Where Did Kombucha Come From?
Kombucha has a long history as a folk beverage made in households. In my decades of conversation at farmers markets, I have talked with many people whose grandmothers from China, Russia, and Ukraine make this in their homes in the old country. Many people believe that it began in China, which seems likely since tea culture has its roots there. The transmission of kombucha knowledge would seem to run from China to Russia and then through Germany and Austria to the US.