Why kombucha is the fizzy drink for me! – Hayley Matthews

I've been trying to cut down on sugar again as I've seen my intake of fizzy juice creep up.

There are many difficult makes of the drink, including Left Field Kombucha, which launched the first kombucha tea to be brewed in Scotland

I don't like drinking sugar-free substitutes with aspartame, because of what I've read about it. I know, I know, just don't drink fizzy juice! But when it's warm and sunny, I really do like a cold can of something fizzy.

So when Mr Hayley picked up a can of kombucha in the supermarket recently, I was intrigued.

"But what's kombucha?” I thought. Wikipedia’s description was of a "fermented, lightly effervescent, sweetened black or green tea drink commonly consumed for its purported health benefits”.

Oh lovely, a fizzy juice with no sugar, at last!

I'm conscious of my youngest watching what I do and I've caught him at my Irn-Bru when my back’s been turned (that was a fun afternoon!) so welcome to the family, kombucha!

I've tried loads of flavours now but my favourite is peach-flavour Remedy Kombucha. The long-aged brewing process apparently allows the kombucha to develop the maximum amount of live cultures and organic acids – win win.

I've been adding it to my fizzy wine during the summer months. I'm not sure it helps a hangover, however. I think I need a few more weeks of research and Prosecco bottles before I publish my findings.

I'd read that the girls who founded Remedy Kombucha did so in their kitchen. If I can make some space and clear out Mr Hayley's home-brew, I might try and make some myself.

Failing that, I'll just stick to the ones the professionals make and at least I don't need to hide this from the kids.

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