While some of our ingredients might LOOK scary (no names mentioned, SCOBY) – they're far from it - they're bloody awesome. We're fusspots when it comes to our ingredients - annoyingly fussy, but that's what makes our bevvies so damn great. We never use artificial flavours or colours (coz they're gross). Instead, we source high-quality, all natural ingredients ensuring no sugar is added to any of our Remedy drinks (yeah, da boys).
Fun fact: We don't use juice for flavourings because they usually have a high sugar content. However, we use ginger juice and lemon juice in a few of our products because they have very low fermentable sugars (it's science). For our other beveraginos, we use all natural flavours and extracts, which are the flavour components of the fruit without the sugar.
Let's break down some of our ingredients and why they're so scarily good.
MOTHER CULTURE / SCOBY
Found in Remedy Kombucha, Remedy K!CK, Remedy Immune+ Shot, Remedy Energy Shot
Ever wondered what that weird alien-looking thing is in kombucha? We'll come right out and say it – it's gross. It's the stuff of 80s B-grade horror films. As disturbing as it looks, the SCOBY (symbiotic community of good bacteria and yeast), or mother culture, is the workhorse in our kombucha brews and is a key ingredient in real, raw kombucha.
Have no fear if you have ever seen some floaty bits in your kombucha and freaked out! Strands or small pieces of our live kombucha SCOBY or 'mother' may appear in your booch. While they may seem weird the first time, you see them in your drink, rest assured, these are signs of a natural, healthy kombucha that is unpasteurised and full of goodness. They are perfectly normal and safe. In fact, it's a good sign of a very healthy kombucha!
BLACK & GREEN TEA
Found in Remedy Kombucha, Remedy K!CK, Remedy Immune+ Shot, Remedy Energy Shot
In kombucha makin', the first and very important step at Remedy is to brew a huge pot of tea. And, well, everyone knows that green tea is good for you, right? The reason for this is because of all of the healthy antioxidants that naturally occur in green and black tea. Tea antioxidants, otherwise known as polyphenols, may help your body fight illness. They're seriously the REAL lesser-known powerhouse of a good kombucha.
In science-speak, antioxidants have been found to scavenge for free radicals in the body and prevent them from causing cell damage. Some tea blends have less or more polyphenols depending on quality, which can even be impacted by what season the tea was harvested!
Polyphenols also vary on the tea type (i.e. green, black, oolong, jasmine or hibiscus). We select the highest quality organic tea for our brew. We use a mixture of certified organic green tea for its high polyphenol properties and certified organic black tea for its rich superior taste.
Keen to know more about polyphenols? Read up on one of our fave ingredients here.
APPLE CIDER VINEGAR (ACV)
Found in Remedy Sodaly, Remedy Switchel ACV, Remedy Digestion Shot
We love apple cider vinegar AKA ACV for many reasons: it can aid digestion, it can help regulate and stabilise blood sugar levels, and it may promote good heart health and help keep cholesterol low. While we love this ingredient, we don't necessarily love necking it straight! This is why we use ACV as a base to make some of the best-tasting fizzies, Remedy Switchel ACV and Remedy Sodaly.
We could talk about ACV for hours, but nobody wants that. You can check out this nifty dedicated blog post if you're interested in learning more. Fun!
GREEN COFFEE BEAN EXTRACT
Found in Remedy K!CK, Remedy Energy Shot
Green coffee bean extract is derived from raw coffee beans that haven't been roasted yet. Its chemical profile is pretty different to roasted coffee beans. When left raw, green coffee bean extract contains high levels of a group of antioxidants known as chlorogenic acids, which can help lower blood pressure and may reduce your risk for chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease.
While green coffee bean doesn't have AS much caffeine as their roasted counterpart, it t has a slower, more enduring caffeine kick that will power you through the day (or night!). A much nicer option than taurine and guarana – nobody likes those energy drink shakes!
GINGER
Found in Remedy Switchel ACV, Remedy Digestion Shot, Remedy Kombucha Ginger Lemon
The word superfood gets thrown around a lot. Like A LOT a lot, and sometimes hard to tell the difference between a fad and the real deal. When it comes to superfood superhero status, ginger is the OG. It's one radical rhizome that has stood the test of time for hundreds, if not thousands of years, in traditional and herbal medicine. Here at Remedy, we're huge fans of ginger and have made damn sure it's a key ingredient in some of our fan favourites.
With anti-fungal and anti-microbial properties, it's said that ginger can help fight infection and is a great natural option to support your immunity. SCIENCE SPEAK: Ginger is also a diaphoretic, which means it works from the inside out to heat your body which is just what you need when it's wet and chilly outside
The main reason ginger is so g-damn great is that it is anti-inflammatory and full of antioxidants. It's also well known for its calming effect on your gut – you bloody ripper.
STEVIA & ERYTHRITOL
Found in all Remedy drinks
Ever wondered how our Remedy bevvies have a sweet taste without having any of the sugar? We add a touch of plant-based sweeteners, stevia, and erythritol (aka fermented glucose) at the end of the natural fermentation process. This adds back a hint of sweetness and balances out the flavours after we naturally brew out all of the sugar in our drinks. The stevia and erythritol we use are 100% natural (no artificial sweeteners over here!).
Stevia is a plant that belongs to the chrysanthemum family, which grows in Paraguay and Brazil. It contains no fructose yet is 300 times sweeter than sugar. Erythritol, aka fermented glucose, is a naturally occurring nectar commonly found in pears, watermelons, grapes and other fermented products like wine (yum), cheese (double yum) and soy sauce (all the yums). Both stevia and erythritol have been used as natural sweeteners in many parts of the world for hundreds of years, so it's not a new thing.
ACEROLA CHERRIES
Found in Remedy Immune+ Shot
Acerola cherries (also known as Barbados cherries or West Indian cherries) are one of the highest natural sources of Vitamin C. They initially gained popularity in 1940, when Puerto Rican scientists discovered that these little cherries contained up to 100x more Vitamin C than oranges (wowza!). We use acerola cherries in our Remedy Immune+ shot, so you can get 25% of your Vitamin C RDI from just one little mini but mighty shot!
QUINOA SPROUTS
Found in Remedy Immune+ Shot
Sprouted quinoa in your drink? We know it sounds strange, but they're a pretty magic ingredient. Quinoa sprouts are high in Vitamin B6, which can not only improve mood but may help with brain development and keep the nervous system and immune system healthy. That's a big yes from us.
GINSENG
Found in Remedy K!CK, Remedy Energy Shot
This ingredient looks spooky, but it's a root that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries! Ginseng doesn't just contain antioxidants; it may also help with brain health, immune function, and blood sugar control and can fight tiredness and increase energy levels.