Water kefir grains whole foods

I’m a day drinker. Water. Coffee. Tea. Juice. Dairy. Non dairy. Bubbles. No bubbles. Caffeine. No caffeine. Lucky for me, new options abound too. Here are a few beverage trends you might be seeing on the shelves at Whole Foods Market®; let’s raise a glass to variety!

Kombucha

Although its popularity has been increasing during the past few years, lightly effervescent tea-based Kombucha has origins in the ancient Far East where it was revered for thousands of years as "the Elixir of Life". It is made by fermenting tea and sugar with a kombucha culture. The popular GT’s Kombucha has raw and organic options and flavors ranging from Gingerade to Citrus to Multi-Green.

Probiotics

Meaning “for life, ” probiotics, such as L. acidophilus and Bifidobacterium, aid our bodies in maintaining healthy levels of beneficial bacteria in the gut and intestines. These good bacteria are indispensable for immune systems, good digestion and proper nutrient absorption. Here are two examples of drinks that contain probiotics:

Kefir. With origins in Eastern Europe and a staple of European diets today, Kefir (kee-fer) is a fermented milk drink with a tart and even slighty sour taste. Think of it as yogurt’s cousin with a thinner consistency. Made either with kefir grains or a powdered kefir starter, it is usually sold as a drink, either plain or flavored. Look for it in the dairy case near the milk and yogurt.

Sparkling Probiotic Drink. When nutritional consultant Chakra Levy began fermenting non-dairy organic KeVita in her home kitchen, she created something new – a sparkling drink with a pleasing, mellow fermented flavor that is not tart or vinegary. Unlike other kefir drinks, it is not dairy based and has its own unique, refreshing sparkle and taste. It starts with a living probiotic culture, which is fermented and then blended with a base of coconut water, tea or fruit. From Mango Coconut to Pomegranate, most flavors are sweetened with no-calorie stevia and there are options with or without caffeine.

Coconut Water

Refreshing with a sweet, nutty taste, coconut water is a clear liquid tapped from young, green coconuts. (Coconut milk, on the other hand, is an emulsion of coconut water and fresh grated coconut.) Coconut water’s hallmark is high potassium.

Cold-Pressed Juices

Founded on the belief that heat can rob juices of flavors and nutrients, cold-pressed juices use cold pressure to maintain natural flavor. These juices are freshly squeezed and bottled cold. One such producer, Evolution Fresh, has an expansive range of offerings from Cucumber Pineapple Ginger to Organic Tangerine to Sweet Green with Lemon Juice.

Buy One, Get One Sales

Drink up deals this Friday, December 27 when our US and Canadian stores are offering a buy one, get one free offer on GT’s Millennium and Enlightened lines of Kombucha. Plus also on Friday in our US stores only, buy one, get one free of KeVita!

Thirsty for more savings? Shop for Evolution Fresh on Monday, December 30 and buy one, get one for free. US stores only.

Availability and limits may vary by region. Contact your store for details. While supplies last. Most of our stores do not provide rain checks for sales like this.