Costco Wholesale has a bit of everything. If you've been interested in trying Costco coconut shrimp, they seem to have at least a couple of options: the Aqua Star Coconut Breaded Butterfly Shrimp, Clean Tail, 16-20 ct, 2.5 lbs, and then the Royal Asia Coconut Shrimp with Sweet Thai Chili Sauce, 2 lbs.

I purchased the Royal Asia Coconut Shrimp with Sweet Thai Chili Sauce from Costco.

How to Cook the Frozen Coconut Shrimp

For best results, bake or air fry them. To bake, place the shrimp in a single layer on a sheet pan and bake at 400 degrees F for about 18 minutes or until golden brown. The directions say to flip them halfway through.

If you want to skip the oven, try the air fryer. To air fry the shrimp, heat them at 400 degrees F for about 8 minutes and flip them halfway through. 

The Taste of the Coconut Shrimp

The coconut is crispy and tasty. As the name of the frozen coconut shrimp would suggest, it has a deep coconut flavor with the texture of shredded coconut. The shrimp have tails which are easy to remove. The shrimp themselves seem small compared to the amount of coconut on them.

When you use the Thai chili sauce, there is quite a lot of sugar. I actually never ended up using this because the coconut shrimp had a lot of flavor on its own.

Nutrition Facts

The nutrition facts say that there are 8 servings, each 4 oz. This includes the Thai chili sauce, but there are no nutrition facts if you choose to skip the sauce.

Each serving is 390 calories and 24 grams of total fat, 9 grams of saturated fat, 34 grams of carbs, 11 grams of protein, 2 grams of fiber, and 17 grams of sugar.

Final Thoughts - The coconut shrimp are tasty, but there's more coconut than shrimp

I found this in the frozen fish and seafood area of the store. It was on sale at the time, so I decided to buy it. I like the taste and texture; I just feel that the amount of coconut to shrimp is off. There seems to be a lot of coconut and small pieces of shrimp.

Costco has plenty of good deals, so this is already a good value and a delicious way to mix up how you eat shrimp. The shrimp are ready, so you don't have to clean, devein, or do anything other than pop them in the oven or air fryer.

Overall, I enjoyed the flavor, and it's a good item to have on rotation at home. I wouldn't stock it permanently, but it's nice to have when you want something different. These shrimp are fun to bring to a party or for a family dinner when you don't want to make everything from scratch.

LAVO San Diego has a large space with windows to let in the sunlight. Stay through nightfall and you'll witness the restaurant transform. Much like the sun setting, the dining room lights dim every once in a while until you're left with a lowlight. You can hear the restaurant buzzing with life; the chatter hums through the 15-foot high ceilings. LAVO San Diego guests include couples on dates, groups of friends, some trios. At the large bar area, a barstool sits between one man in a black suit, black socks, and black loafers and one man blue t-shirt, blue jeans, and flip flops. LAVO San Diego doors open at 5 pm every evening. Come for LAVO's playful cocktails and dinner. Enjoy the evening and stay until 11 pm, or 12 am on Fridays and Saturdays. Cheers!

LAVO San Diego serves up cocktails and food until 12 am on Friday and Saturday.

LAVO Italian Restaurant in Downtown San Diego

The restaurant is located in Downtown San Diego at 611 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101, LAVO Italian restaurant serves appetizers, salads, brick oven pizzas, housemade pastas, specialty cocktails, and more. 

The dining room area has 235 seats. Tao Group Hospitality Chief Culinary Officer Ralph Scamardella created a menu of dishes to delight your tastebuds. Popular items include the delicious pasta truffle dish, Truffle Ricotta Cavatelli, truffle fries, 20-layer chocolate cake with peanut butter mascarpone. Learn more on their website!

There are many fantastic restaurants, eateries, and bars in the city's historic Gaslamp Quarter. The Gaslamp is a lively neighborhood with artisan markets, live music, skate Sundays during the summer, and so much more. 

Pictured here are the chopped antipasto salad, the garlic bread, and The Meatball from LAVO Italian restaurant.

Appetizers

On the LAVO restaurant San Diego menu, you can find popular appetizers such as the Baked Clams Oreganata made with Littleneck Clams, toasted breadcrumbs, and garlic butter or the garlic bread that comes with three types of dipping sauces: Basil Pesto, Marinara, and Gorgonzola Dolce. As a garlic lover, I loved the garlic bread as well as the variety of sauces to dip it in. If you enjoy the acquired taste that is Gorgonzola, you will love that sauce. I also tried the tuna tartare made with diced yellowfin tuna, avocado, crispy garlic, black olive dressing, and little crispy crackers. 

The Meatball

The Meatball is the noticeable one pound Wagyu meatball served with marinara and a creamy fresh whipped ricotta. The Meatball is photo-worthy and video-worthy, perfect for foodies and anyone who loves head-turning food. The meat is tender, moist, flavorful, and almost melts into your mouth.

Salad

The chopped antipasto salad has gem lettuce, a variety of Italian cured meats, provolone, artichokes, roasted peppers, pepperoncini, marinated mushrooms, green beans, cherry tomatoes as well as the Creamy Italian Dressing. 

House Specialties

Then there are the house specialties like the Chicken Marsala or the grilled branzino with heirloom tomato, Panzanella, and salsa verde.

Pasta

Savor the flavor of housemade pasta. If you like truffle, mushroom, and pasta then you really can't go wrong with the Truffle Ricotta Cavatelli. This truffle pasta dish is decadent and scrumptious. Made with crema, mushroom ragu, and shaved truffle.

Brick Oven Pizzas

Brick oven pizzas are known for the char flecks, the texture, the taste. They make a statement, especially if you love pizza crust. LAVO Italian restaurant San Diego serves pizzas such as the Angry Maria with Calabrian chili, tomato, vodka sauce, basil pesto, and fresh mozzarella cheese.

Desserts

Notable desserts include the tiramisu or the 20 Layer Chocolate Cake made of chocolate devil’s food cake and peanut butter mascarpone.

Cocktails

Reviewers talk about the Sicilian Cartel with Dos Hombres Mezcal, fresh lime, egg white, and grapefruit cordial. I tried the Amalfi G N'T with Malfy Gin, Fever Tree Tonic, Italicus Bergamont, juniper, laurel bay, and lemon, delightfully botanical!

Information

• LAVO San Diego Address: 611 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101
• Phone number: (619) 762-5286 
• Chief Culinary Officer Ralph Scamardella
• Find it located in the city's historic Gaslamp Quarter in San Diego
• Popular items at LAVO San Diego include the truffle cavatelli, the truffle fries, and garlic bread.
• LAVO Website

Windmill Food Hall in Carlsbad, California is tucked in beautiful North County San Diego. This is the quintessential place to hang out if you're with a group of friends or family members and y'all can't decide where to eat. Each person can find amazing food options, craft beer selections, creative craft cocktails, and more to suit their taste under one roof. 

There are pastries, pizza, meat, BBQ, and other options. Food halls are all the rage thanks to their diversity of food and convenience. 

Windmill Food Hall is located in the iconic windmill building in Carlsbad, CA. The address is 890 Palomar Airport Road Carlsbad, California 92011. There is food, drink, happy hour, some outdoor seating and patio seating. If you are in the mood for coffee, check out my post on all the Carlsbad Coffee Shops. Carlsbad is near Oceanside, San Marcos, Vista.

Windmill Food Hall Hours

Windmill Food Hall is open daily.

Food Vendor Hours

Sunday-Thursday 11 am - 8 pm 

Friday-Saturday 11 am - 9 pm 

* Corner Coffee and El Puerto open daily at 8 am *

Bar Hours

Sunday-Thursday 11 am - 9 pm 

Friday-Saturday 11 am - 11 pm

Windmill Food Hall - Food Vendors

Pick a place to eat at or mix and match with friends. Find something for each person's different tastes. There are benches and space to sit. You'll find food and drink options in this bustling food hall. The convenient ordering system allows you to order without having to wait for table service. Windmill Food Hall is a great environment for families with little kids. It also has open seating areas and benches.

Bomb Burgerz 

New at Windmill Food Hall.

Cacio

Build your own pasta and eat some classic Italian delights at Cacio. They have appetizers, soup, salad, subs, and chefs specials like their carbonara or the chicken tequila penne. The build your own pasta allows you to pick your noodles, sauce, and veggies. You can add protein or other sides for an additional fee.

Corner Coffee

Come to Windmill Food Hall for your daily caffeine buzz. Corner Coffee opens daily at 8 am and it's the first thing you see when you enter the hall. 

Craft Pizza

Pizza lovers rejoice. Craft Pizza serves red and white pizza (without marinara sauce), breakfast pizza, calzones, desserts, and some canned and bottled beverages. Gluten-free and vegan options are available.

Cross Street Chicken and Beer 

Chicken combos, sandwiches, sides, and yes, Cross Street Chicken and Beer even has some plant-based chik'n items on the menu too. They have wing and tender flavors like The O.G., garlic parmesan, soy garlic, and more. Cluck cluck! 

District 1 Pho 

Menu items include the Build Your Own Bowl, Pho Dac Biet, Pho Tai, Banh Mi as well as starters such as egg rolls, bbq spring rolls, Nem Nuong spring rolls. You can also ask them about their street food of the week.

Taco Ensenada from El Cacho in Windmill Food Hall.

El Cacho

Fish Taco Stand is one of the newer stands at Windmill Food Hall. They have fish tacos and seafood like a shrimp and octopus cocktail.

El Puerto Street Tacos

El Puerto Street Tacos is open every day at 8 am. Food includes burritos, tacos, quesdillas, asada fries, side orders like corn tortillas, guacamole, salsa fresca. Vegan choices include The Vegan burrito and their potato fajita taco.

Mediterranean House 

Gyros, ground beef kebab wraps, hummus, oh my. Mediterranean House has plenty of delectable appetizers, plates, sandwiches, wraps, salads, drinks, and sauces! Vegan options such as falafel, dolmades, and more.

Notorious BBQ 

Baby got babyback ribs. Meats by the piece, sandwiches, sides (coleslaw, baked beans, collard greens, etc.) Notorious BBQ also has vegan options with their vegan bbq, vegan sausage sandwich, or vegan combo.

Rolled Up Sushi 

Sushi burritos, bowls, and rolls. Rolled Up Sushi has bowls and burritos such as chicken teriyaki or spicy tuna. Sushi rolls include veggie, Philly roll, poke roll, and more. They also have some drinks and offerings like Spam musubi and seaweed salad.

Secret Sauce Wok & Grill

Secret Sauce Wok & Grill has appetizers (such as crab rangoons or mini lumpia), soups, a lunch menu, dinner menu (Mongolian Beef, Szechuan Beef, etc.), drinks, and other goodies. Vegan options are available as well.

Thai Style 

The Mill Bar 

Discover the fine dining, incredible views, catamaran rides, beer brewing classes, outdoor activities, and bay side hotels of Mission Bay! I saw everyone from families with children to bachelorette parties to tech conferences enjoying the many splendors of Mission Bay. There are so many fun things to do in Mission Bay San Diego!

Greetings from Bahia Resort Hotel in San Diego Mission Bay.

Located in Southern California, Mission Bay's magic lies in its recreational splendor and central location. Appreciate the warm sandy beaches, marine life, restaurants that'll wow your taste buds, and poolside relaxations of sunny San Diego Mission Bay. 

Downtown San Diego, Pacific Beach, Mission Beach, and Ocean Beach are just a hop skip and a jump away. 

There are loads of activities, attractions, eats, and things to do in Mission Bay San Diego. Mission Bay can act as your beacon point, the place you come to each night to sleep as you venture out. You can stay close by at Belmont Park or SeaWorld San Diego and spend the day there, or explore the vibrant city of San Diego further at Balboa Park, La Jolla, Seaport Village.

Mission Bay Aquatic Center

Head out on the water of San Diego's Mission Bay for your choice of water sports such as jet skiing, paddle boarding, kayaking, and more. The Mission Bay Aquatic Center is a huge waterfront facility located in beautiful San Diego, California. Want to get out on the water? You can rent equipment, jet skis, whatever you need from Action Sport Rentals. The Mission Bay waters await your arrival. 

Rent a Luxury Catamaran

You could rent a luxury yacht or catamaran from Malarky Charters to sit back and wind down to the view of the bay. You might see some sea creatures like sea lions, pelicans, dolphins, California gray whales, blue whales, and other wildlife while you're out there!

Bahia Belle Cruises

Take a 45-minute Mission Bay night cruise on the Bahia Belle, a turn-of-the-century, Mississippi-style boat. Watch the calm waters surrounding the 4,200-acre park from inside Bahia Belle Cruises or get the scenic view from the observation deck. 

Mission Bay Golf Course 

Mission Bay Golf Course and Practice Center is an 18-hole public golf course and driving range designed by Ted Robinson.  It's the only stadium lit course in San Diego and it also offers DiscGolf and FootGolf. Tiger Woods won a Junior World title here. As he says in his book The 1997 Masters: My Story, "I knew something about efficiency, having learned a good lesson when I was 11-years-old and playing the Optimist Junior World Championship at Mission Bay Golf Course in San Diego." 

Belmont Park

Spend the day at Belmont Park, a beachfront theme park with amusement rides such as the historic Giant Dipper roller coaster, historic Plunge swimming pool, laser tag, and more. Find Belmont Park at 3146 Mission Blvd. San Diego, CA 92109.

SeaWorld San Diego

SeaWorld has rides, rollercoasters, dining, and of course animals, which makes Sea World a popular spot for tourists and locals alike to bring their families for the day. 

Holding champagne on a catamaran on Mission Bay thanks to Malarky Charters.

Fiesta Island

Explore Fiesta Island and bring the dogs! Fiesta Island is a large peninsular park located within San Diego's Mission Bay. It's dog-friendly and horse-friendly as well. There are no bathrooms on the island. Picnics are permitted, but glass containers or alcohol are not allowed. Bonfires are allowed only in the city-provided fire rings located around the island's shoreline.

Mission Bay Park

The list of things to do in Mission Bay San Diego doesn't end! Mission Bay Park is located within walking distance of Belmont Park, the Pacific Ocean, and restaurants. Mission Bay Park also has a walking and biking trail. I rode along the Mission Bay Park trail with Fit City Adventures. You can see the ocean as you ride past tourists, food vendors, and locals walking around.

De Anza Cove Park

Get some California sunshine in a park. De Anza Cove Park is located at 3000 N Mission Bay Dr, San Diego, CA 92109. The park has a volleyball area, a tot lot to bring the kids, benches, picnic tables, as well as a path for jogging or riding bikes.

Crown Point Park 

Located at Crown Point Dr, San Diego, CA 92109, Crown Point Park has a picnic shelter, picnic tables, barbecue grills, fire rings, large sandy beach with a small grass area.

Hotels

There are a few hotels conveniently located in San Diego Mission Bay. Spa treatments, good eats, Each one has its own vibe so you can factor that in when choosing. Here are a few things that you can do at each hotel in the Mission Bay area!

• Bahia Resort Hotel 
• Catamaran Resort Hotel
• The Dana On Mission Bay
• Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa And Marina
• Paradise Point Resort & Spa 
• San Diego Mission Bay Resort

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A post shared by Carmen ⭐️ San Diego Foodie (@carmenlikestoeat)

Butterscotch Banana French Toast 🍌 🍞 Banana-Stuffed Brioche, Cream Cheese, Vanilla Butterscotch Glaze with Granola Crumble from Dockside 1953.

— Luxuriate with the waterfront dining views at Dockside 1953, the new restaurant at Bahia Resort Hotel. The butterscotch banana French toast is out of this world.

— Grab drinks at Barefoot Bar & Grill at Paradise Point Resort & Spa. 

— Eat the menu of the night at Tidal. Find Tidal at Paradise Point Resort & Spa right near Barefoot Bar & Grill. Learn more about Tidal here.

— Eat with your eyes and mouth at Firefly Eatery & Bar. The Firefly at The Dana On Mission Bay Resort features seasonal, local ingredients that will charm all your senses. Learn more about Firefly here.

— Relax with luxurious spa treatments at Spa Brezza at San Diego Mission Bay Resort.

— Order a tasty iced coffee from Mission Bay Beach Club. The San Diego Mission Bay Beach Club is a waterfront destination for coffee, bike rentals, ice cream, and more.

— Dine in at Oceana Coastal Kitchen at Catamaran Resort Hotel. Ocean Coastal Kitchen serves California cuisine with a modern ocean-inspired design.

— Try the katsu chicken at Covewood Restaurant at San Diego Mission Bay Resort.

— When you stay at The Dana On Mission Bay Resort, you get access to the seasonal Tropical Pool Bar. It's the perfect spot to just savor the moment. 

— If you want to head more toward Downtown San Diego, try a meal at LAVO San Diego.

Beautiful creation from Firefly’s New Executive Chef, Omar Armas! Almost too pretty to eat, but I ate it anyway. 😇

So Many Fun Things to Do in Mission Bay with Family and Friends

Mission Bay is a short drive from Downtown San Diego, so you can easily get here from the San Diego International Airport. You can visit Pacific Beach, Mission Beach San Diego, Ocean Beach, La Jolla, and all the San Diego spots. Enjoy waterfront dining, beach bonfires, poolside relaxation, and everything your heart desires. It's a beautiful area with incredible dining options, great hotels, and tons of fun things to do! Take a look at some of the Mission Bay beach cams to see the area for yourself. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your trip now!

Nearby Attractions

If you want to surf, the Pacific Ocean is a quick drive away. The San Diego Zoo, Mission Beach Boardwalk, Crown Point Beach, Bonita Cove, shopping in Mission Valley are very popular options as well. 

There are loads of options on things to do at Mission Bay San Diego, no matter if you are sporty or just want to chill. Play beach volleyball, relax in the hot tub of your hotel, view the sea life, head to the theme parks, play bumper cards, visit the surf shops, go water skiiing, eat fish tacos,

About me: I'm Carmen Varner, I'm a San Diego-based food and travel writer. You can learn more about me here.

Flour & Branch

Sukrin

For Joy

The Scottish Grocer

I love to travel and go to grocery stores; it's not only one of my favorite parts of travel, but of life itself. I thrive off of trying new-to-me foods. The Scottish Grocer imports fine, authentic foods, fabrics and clothing from Scotland. The ship to the US & Canada. The Stockans Thick Oatcakes (Red Pack) are super tasty, almost Triscuit-esque. I like to eat them with a touch of Mrs. Bridge's cherry preserves. Drool. Can't wait to travel to Scotland but until then a taste of Scotland will suffice. Check out what they sell on Amazon.

Agua Bucha by Mother Kombucha

There's nothing like the sound of that fresh crisp crack of a can. From the makers of Mother Kombucha, Agua Bucha is a refreshing line of sparkling water infused with kombucha. It comes in flavors such as meyer lemon, grapefruit, and key lime while incorporating naturally occurring organic acids and B vitamins from the booch. These are so refreshing! I love popping one open as a daily ritual as the sun sets on my patio!

Kombucha is that fermented, bubbly tea-based drink with a range of flavoring recipes often brewed with black or green tea. You can buy kombucha commercially at your favorite local stores or even retail chains like Target, Walmart, but you can also make it home. It isn't new, in fact, it's quite old! 

Whether it's your first time drinking the refreshingly tart taste of kombucha with your classic kombucha starter kit or you've made it hundreds of times, the fizzy drink has so much opportunity. You can go for a very tart flavor or nice & sweet. Brew whatever flavor you want, that's the great part about this drink! What are the best kombucha flavors? Do you prefer to use juice or fresh fruit?

Shop for a kombucha starter kit - 1 Gallon Brewing Kit Includes Everything You Need To Brew Kombucha At Home. If you're wondering what is kombucha??? What brand of kombucha is best? Is Kombucha really good for you? then head over to my blog post: What is Kombucha? to give you a bit of background history.

Intro to Kombucha

In this blog post, I answer a couple bit questions: What are the flavors of kombucha? Is Kombucha supposed to taste bad? Whether you want to make homemade kombucha tea or you like adding ingredients to jazz up a bottle you've already got, there are tons of best kombucha flavor ideas. I included drink pairings but you could mix & match one or more ingredients, using fruit or juices such as apple apricot, mango carrot ginger, lemon and ginger kombucha, the list of kombucha flavor concepts goes on. 

One apple, one whole stick of cinnamon, or one cup of molasses will flavor an entire gallon of kombucha. You can opt for juice, fresh puree, fresh cut pieces of fruit, even chia seeds, herbs, and spices. Add the delicious flavors of your choice. This is just a list of the best flavoring options, so you'll have to consult a recipe for the best way to make it, flavoring kombucha & exact measurements. 

Scroll down for answers to your hottest questions: What are the best kombucha flavors? What does the second ferment/second fermentation do? Where can you buy it? Is there a kombucha kit to help make it?

List of Kombucha Flavor Ideas: What are the best kombucha flavors?

1. Acai
2. Acerola
3. Almond
4. Apple 
5. Apple Cinnamon
6. Apple Raspberry with apple juice & raspberries 
7. Apricot
8. Basil Lime
9. Berry Blend
10. Blackberry 
11. Blackberry Apple
12. Blackberry vanilla kombucha
13. Blueberry
14. Blueberry Basil
15. Blueberry Elderberry
16. Blueberry Peach
17. Blood Orange 
18. Blood Orange Mint
19. Cantaloupe
20. Chamomile 
21. Carrot
22. Cherimoya
23. Cherry
24. Cherry Orange
25. Chia Seed kombucha
26. Citrus Mint Blend - Orange juice with fresh mint leaves 
27. Clementine
28. Coconut
29. Coconut mango
30. Coffee
31. Cranberry
32. Cranberry Apple
33. Elderberry
34. Elderberry Lemonade
35. Elderflower
36. Fig
37. Ginger
38. Ginger Fig
39. Ginger Turmeric
40. Grapefruit
41. Grapefruit Rosemary
42. Rosemary grape kombucha
43. Guava
44. Hibiscus flowers
45. Hibiscus rose
46. Honey Basil Peach
47. Honeydew
48. Kiwi
49. Kiwi strawberry
50. Kumquat
51. Lavender
52. Lavender Lemongrass
53. Lavender Rose
54. Lemon
55. Lemongrass
56. Lemon Ginger kombucha
57. Lime Mint
58. Loquat
59. Lychee
60. Mandarin
61. Mango
62. Mango Pineapple - mango puree with pineapple juice
63. Maple Syrup
64. Mint
65. Mojito - ginger lime mint
66. Mulberry
67. Nectarine 
68. Orange
69. Orange Turmeric
70. Papaya
71. Papaya Pineapple
72. Passionfruit (lilikoi)
73. Passionfruit Tangerine
74. Peach
75. Pear
76. Pear Vanilla
77. Persimmon
78. Pineapple 
79. Pineapple Coconut
80. Pineapple basil kombucha
81. Pink lady apple
82. Pitaya (Dragonfruit)
83. Plum
84. Pumpkin Spice (cinnamon, clove, ginger, etc)
85. Pomegranate
86. Raspberry
87. Raspberry Lemonade
88. Raspberry Lime
89. Root beer
90. Rose
91. Vanilla 
92. Vanilla Rose
93. Spicy Jalapeno Ginger Mango
94. Spirulina
95. Starfruit
96. Strawberry kombucha
97. Strawberry Lemonade - strawberry lemon
98. Strawberry Basil
99. Watermelon
100. Watermelon Rose
101. Watermelon mint

Pick and choose a couple ingredients to create your own combination. 

Adding flavor to your kombucha drink & using your imagination is half the fun! Who doesn't love pure customization to create your own tasty blend? This list is great for kombucha lovers trying to come up with flavor blends. These are some of the best kombucha flavors to get you started! Browse this list of kombucha flavor ideas and maybe you'll invent a new flavor or add a little pizzazz to your own batch of kombucha. If you're making kombucha tea there are lots of fruit flavor kombucha options you can go for. 

Add herbs or seasonal spices to add flavor. You could utilize fresh fruit, fruit juice, frozen, berries, or dried fruit. Adding fruit can be great but it depends on the flavoring you're going for. Fresh fruit can have added nutritional value from the vitamins & micronutrients in the particular fruit. Do you want something sweet, sour, tangy? Find recipes online or in a cookbook that you love & then tweak ingredients. Find great flavor inspiration for your next batch of homemade kombucha! 

If you use rose water, make sure it's food-grade, not something you just spray on your face. Rose Flower Water, 10 OZ bottle, get it on Amazon - click here. Also, use it sparingly! 

Popular Kombucha Ingredients 

• Zesty raw fresh ginger 
• Fresh-squeezed lemon juice or lime juice
• Apple juice to give a sweet taste 
• Orange juice &/or orange zest 
• Fresh juices such as Cranberry juice, watermelon juice
• Pumpkin Spice like cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, cardamom 
• Honey, table sugar, Turbinado sugar, maple syrup, agave, cane sugar
• Juice, fresh puree, fresh cut pieces of fruit
• Vanilla, vanilla bean
• Chia seeds 
• Herbs and spices

Where to Buy Kombucha

If you want to buy kombucha in the store, it usually comes in one 16 oz. bottle. They usually come with added ingredients to give some extra flavor or else it'd be kind of bland or funky. Popular kombucha brands include Health-Ade Kombucha, GT's Organic (GT's Enlightened Synergy Trilogy), Brew Doctor, Humm Kombucha,  Wild Tonic Jun Kombucha, Kevita, & more. You can buy bottles of kombucha online too, such as Remedy Raw Organic Kombucha or Health-Ade Kombucha Tea Organic Probiotic Drink. Online doesn't have as much as say a health food store like Whole Foods or something that often has dozens of bottle choices. If you don't have much near you, online is still a great place to find kombucha.

Need to consult a recipe? The Little Book of Kombucha: Best Delicious Kombucha Recipes, Useful Tips & Tricks, Most Common Mistakes. Find it on Amazon - click here.

Drinking kombucha is a peaceful ritual for me. I crack open a bottle. I take great care as I open the bottle avoiding any carbonation explosion. The fizzy flavored kombucha tea smells fragrant as I inhale. Now for the first sip. I usually hiccup if something has a solid amount of carbonation. So sometimes I use the hiccup test if a kombucha or soda or carbonated beverage is carbonated enough for my personal taste.

Shop the Kombucha Crafter's Logbook: A Journal to Track and Record Your Kombucha Home Brews. Find it on Amazon - click here!

SCOBY

Brew kombucha with SCOBY, which is an acronym for "symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast." SCOBY forms after it goes through a fermentation process of lactic acid bacteria, acetic acid bacteria, & yeast. These mesh together to create a sour flavor that you can find in kombucha and kimchi. Click here to get SCOBY. If the recipe seems complex, take it one ingredient at a time.

Second Fermentation

Watch your SCOBY grow during the first fermentation. The second fermentation is essential to brewing kombucha. The second fermentation allows for the flavors, fermentation, & carbonation to really infuse. Second fermentation can usually be done in airtight bottles. But choosing the right bottles is almost like an art form. The second ferment allows the yeast to consume the sugar which is part of the carbonation process. 

The quality of the ingredients added can potentially impact your brew. The fermentation process takes a few days, depending on the recipe. The second ferment process builds that fun fizzy carbonation that kombucha is so known for. Do you have tips for the second fermentation process?

Sugar 

You could use honey, table sugar, Turbinado sugar, maple syrup, agave. Even some of the sugar from the fresh fruit can add to the flavor & taste profile. 2 tablespoons of honey, sugar, maple, etc. seems to be a good amount, kombucha is not a super sweet drink. Some of the sugar can get eaten awake during the fermentation process. Click here to get sugar such as organic cane sugar or organic honey.

Tea

Don't forget that there is tea in your drink; it's a fermented tea beverage & you might use different types of tea, green tea, you might even see rooibos tea.

Need recipe inspiration? Find a recipe online or in a book! The Big Book of Kombucha: Brewing, Flavoring, and Enjoying the Health Benefits of Fermented Tea. Find it on Amazon - click here.

Juice

People tend to sweeten their homemade kombucha using a variety of fruit to fruit juice options, depending on the recipe. You can use orange juice, grapefruit juice, freshly squeezed lime. Get creative & see what You have in your fridge or cabinet. Each recipe is unique, one can add anything they see fit or want to taste. Try different juice combinations to customize the perfect color.

Buying Stuff Online

I briefly talk about different flavor options, the second fermentation, but I'm not an expert at making kombucha. There are lots of great resources online if you want to make kombucha at home. There are recipe books & so many options out there to understand the kombucha brewing process. There's always a new flavor or combination or even limited edition bottles. An open bottle/bottles of kombucha can last 3-5 days in the fridge. Once opened, it starts to lose its carbonation.

100% Pomegranate Juice - USDA Organic Certified - Glass Bottle (2 Pack), click here to get it. This adds the perfect color too.

Get a starter kombucha making kit, including 1-gallon glass jar, SCOBY, Tea, Sugar and Guide to Brewing, Multicolor: Shop it on Amazon - click here. That way you can customize your own kombucha flavors!

Is Kombucha Supposed to Taste Bad?

If you think kombucha tastes bad, you're not alone. It's not for everyone. It's a good idea to try different kombucha flavours. It can certainly have funky flavoring for some people. My boyfriend isn't a particularly huge fan of kombucha. It likely has to do with the flavor & the fizzy aspect, some people just don't like those refreshing tart beverages. 

The best thing you can do is try it & that's about it if you don't like it, no worries. If you don't like the taste, try adding extra fruit to your drink! The flavorings are added for taste anyway, why not add chopped strawberries or fresh raw ginger or whatever you have on hand. 

Using different recipes, you can brew something that you truly love. It may take a few days time to ferment & bottle & make everything, but it'll be a great experiment. There are also a variety of delicious kombucha flavors, so you might find one that you love.

Shop the Kombucha Starter Kit (Deluxe with Heating Mat) SCOBY, Jar, PH Test Strips, Fermenting Ingredients & more - Get it on Amazon - click here.

What's your go-to recipe or the best flavor? Do you like fresh fruit or fruit juices in your kombucha? What recipes do you love using? Each person might have a different idea of the best kombucha flavors so it's really up to your taste buds!