If you think kombucha is just that oddly sour tea your aunt brewed on her kitchen counter next to a mystery jar of pickled something… think again.
Katalyst Kombucha (Greenfield, MA) is on a mission to redefine the way we enjoy this ancient beverage. With decades of fermentation know-how under their belts, the team at Katalyst is bringing kombucha to a whole new level.
Katalyst Kombucha’s story started with a souvenir SCOBY. That “mother” culture sparked a passion for fermentation, which became a business in 2005. This one-time kitchen project quickly grew into a beloved local brand, with their kombucha finding its way into co-ops and markets throughout New England. While the biological makeup of that original SCOBY has evolved, every culture they use today can trace its history back to that very first batch made 20 years ago.
Katalyst was one of the first American kombucha producers during the early wave of popularity in the 2000s. Originally structured as a worker-owned cooperative, the company now has new leadership, including Brands Manager Jason Hunter, who brings 30 years of experience in craft brewing to the table. Jason was keen to share that the team is focused on improving shelf life, refining packaging, and transitioning entirely to sleek 12-ounce cans and draft offerings.
But let’s take a step back for a moment and get back to the product at the center of this piece: kombucha. Kombucha is a fermented tea with ancient origins made by combining sweetened tea with a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast (aka SCOBY). The result is a fizzy, funky, slightly tart, probiotic-rich drink that’s known for its gut-friendly benefits. But not all kombucha is created equal. Some are intensely vinegary, and are not exactly what you'd call drinkable.
That’s where Katalyst stands out. “We want to make kombucha that’s enjoyable to drink first,” Jason explains. “Then you realize you’re also getting the health benefits. We add ingredients to balance the flavor, to bring in sweetness and other elements that round out the profile. What we strive to do at Katalyst is make a really clean and very drinkable product.”
While national brands have started to move in on the kombucha craze, Jason says it’s actually a positive: “It’s always a sign we’re doing something right when the big players start to do what we’ve been doing for years.” Still, he says there’s real value in choosing local.
“When you buy locally made kombucha like Katalyst, you’re getting a product that’s been refrigerated from start to finish, which helps preserve all the health benefits,” he notes. “And from an environmental standpoint, the carbon footprint is much smaller. You're keeping your dollars close to home and supporting your regional economy.”
Katalyst also prioritizes sustainability in sourcing. They use fair trade tea and organic cane sugar, and work with organic and fair trade suppliers wherever possible.
So, what if you’ve never tried kombucha?
Or tried it once and didn’t vibe with it?
Jason’s got a recommendation for you: start with Concord Grape.
“First of all, it’s the one that people don’t think of when they look at kombucha, they kind of overlook grape. But anybody who has that fond, warm, fuzzy feeling from childhood, of Welch’s grape juice, when they drink our grape kombucha, there’s such a strong association to that. This isn’t soda pop grape. This is real Concord grape flavor, and it comes through in such a cool way that I always see a smile on people’s faces because it triggers those childhood memories.”
His personal favorite these days? Mango. “It’s our newest flavor, and honestly, when you work with the product every day, the new stuff keeps it fresh and exciting.”
Behind every batch of Katalyst Kombucha is a crew of passionate people. Jason was quick to spotlight Production Manager Dave Keramaty, calling him “a genius” and crediting him with the consistent quality and creativity behind every can. “We wouldn’t be where we are without the folks who show up every day and make it happen.”
So if you’re kombucha-curious or just ready to explore a more refreshing, flavorful way to support your gut health, give Katalyst a try.
Shop their lineup of Concord grape, mango, ginger, and many other fantastic flavors on the Food Hub.