No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeTopicsArts and CultureCosta Rican Kombucha Culture Hits U.S. West Coast Stores

Costa Rican Kombucha Culture Hits U.S. West Coast Stores

Kombucha Culture, the top kombucha producer in Costa Rica and Central America, now sells its canned drinks at select stores in Southern California and the Pacific Northwest. The company brews and packages every batch on its certified organic farm in Santa Elena de Pérez Zeledón. It combines imported tea with fruits, roots and plants grown on site to make the products. All cans carry USDA organic certification, along with vegan and gluten-free labels.

Retailers in Southern California, including Erewhon, Bristol Farms, Jimbo’s Naturally and Lassen’s, stock the drinks through UNFI distribution. In the Pacific Northwest, Town & Country Markets carry them via Crown Pacific Fine Foods. The lineup includes five flavors: Boho with ginger, pineapple and hibiscus; Island Roots with turmeric, ginger, lemon and black pepper; Purple Rain with chamomile, lavender and butterfly pea flowers; Golden Hour with ginger and passion fruit; and Dragon Rose with dragon fruit and rose water. Each can contains probiotics, stays under 70 calories and uses only natural ingredients.

The brand began operations in Costa Rica in 2017 after an initial concept developed in Southern California. It partnered with Nacascolo Holdings in 2021, which supported production upgrades and led to steady growth. Kombucha Culture also offers a CBD-infused line, the first of its kind registered in Costa Rica, and a hard kombucha with 5 percent alcohol.

The U.S. entry follows years of strong sales inside Costa Rica. Shoppers find the drinks in chains such as AutoMercado, Fresh Market and Súper Compro, as well as smaller outlets from San José to beach towns on both coasts. Kombucha Culture positions its drinks around Costa Rica’s pura vida approach to daily life. The company uses this heritage to appeal to younger U.S. buyers who prefer brands tied to real places and straightforward ingredients over larger corporate options.

This move fits a longer pattern of Costa Rican goods reaching U.S. shelves. Coffee from regions like Tarrazú sells at specialty roasters across the country. Craft chocolate from Limón and Talamanca areas appears in fine chocolate shops. Tropical fruits, heart of palm and organic produce move through natural food channels as well. These exports build on Costa Rica’s established record in sustainable farming and reliable supply.

Kombucha Culture plans to display its full range at the Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, California, on March 3, 2026. The company continues production in Pérez Zeledón while it builds distribution in the United States.

Trending Now

Costa Rica Raises Bus Fares Between San José and Nicaragua Border

Taking the bus from San José to the Nicaraguan border became more expensive today.The fare from San José to Peñas Blancas increased from ₡5,820...

Latin American Players Make Early Push at Cincinnati Open

Latin American players made an immediate impact as the Cincinnati Open main draw began Thursday, with Argentina’s Mariano Navone and Thiago Agustín Tirante advancing...

What happened to Galeria Namu?

Founded in 1998, Galeria Namu had become a must-visit attraction for tourists visiting San Jose, as well as for many nationals, interested in seeing...

Costa Rica Raises Yellow Alert as Tropical Wave Arrives

If you are driving on the Caribbean side or through the Northern Zone today, check that your route is open before you leave the...

Panama Canal Cuts Ship Traffic as El Niño Drought Worsens

The Panama Canal will allow fewer ships to pass through the waterway beginning in September as a drought linked to El Niño reduces the...

Costa Rica Declares a National Emergency in Nine Flood Hit Areas

Costa Rica has declared an emergency in nine areas after days of heavy rain caused flooding, damaged roads and left more than 700 people in shelters

Costa Rica Lawmakers Challenge Sweeping State-Secrecy Order

Opposition lawmakers asked Costa Rica’s Constitutional Chamber today to immediately suspend a decree that places broad categories of government security information, including budgets and...

Costa Rican Surfers Chase a Home Title as WSL Finals Day Runs at Playa Hermosa

The quarterfinals, semifinals and final of the Garabito Surf City Pro all run Sunday at Playa Hermosa, with Leilani McGonagle carrying the strongest Costa Rican result into the closing rounds.

China’s Xi Warns Against Outside Interference in Latin America

Chinese President Xi Jinping defended Latin America’s “independence and self-reliance” during talks with Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa, arguing that countries in the region should...
🌴 The Weekly Pura Vida

Costa Rica, Once a Week

The week's top stories, weather & insider tips — delivered every Sunday. One email, zero clutter.

🔒 Free. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Loading…

Latest News from Costa Rica

Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Car Rentals
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Travel