PROXIES
-If it’s fermented NA tea, is it kombucha?-
We think so, but the process we use is not typical of most kombuchas and has its differences even from our own kombucha line. They are also either pasteurized or bone-dry. While the majority of our proxies are kombucha cultures and tea, some use additional fermentations or plants other than tea. Because of all these reasons, we find the title “kombucha” a little misleading to the general public, but it is an integral part of our proxies. Our hope is that these unique style expressions of kombucha can broaden peoples expectations and respect for its culture, and we can just call it “kombucha”.
PROXIES are a category of NA drinks that are not an imitation of something else, no dealcoholized wine, NA beer, or cocktails without spirits. They’re designed from the ground up for complexity and pairing, without the alcohol.
Our PROXIES go through our exclusive fermentation processes that result in new expressions in flavors from things like single-estate teas, foraged herbs, and local fruit. They have varying degrees of acid, tannin, body, sweetness, everything you expect from a complex ferment. We keep them low intervention and 100% natural with no preservatives. They come in one of 3 SERIES:
Pacific Wonderland is a display of Oregon, whether its wild botanicals or farm-fresh harvests. Explore Oregon’s coast, mountain, forest, valley, and more, in these ferments exclusive to the PNW.
World of Tearroir explores the infinite variety of Camellia Sinensis across the globe. In it’s terroir, style, each farms craftsmanship and technique, and of course their fermentation.
Synthesis is focused on the transformation of ingredients to create gastronomic experiences. Often combining and blending multiple ingredients to craft something new, but sometimes focusing in on just how complex a single ingredient and ferment can be.
In all our series, our goal with proxies is to capture a snapshot in a bottle. For some its evocative of a memory or experience. For others its the expression of those plants from that specific origin at that time, something that can never be replicated. Or a peek into the complex relationship between a tea and its fermentation. For us, it’s all of this and more.
Kombucha
Kombucha is a wonderful NA fermented tea, often sparkling and flavored with fruits, herbs, and other plants.
At Tisanity, we focus as much on the flavor as we do the benefits of kombucha. Our kombucha is always RAW (containing its living probiotics) and contains no preservatives or unnatural material. We also start with significantly less sugar than most standard kombuchas, increasing our fresh, dry flavor and minimizing the sugar and calories you consume.
Our kombucha is split into two categories: FRESH and DRY.
FRESH kombucha contains some sugar and the microbes are plenty active. It MUST be refrigerated and is best consumed within 4 months.
DRY kombucha is shelf stable, but best refrigerated to retain its probiotics and flavor, and will only contain trace amounts of sugar. It is fermented less than FRESH kombucha.
SHRUB
A Shrub typically refers to a fruit+sugar+vinegar combination that can be mixed with still or sparkling water to make a sweet-tart drink. Similar drinking vinegars such as Oxymels and Switchels (also called Haymakers Punch) feature minor differences such as a honey or ginger base. Historically, shrubs preserved the excess fruit harvested in order to enjoy its flavor and nutrients later, and they were also used by workers for hydration, electrolytes, and balancing blood sugar.
Our Shrubs are unique in that they use a kombucha base. This allows us to adjust the acid profile and incorporate the subtle tea flavors instead of the sharp fruit vinegar taste. We also use less sugar for a dryer final flavor profile. Shrubs are available as both a traditional syrup and premixed.
TEA & TISANES
We offer a range of teas, from the daily workhorses meant for lattes and mixed drinks, to the fine one-of-a-kind teas you save for a special occasion. We aim to deliver a direct and helpful experience in your selection of the worlds most popular beverage, because its our favorite ritual.
Tisanes (herbal tea) are tea’s more specialized relative. While tea itself is one plant with many permutations in flavor and usually similar in function, tisanes are every other plant you can drink, and usually come with a consistent, singular flavor and function. For example, Chamomile is always an appley-meadowy flavor that is great for winding down before bed. That’s why you’ll often find us blending them, to create new brews with more variety.