Yorkshire Tea has collaborated with an award-winning kombucha brand to launch its very own take on the fermented drink.
Kombucha is a fermented drink made from tea, sugar, and a bacterial culture called a SCOBY (symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast).
Less than a decade ago, most people weren’t really that familiar with the phenomenon but today, a walk around any local supermarket or health food store sees shelves stacked full of the fizzy beverage.
While kombucha may only have recently made its way onto the popular drinks market, it’s actually been around for nearly 2,000 years.
It was first brewed in China and then spread to Japan and Russia, before becoming popular in some European countries in the early 20th century, and then seeing sales in the UK and the US skyrocket from late 2000s onwards due to its reputation as a wellness drink.
Kombucha is often mixed with natural sugars and spices to create countless different flavours, with many people praising it for its health benefits.
Given that kombucha could be considered one of the next big things on the UK drinks scene, Yorkshire Tea has decided to join forces with award-winning kombucha brand, HOLOS Komucha, to launch its very-own take on the fermented drink.
Coming in two different flavours, ‘Yorkshire Tea Kombucha’ is described as being a tangy and lightly-sparkling chilled drink with a gentle fermented kick.
HOLOS has used its traditional small-batch brewing methods and all-natural ingredients within the process to create the two limited-edition drinks – with the ‘Original’ flavour said to highlight the “depth, complexity, and orange notes” of the classic tea beverage known and loved by millions of Brits nationwide, and the ‘Ginger’ flavour delivering “extra warmth and spice”.
“Being passionate about a proper brew also means caring deeply about its long-term future and innovation in tea is central to this,” explained Ben Newbury – Head of Marketing at Yorkshire Tea.
Image: Unsplash
“We asked HOLOS to help us create something unique because they make some of the best kombucha around and because they share our values when it comes to trading responsibly, so we’re delighted with the resulting brew.
“We hope it goes down well with consumers looking for something new and different and with Yorkshire Tea fans alike.”
Despite looking set to be a popular addition to the market – or at least a talked-about addition, if nothing else – Yorkshire Tea Kombucha is only in the trial phase at this moment in time, and you won’t actually be able to get your hands on it from shops and supermarkets anytime soon.
Both flavours will only be available to try at the London Coffee Festival on Thursday 20 – Saturday 23 April.
Other locations are “soon to be announced”, according to Yorkshire Tea and HOLOS.
One of Leeds' most iconic brands is expanding with two city centre openings.
Coffee lovers, you're going to love this one.
North Star Coffee Roasters are one of the early pioneers of specialty coffee in the North of England and among the UK’s first B Corp-certified coffee roasters.
They've been keeping the people of Leeds awake since 2013, and you'll find their coffee across the country as well as at their current city centre locations.
One of their brand-new locations inside the Victoria Quarter will be opening next Monday 1 June.
Their new kiosk will be located outside Jo Malone London and marks the brand’s third site in Leeds.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
To celebrate the launch, North Star will be giving away 50 free coffees a day from Tuesday 2 June until Friday 5 June - a total of 200 free drinks across the opening week. Customers will be able to claim any coffee from the menu, with one free drink per person available on a first come, first served basis, each day.
Their other new site is expected to be on Great George Street, and we'll keep you updated with any news on that one as and when we know more.
Speaking about the opening, Holly Kragiopoulos, Co-founder of North Star, said: “Opening a third site in the centre of Leeds feels incredibly special for us. Leeds has always been at the heart of North Star, so being able to bring our coffee into Victoria Quarter is a huge milestone.
"We wanted to celebrate by giving something back to the city and welcoming both loyal regulars and new customers with free coffee throughout our opening week.”
Inside Leeds’ new neighbourhood bakehouse from the team behind Silver’s Deli
Clementine Hall
Silver's Bakehouse is finally here, and it's just as fabulous as we'd hoped.
Just when you thought Leeds’ favourite sandwich spot couldn't get any better, they go and open a bakery.
Silver's Bakehouse has opened its beautiful pastel green doors today over in Farsley to queues of excited fans eager to get their first taste.
So, what's on offer at Silver's Bakehouse?
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Well, as masterminds of the almighty sandwich you'll be happy to know you can still get one here. However, their iconic sub sarnies have had an Italian makeover and are now served in fresh, springy sourdough which is baked onsite.
Elsewhere on the menu you'll find brown butter buttermilk brownies (try saying that three times), a range of delicious cookies, sausage rolls, soft amaretti biscuits and Dark Arts tiramisu.
There's also a fab selection of Italian drinks on offer in a swanky new fridge, as well as a coffee menu so you can pick a brew to go hand in hand with your chosen baked good.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The interior is just as gorgeous, complete with yellow walls, red tiles and a mirror hanging above the baker's table so you can really see all the magic happen.
And trust us, it is magic.
There's a couple of benches outside so you can plonk yourself in the sunshine to enjoy your sarnie, which is what we'll be doing in this glorious bank holiday sunshine.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
You can really tell this is a proper labour of love, and Chris and the team have done a cracking job of keeping that Silver's spirit in there.
Go and say hello to congratulate them on this fabulous new opening, it's a great addition to Farsley and the Leeds foodie scene.
Emily Sergeant -
18th April 2023 
