In late 2009, Kombucha Wonder Drink introduced three canned versions of their most popular kombucha blends: Asian Pear & Ginger, Traditional and Green Tea & Lemon (which is the same blend as their bottled Essence of Lemon). I would give the (more expensive) bottled version of Asian Pear & Ginger only three stars, but at about $1.50 a can, this is a value kombucha with wide appeal.
Packaging & Ingredients
Although Kombucha Wonder Drink's canned kombucha isn't as visually appealing as its bottled kombucha, it isn't bad. The narrow cans are reminiscent of Ito En's Sencha Shots and the graphics are appealing.
Within the can, there's a blend of oolong tea, pasteurized,* oolong-based kombucha, cane juice, ginger extract, pear flavor and other natural flavors. Each 8.4-ounce can contains eight grams of sugar.
* Pasteurization nearly eliminates chances of contamination and lowers/stabilizes the alcohol content. In my experience, the pasteurization and/or blending also reduces the mind/body effects of kombucha.
Within the can, there's a blend of oolong tea, pasteurized,* oolong-based kombucha, cane juice, ginger extract, pear flavor and other natural flavors. Each 8.4-ounce can contains eight grams of sugar.
* Pasteurization nearly eliminates chances of contamination and lowers/stabilizes the alcohol content. In my experience, the pasteurization and/or blending also reduces the mind/body effects of kombucha.
Aroma, Flavor & Aftertaste
Asian Pear & Ginger has an intense pear aroma with an underlying vinegar note that's typical for most kombucha blends.
The flavor has abundant pear and some apple notes, followed by kombucha's characteristic tartness and less ginger flavor than I had hoped for. It's quite sweet compared to Wonder Drink's other blends, despite the fact that it has less sugar than some of them.
The aftertaste is cloyingly sweet. It wasn't my "cup of tea," but soda drinkers will probably love it.
The flavor has abundant pear and some apple notes, followed by kombucha's characteristic tartness and less ginger flavor than I had hoped for. It's quite sweet compared to Wonder Drink's other blends, despite the fact that it has less sugar than some of them.
The aftertaste is cloyingly sweet. It wasn't my "cup of tea," but soda drinkers will probably love it.
Overall Opinion
This is a kombucha with mass appeal and a good value. Although more serious tea drinkers will probably find it to be too sweet, I highly recommend it to soda drinkers, pear lovers and flavored tea fans.
