Kombucha has soared in popularity due to its unique taste and purported health benefits. This is not news to Patrick Sullivan, owner of Black Cap Beverage Company in Farmingdale, who has been brewing the fermented tea concoctions for several years now, quietly blazing his path to entrepreneurial success with distribution and several solid business partnerships across Long Island.
“I was home-brewing beer when I was in my 20s,” Sullivan said. “As a detective in New York City, I was sitting in a car all day or in front of a computer writing reports, and eating fast food; as I got into my 40s I realized that I needed to get back into shape.”
Sullivan also suffers from digestive issues. Getting his weight under control, cutting carbs and generally being healthier was enough for Sullivan to create a better way to enjoy a refreshing carbonated beverage.
“Even though I was counting every calorie, exercising and getting into really good shape, I still liked to have a beer, but beer is full of a lot of calories generally,” Sullivan said. “I found that I could have three bottles of kombucha and it would stil be healthier than one beer.”
He likened kombucha to enjoying a full-bodied beer or wine. Kombucha does have trace amounts of naturally occurring alcohol, but is regulated as a non-alcoholic beverage.
“Kombucha is a great option for local bars and restaurants to serve,” Sullivan said. “It gives people, who do not want to, or cannot drink, a great way to enjoy a bottled beverage while fitting in socially; it satisfies my need for a beer, especially because it has mild, natural carbonation.”
Many people have never heard of kombucha or are misinformed about the beverage and its benefits.
“Long Islanders have not really been exposed to kombucha; they are just starting to learn what it is and look for it in the market,” Sullivan said. “When people hear ‘kombucha’ they want to respond, ‘God bless you” because it just sounds foreign.”
The first sip of kombucha usually surprises the palate; it has a taste that you might have to build up to in order to appreciate.
“When people try kombucha for the first time, I liken it to having your first drink of wine and I ask people, ‘Do you remember when you first had a sip of wine? You probably didn’t like it right away, but now you love it and probably straight from the bottle’,” Sullivan joked.
Originating in East Asia, kombucha is made by fermenting tea with a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY). This effervescent drink is rich in probiotics, the beneficial bacteria that play an essential role in gut health, improving digestion and boosting immunity. It also contains antioxidants that combat harmful free radicals, reducing inflammation and preventing cell damage. The fermentation process produces acetic acid, which has antimicrobial properties, potentially warding off harmful microorganisms. Research is ongoing, many enthusiasts also report enhanced energy levels and detoxification effects, making kombucha a popular choice for those seeking to improve their overall well-being.
Black Cap Beverage Company offers several flavors, including Big Apple, Bluesberry, Grape Gatsby and Piña Y Coco, that are available for purchase at the brewery warehouse on weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., for home delivery, at several farmers markets across Nassau, Suffolk and Queens throughout the year. Special pricing is available for wholesale and for first responders.
Black Cap Beverage Company is located at 269 Eastern Pkwy #A, in Farmingdale. Visit blackcapbev.com to learn more and to place an order.
