The Story of Kombucha

At fresh, we're recognized for our ability to harness the potency of natural ingredients from global sources, transforming them into skincare and bodycare products that deliver visible results. Our founders, Lev Glazman and Alina Roytberg, draw inspiration from their experiences and surroundings, such as utilizing sugar for wound care in their youth or realizing the benefits of fermentation on the skin.

As a brand that's nurtured by nature, we're committed to continually enhancing our processes of responsible sourcing for all fresh products. We pride ourselves on procuring the highest quality ingredients from diverse global locations, always with a keen respect for biodiversity, as we bring them directly to your skin. A prime example of this is the black tea we use in our renowned kombucha collection.

What is kombucha?

Kombucha is a fermented form of black tea that's packed with natural acids and vitamins. As popular as it is today across health stores and cafes, its origins date back to ancient times. Widely recognized across Asia and Russia as a life-enhancing "immortal elixir" due to its invigorating and purifying qualities, the fermentation process fortifies cells and offers protection against environmental irritants. In the realm of skincare, this organic fermentation process changes the molecular structure of the tea, enhancing its compatibility with the skin. This supercharges the already potent black tea ingredient, boosting its capacity to smooth skin, enhance radiance, and offer protection against environmental pollution and blue light.

The kombucha used in fresh's best-selling products undergoes a double fermentation process, creating small antioxidant molecules for improved absorption, offering even greater antioxidant protection.

The inspiration

Fresh co-founder Lev Glazman has always had a fascination with kombucha. "Once I started drinking kombucha, its benefits – a powerful energy boost and detoxification – became very clear to me. I wanted to explore how these effects could be transferred to skincare," he said. Since then, fresh has gone on to carry out comprehensive research into the ingredient's antioxidant properties and its ability to defend the skin.

Our sourcing

The affectionately nicknamed “Golden Buds” of Nepal is an esteemed tea variant, provided courtesy of fresh, and is proudly certified by fair-trade. Its origins can be traced back to a remote location nestled within the Himalayan mountains of Nepal, close to Ranitar, Panchthar, at the base of the majestic Mount Kanchanjangha. The region's warm, humid climate and rich biodiversity create ideal conditions for tea cultivation.

Local farmers skillfully handpick the tea leaves four times annually. This premium ingredient's sourcing process is evaluated by the Union for Ethical BioTrade (UEBT), a respected international nonprofit that advocates for the ethical sourcing of biodiversity ingredients. Fresh has collaborated with UEBT since 2020, working diligently to optimize the selection and sourcing of our core ingredients, which requires on-the-ground evaluation of local suppliers and verification of cultivation or wild collection areas against the UEBT standard.

The efforts we've made with this ingredient, and many others, represent only the start. We remain committed to continuing innovation while enhancing our sourcing practices and maintaining respect for both our planet and its inhabitants.