Whanganui Artisan Kombucharistas offering alternative to soft drinks

Frances Leibbrandt is hoping to supply her home-brewed kombucha to Whanganui's cafes and restaurants. Photo / Supplied

A Whanganui woman is fermenting fizz in her garage, using a converted freezer.

Frances Leibbrandt began brewing kombucha for her family seven years ago and now sells the fermented drink at the Whanganui River Markets under the name Whanganui Artisan Kombucharistas.

Leibbrandt said kombucha was a great alternative to sweet juice and soft drinks.

"To make kombucha you need a big piece of rubbery fungus called a scoby, which isn't the most attractive thing, and that sits on a combination of sweet tea, green tea, and I use herbs and spices and seasonal fruit as well," Leibbrandt said.

"You leave it for anywhere between one to three weeks, depending on the temperature, then it's bottled and left for a day to get nice and fizzy, then it's ready to go."

Leibbrandt's husband made her a fermenter out of an old freezer and she brews in the family's garage, moving from small glass vessels to 10-litre food grade buckets as demand increased.

"I just love seeing something and thinking 'oh, I can do that for myself'.

"There's always a bit of experimentation, but that's all part of the fun."

After applying for a permit from the Whanganui District Council to sell to the public, Leibbrandt said she was able to supply Stellar Restaurant and Bar as well as running her weekly stand at the market.

"I'd love for other cafes and restaurants around town to try out the kombucha and potentially put it on their menus," Leibbrandt said.

Flavours include raspberry; ginger, turmeric and black pepper; blackcurrant and honey; and pina colada, and Leibbrandt said local eateries were "absolutely welcome to get in touch" and a free sample would be offered.

"The kombucha comes in one-litre bottles, and it's actually concentrated."

As well as brewing kombucha, Leibbrandt makes skin and hair products in bar form, under the name Bar Necessities.

"I only use essential oils for these products, and it's a great alternative to plastic bottles.

"I supply a few shops here in town, as well as in Taranaki and the South Island."

Leibbrandt said Bar Necessities products were available online, as well as at the River Markets.