As we see an increasing rise in interest about gut health, kombucha has been at the forefront of it all. This fermented tea has already made the list as one of the top 2020 food trends. We talked to founders Manon Colmant and Mark Jones a little bit about Kombucha and why it could be part of a healthy lifestyle during lockdown.

Keeping healthy during lockdown is key for South Africans, how can Happy Culture be part of a healthy living during this time?

This lockdown period definitely offers us all an opportunity to internally check in with ourselves, getting much needed time for resting, recharging and regenerating. With that of course is a great time to also check in with our health, and a great time to establish new healthy habits. For people who normally consume artificial, high sugar beverages – this is a great time to substitute these with healthier alternatives – our kombucha offering a great option for this. For those who usually consume alcohol, this is also a great time to enjoy kombucha either as an alternative to alcoholic beverages, or even as a mixer to your favourite spirits (instead of high sugar tonics and other conventional mixers).

For those with gut health troubles, now that you can cook and eat at home every day, this time offers a perfect opportunity to heal and restore your gut health – through doing a gut cleanse, or simply eating lots of wholesome plant based foods, treating yourself to lots of rest and enjoying kombucha, which is bubbling with living probiotics, on a daily basis.

Happy Culture Kombucha Background

Inspired by its incredible benefits for gut health, the founders of Happy Culture, Manon Colmant and Mark Jones, have harnessed its properties to produce a range of exceptional happy Culture kombucha beverages. Drawing on their Cap Classique and Champagne backgrounds, they set about creating brews which are beautifully balanced on the palate and have a low sugar, dry style, with a delicate, but lively effervescence.

‘We have chosen to use a 100% green tea base, which leads to a style that is fresh, clean and elegant. We use mineral water and high-quality ingredients to ensure our cultures stay healthy and happy, resulting in delicious tasting ferments. All our brews are true to this signature style and each blend offers a unique expression of flavour and aromatic sensations.’

Why Is A Healthy Gut So Important? Especially During A Spread Of Illness Like This?

The gut plays an important role in our overall health and wellbeing. It can help control everything from our digestion, to our mood, brain health, inflammation and immune function. In short, a healthy gut is key to a healthier, happier life. During this pandemic, it is now more important than ever to ensure you have a strong immunity, and balance within your body and mind. 70% of our immune cells that help fight against disease are stored in the gut. Looking after the gut can therefore help prevent and fight against disease. Furthermore, 95% of our serotonin is stored in our gut. Known as as the happy-neurotransmitter, serotonin contributes to feelings of wellbeing, plays a crucial role within the gut-brain axis, and in functions such as sleep, appetite and mood. Keeping a healthy, happy mind is particularly important in these times to help fight against potential anxiety and stress and remain internally peaceful amongst the chaos.

How Are You Guys Coping During Lockdown As A Small Business?

Our products are classified as essential goods, and therefore we are lucky to be able to continue brewing, bottling and distributing our kombucha during lockdown. However, due to the fact that a big portion of our market is an ‘on-the-go’ market, paired with the general economic struggle, our sales have dropped significantly. We are doing everything we can to keep the company afloat and to ensure we can make it through to the other side stronger than ever – there are so many lessons to be learnt !

Kombucha’s Beneficial Properties

Happy Culture kombucha’s properties include gut-loving probiotics, organic acids, antioxidants, vitamins and digestive enzymes, which all work to improve gut flora, boost immunity and vitality, and balance and detoxify the body. Making this the perfect beverage to kick-start a healthy new year.

Manon and Jones note, ‘The gut plays an important role in overall wellbeing. It can help control everything from our digestion, to mood and brain. In short, a healthy gut is key to a happier life. We must therefore have a holistic and integrative approach when looking to heal and optimise our gut health.’

How Kombucha Can Improve Your Overall Happiness

There’s a buoyant positivity that underpins Happy Culture and Manon and Mark imbue ‘happy vibrations’ into their products using the radiant effects of Himalayan salt lamps, 432 Hz music and Rose Quartz crystals.

“Yes, a whole lot of good vibes are present. We have aimed to create a perfect environment for our cultures to thrive. We hope that our Happy Culture kombucha brews will carry this happiness frequency all the way to those who drink them.”

Where Can Consumers Get Their Happy Culture fix during lockdown?

Most of our retail stockists are open during lockdown. This includes Pick n Pays, Food Lovers Markets, a range of Spars, Wellness Warehouses and health stores. A few of our products are also available online through the Faithful to Nature site.

Happy Culture Kombucha General Information

Price: 340ml bottle : R24.99 – R30.00 | 850ml bottle : R55.00 – R62.00

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