The Green Goddess

The recorded history of this drink dates back to the Qin Dynasty in China (around 250 BC). The Chinese called it the "Immortal Health Elixir," because they believed Kombucha balanced the Middle Qi (Spleen and Stomach) and aided in digestion, allowing the body to focus on healing. Knowledge of kombucha eventually reached Russia and then Eastern Europe around the Early Modern Age, when tea first became affordable by the populace. The name "kombucha" is said to have originated in Japan in 415 AD. Reportedly, a Korean physician called Kombu or Kambu treated the Emperor Inyko with the tea. It became known by a combination of the name, "Kombu" and the Japanese word, "cha," meaning tea.[1] However, in Japan, kombucha tea is known as "kocha kinoko" which translates as "mushroom tea". Kombu literally means "kelp" in Japanese[2] and the name "Kombucha" is used to refer to a hot drink made from powdered kelp.