SOMEBUCHA health+ drink from The Vira Garden Co., Ltd. had its official debut during THAIFEX-Anuga Asia 2025 at the end of May this year. This bubbly beverage is the world's first sparkling date drink using a kombucha starter culture. It is made with fresh dates and combined with kombucha and instantaneously makes a one-and-only 100% natural health drink that combines traditional taste with modern probiotics! This fermented beverage product development represents a remarkable example of ingredient-based fermented beverage innovation.
Date-Infused Kombucha: A Unique Beverage Combining Traditional Flavors with Digestive Benefits - SOMEBUCHA Health+ Drink Launch
SOMEBUCHA health+ drink from The Vira Garden Co., Ltd. had its official debut during THAIFEX-Anuga Asia 2025 at the end of May this year. This bubbly beverage is the world’s first sparkling date drink using a kombucha starter culture. It is made with fresh dates and combined with kombucha and instantaneously makes a one-and-only 100% natural health drink that combines traditional taste with modern probiotics! This fermented beverage product development represents a remarkable example of ingredient-based fermented beverage innovation.
Product Uniqueness and Origin
- SOMEBUCHA health+ is produced using fresh dates that are purposely selected and sourced from The Veera Garden: a farm recognized for their low-carbon farming techniques and certified outside of the ThaiGAP standard.
- The drink is naturally fermented without any artificial coloring or flavoring, demonstrating cutting-edge fermented drink development techniques.
- It contains kombucha’s postbiotics and includes fresh dates that are high in natural fibers and nutrients.
- This recipe helps to relieve constipation, bloating, and diarrhea in the gut while giving the body immune support and aiding in digestion.
- It is also suitable for those coping with blood sugar, due to the presence of the natural sweetener and balanced ingredients. [1]
Fermentation Process and Benefits
Kombucha fermentation typically lasts for 7 to 15 days under controlled conditions at room temperature. This natural fermentation process makes use of a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY) that consumes sugars and produces organic acids, vitamins, enzymes, and bioactive compounds. Accordingly, in SOMEBUCHA, the fermentation of fresh dates:
- Improves polyphenol content and antioxidant activity resulting in health promoting properties.
- Produces organic acids that effectively lower pH and produce a mildly acidic environment that inhibits the growth of harmful microbes.
- Releases enzymes that provide further bioavailable nutrients and anti-inflammatory compounds benefiting gut health.
- Utilizes the polyphenol, fiber, and antioxidant benefits of the date, combined with the functional probiotics and postbiotics derived from kombucha.
This symbiotic fermentation yields a naturally sweet and sour, sparkling drink, without using artificial products. This embodies the latest advances in beverage product development. [2]
Pricing and Nutritional Benefits
- Price: Bt 250, or about US$7.72, per bottle.
- Offers nutritional benefits, containing prebiotics, dietary fiber, and natural source energy.
- Contains natural sweetness due to dates, therefore has no need for added sugars.
- Advertised as a functional, naturally derived drink to ease constipation and support people with sensitive bowels.
Positioning and Consumer Appeal
- Available in a ready-to-drink (RTD) option, it is designed for working adults in the fast-growing market segment of those looking for healthy and convenient nutrition options.
- Targeting adults ages 35-50 with digestive discomforts such as IBS, constipation and diarrhea.
- Arphaporn Sangsawang, Marketing Manager at The Vira Garden, noted that the drink is a friendly-flavored product, with good balance of fragrance, natural sweetness, and sourness – and importantly, not a vinegar-like taste like many other kombuchas.
- Appeals to a newer generation of consumers seeking gut health and functional drinks, who do not have to sacrifice taste or convenience.
Expansion and Target Markets
- Plans to export SOMEBUCHA health+ to Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Philippines, Myanmar, and India.
- Currently seeking importers and distributors in new regional markets. [1]
Kombucha Market Growth and Trends
The debut of SOMEBUCHA health+ aligns with a thriving global kombucha market:
- The global kombucha market is expected to rise from USD 3.36 billion in 2024 to USD 4.02 billion in 2025 at a CAGR of 19.6%.
- Expected value in 2029 is USD 7.86 billion+, propelled by health and wellness trends, increasing demand for functional beverages, and greater variety and availability worldwide.
Primary Growth Drivers:
- Consumer recognition of the benefits of natural, organic, and clean-label ingredients in products.
- Understanding the positive effects of postbiotics and probiotics with respect to gut health.
- Growth in professional and business to consumer sales channels and e-commerce accessibility.
- Branding of functional beverages associated with lifestyle and wellness enhancing mainstream appeal. [3]
Health Benefits of Kombucha and Dates in Functional Drinks
Advantages of Kombucha
- Provides both probiotics and postbiotics that may contribute to a balanced gut biome.
- May potentially offer anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immune-supporting health effects.
- The fermentation adds complexity to the flavor profile that customers enjoy.
Advantages of Dates
- Contains fiber that may encourage digestive regulation.
- Dates contain antioxidant compounds that may alleviate oxidative stress in the body.
- May assist in decreasing the consumption of added sugars through its natural sweetness. [4]
Health Benefits of Kombucha and Dates
SOMEBUCHA health+ is a different ready-to-drink market option with its natural functional beverage made from the following:
Benefit | Kombucha | Dates |
Gut Health | Contains probiotics and postbiotic | High fiber supporting digestion |
Antioxidants | Increases polyphenols | Rich in antioxidants and micronutrients |
Immune Support | Bioactive compounds | Boosts immunity |
Blood Sugar Control | Includes organic acids and enzymes | low glycemic index natural sugar |
Metabolism Boost | Polyphenols can increase metabolic activity | natural energy from sugar |
Because of the drinks carbonation and natural fruit essence, it would be an easy beverage to consume.
How SOMEBUCHA Health+ Stands Out
Feature | SOMEBUCHA Health+ | Typical Kombucha Drinks |
Base Ingredient | Fresh dates from certified sustainable farm | Brewed tea and sugar |
Fermentation Process | Natural kombucha fermentation without additives | Traditional kombucha cultures |
Flavor Profile | Naturally sweet and sour, aromatic, low vinegary taste | Often strong vinegary flavor |
Functional Benefits | Combines prebiotics, postbiotics, and fiber | Primarily probiotics |
Packaging | Sparkling RTD natural functional drink | RTD bottles, sometimes cans |
Target Market | Adults with digestive health concerns | Wellness and probiotic consumers |
Market Trends Supporting SOMEBUCHA Growth
Increasing Demand for Functional Drinks Products
Consumers are demanding beverages that provide health benefits, such as digestive health, immune support, and blood sugar control. Products with a functional ingredient profile from several functional ingredients (for example, SOMEBUCHA’s unique formulation using dates and kombucha) easily addresses this market demand.
Convenience and Fit into Lifestyle
Ready-to-drink (RTD) products fit into the fast-paced, health-savvy consumer lifestyles, allowing them to have accessible, natural, wholesome beverages. SOMEBUCHA’s product is a delicious option containing nothing artificial.
Sustainability and Transparency
Sustainably sourced from low carbon-impact farms and manufactured sustainably are things consumers care about, and SOMEBUCHA promotes ethically sourced products like those from its date farms, building brand loyalty. [5]
Conclusion
SOMEBUCHA health+ drink is an intriguing blend of traditional sweetness from dates with the functional consumption of kombucha fermentation producing a sparkling drink with benefits that consumers will enjoy at any time of day. The growth of the kombucha category of drinks is exploding worldwide, and SOMEBUCHA showcases on the natural ingredients in its product, sustainable methods of sourcing its products, and taste for consumers who focus on benefits, taste, and quality. SOMEBUCHA aims to not only target health-conscious consumers in Thailand, but across Asia through practical export plans, to take advantage of increased demand for functional drinks products.
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