Tea Kombucha gives support your overall health while it also uplifts your mood.
30 Years of Heritage
Yogi Tea has perfected its formula inspired by the ancient holistic philosophy of Ayurveda over the past three decades. This functional yet delicious teas carries the secrets of the formulas of the ancient holistic healing philosophy that focuses on the synergistic benefit of herbs.
Highest Quality Ingredients
All botanicals and spices undergo rigorous quality testing before they make their way into the Yogi tea. By this way, their delightful flavors are kept to their core nature as close as possible.
Responsible Production
The brand embraces “Feel Good, Be Good, Do Good” philosophy, supporting quality, social responsibility, and sustainability on a local, national and global level. It respects the planet during production and minimizes its environmental footprint.
Pros:
- USDA Certified Organic and Non-GMO Project Verified
- Gluten free, Vegan and Kosher
- 140 exotic spices and botanicals are blended inside the formula
- The brand exists longer than most brands
- Gives a feeling of happiness and relaxation
Cons:
- Does not taste as strongly as others
- Some users complained about Spearmint being a very strong flavor and overpowering the whole tea
3. Kombucha.com Certified Organic Loose Leaf Tea
What You Will Love: Being a brand that promotes a healthy lifestyle, customers purchase the product for its superior nutrition. A more vibrant color, a better flavor, and pleasant aroma are also promised.
This premium blend of fruits and plants makes the brew delicious and complex. Specifically designed to elevate the flavor of Kombucha.
Organic
All the teas used in this product are carefully selected and imported from well-maintained family farms all across Asia, Africa, and South America
Eco-friendly and Budget-friendly
These loose leaves are 90% cheaper than most Kombucha that you’d get from the store and are all significantly made in a way that’s good for the environment.
Perfect for Kombucha
Using the RBC method tea blends for fermentation, this booster is perfect for flavoring your Kombucha.
Pros:
- Blended and packaged in-house
- Freshness is preserved by the superior quality packaging
- The soothing aroma and delicious taste
Cons:
- Some leaves might be broken down and be in the form of residue
4. Get Kombucha, Certified Organic Kombucha Tea Blend
What You Will Love: The taste plays a big role in the customer satisfaction of this product. Customers love how the Kombucha ends up tasting better than the ones bought from the store.
The product has been around since 2006 and is 100% certified organic. It utilizes green and black tea, perfectly blended for Kombucha brewing.
Perfect Tea Leaf Ratio for Kombucha
A 50/50 blend of loose green and black tea ultimately forms the perfect environment for the growth of bacteria.
Budget-friendly
Make the best quality Kombucha for less than half the price as you would from the store. The green and black tea take the drink to the next level.
Multiple Benefits
Aside from being budget-friendly, this blend also has numerous health benefits and has an impeccable taste.
Pros:
- Can be enjoyed both hot and cold
- Money return policy
- Specifically designed to improve Kombucha taste
Cons:
- Health benefits of this decaf tea have not been approved by the FDA
5. Kombucha Loose Leaf Black and Green Tea
What You Will Love: The quantity of the product is much preferred by customers who love how you can get double the size of loose leaves compared to Kombucha blends.
The tea includes special loose leaves and is imported by the oldest American tea businesses. The traditional blend will give you many more brews for your money.
Hand Blended
The hand-blended batches ensure a much more balanced yeast to bacteria ratio, for the perfect Kombucha brew.
50/50 Blend
Get the perfect brewing and fermenting environment with the specific 50/50 blend of fresh tea.
Next Level
Black and green blended tea makes the best Kombucha and you’ll be able to say that for yourself after using this product.
Pros:
- 50/50 tea leaf blend results in a smoother blend
- Each herbal tea type is true to form
- Packaging keeps the tea fresh in taste and smell
Cons:
- You might find some residue in the packaging due to the tea
6. Davidson’s Tea Bulk, Sencha, 16-Ounce Bag
What You Will Love: Sencha is a more sophisticated flavored variety of green tea, it has a similar grassy taste like the traditional green tea but a little different. Sencha flavored teas are ideal for Kombucha because Sencha is friendly to your SCOBY.
It is advisable to add a mix of black tea, traditional green tea or any other tea for an extra flavor; Jasmine Blossom flavored Tea will give an additional flowery aroma.
The Davidson’s Tea Bulk, made from the freshest and most flavored Chinese cultivated Sencha comes in a pack of 16-ounce bag!
You cannot get a better price for a high-quality Sencha green tea. Unlike most of the tea mentioned in this guide, this product contains loose-leaf tea, which is fresher and gives you more options in brewing kombucha.
Pros:
- The leaves which end up in tea contain caffeine for that extra kick
- All materials used in the production are USDA approved
- Properly packaged with a Kraft pouch and further lined with aluminum foil
Cons:
- The tea is not intended to diagnose any health conditions
7. Stash Tea Jasmine Blossom Green Tea 100 Count Box of Tea Bags in Foil
What You Will Love: Jasmine blossom tea is another variety of green tea, a lot of work and time is spent on the absorption of the fragrance of Jasmine Blossom by the tea, and the process is often repeated till a satisfying result is achieved.
When used to make Kombucha, the flavor absorbed by the tea gives your Kombucha a very sweet aroma.
Asides from sweet aroma, Jasmine blossom flavored green tea contains some of the health benefits of green tea such as boosting the immune system and lowering cholesterol levels.
A pack of The Stash Tea Jasmine Blossom Green Tea contains 100 tea bags, all wrapped individually in aluminum foils.
Pros:
- Infused with jasmine blossoms and a hint of caffeine to give you that extra kick
- Individually packaged to preserve freshness
- Can be enjoyed both hot and cold
Cons:
- Dietary supplements have not been approved by FDA
8. Taylors of Harrogate English Black Tea, 20 Tea bags
What You Will Love: This tea is a special blend of teas from Africa and India, some of the most famous tea growing locations. With a full-bodied and refreshing taste, you are sure this will make your Kombucha taste great.
As a starter tea, this is a great kombucha tea as black tea is the most preferred, as they contain in a generous amount all the essential nutrients your SCOBY needs.
English Breakfast flavored teas improve blood circulation and starter kombucha help with the regulation of digestion.
A box of the Taylors of Harrogate Black Tea contains 20 tea bags and is made of natural ingredients, this is a well-priced tea.
Pros:
- Full-bodied, rich, and refreshing qualities give you the best test
- Bright inviting color
- High in antioxidants, making it perfect for your brewing kombucha
Cons:
- Tea might lose freshness if not stored in a cool and dry place
9. Twinings London Fujian Chinese Pure White Tea
What You Will Love: A traditional tea with a very full-bodied taste and delightful aroma. The Twinings Fujian Chinese Pure White Tea is made from the finest of leaves and grown to industry standards by tested and trusted growers.
Being a pure white tea, this requires some home kombucha brewing experience to get a very flavored taste. Due to the mild nature of white tea, it is very friendly to your kombucha culture.
White teas are high antioxidants and promote the reduction of cholesterol in the body. The Twining Fujian Chinese Pure White comes in six packs, each containing 20 tea bags.
Pros:
- Fresh flavor, with a refreshing aroma and a delicate flavor
- Blenders only pick and cultivate the best leaves available
- No artificial flavors are added giving you the best natural experience
Cons:
- Teabags are not individually wrapped
10. Choice Organic Oolong Tea, 16 Count
What You Will Love: This tea has been created by briefly oxidizing the leaves, has a gentle earthiness with an aroma that delights.
Being an Oolong tea, you have a bit of the benefit and taste of green tea and black tea, combining the tannic element in black tea with the generous amount of polyphenols present in green tea, this tea is very friendly to your SCOBY(symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast) and an excellent choice for your Kombucha.
Healthy benefits of Oolong flavored tea such as the Choice Organic Oolong Tea includes the elimination of body fat and lowering of blood sugar levels. The Choice Organic Oolong tea contains a box of 16 tea bags.
Pros:
- An eco-friendly product, 100% biodegradable and 100% recycled
- Product bag is made of natural fiber and is staple-free
- The tea has an aromatic character and has a delightful taste
Cons:
- Taste might be a little bitter and need adjusting to
How to choose the best Kombucha tea?
Choosing the best tea brand for Kombucha is a bit tricky as there are a plethora of options, but it majorly depends on what you want your beverage to taste like, the specific health benefits you want, the flavor of the tea, and how it relates with your SCOBY.
There is also the question of loose-leaf tea or tea bag, the former is fresher, gives more variety and is less bitter but it is more expensive than the latter. So if you are looking for the cheapest method to make your Kombucha, tea in bags are the way to go.
Our Recommendation for the Best Tea for Kombucha
All the tea mentioned are great choices for Kombucha, the Assam Black Tea Leaves gives the most delighting aroma while the Taylors of Harrogate Black Tea is another great option being a black tea, it is naturally perfect for making Kombucha, but my favorite is the Davidson’s Tea Bulk, Sencha.
The Davidson’s Tea Bulk, Sencha ticks all the boxes here, it is very mild on your SCOBY and produces a great taste for your Kombucha. Being a kind of green tea, it is perfect for those watching their weight.
It is also a loose-leaf tea, and that means less bitter taste, fresher tea, and more variety. A 50/50 blend of black or green tea with the Davidson’s Tea Bulk, Sencha can be used to make fantastic and richly tasty Kombucha.
