Another Madison brand. It's hard to believe that Nessalla has been around for something like 15 years, mainly because I thought they had gone out of business as I recall their fermentorium in the Garver Feed Mill closing during the pandemic.
Well, I have discovered that they filed for bankruptcy and found new owners. This explains the "Manufactured by Upside Func. Beverage Co." on the label. It seems that the Garver location has reopened and things are much like they were pre-pandemic. Can't keep a good kombucha maker down, I always say.
I was a bit ambivalent about buying this bottle. It wasn't the mix of black and green teas nor the organic raspberries. Hibiscus flowers? Yes, please. It was the "organic raspberry flavor". After my experience with that strawberry flavoring essence stuff, I was feeling a bit gun shy. It's organic so it fits in with their ad copy that says they use "only organic and fair trade ingredients". But that banner photo on their webpage shows fresh fruit and loose leaves - no gallon jugs of flavoring from the food chemist. Seems a bit misleading, if you ask me.
Just a peep of fizz upon opening. The liquid was a cloudy, dull gold. It smelled very nice with raspberry up front along with a sour smell like yogurt, and a hint of something floral. As expected, I couldn't taste much fizz. There was, however, a fair amount of sweetness that made it taste smooth. The raspberry was there but not very strong. I like the fruity tartness a lot.
A fruity sweetness lingered on the finish but I could actually taste tea! Weird. The kombuchas I'd sampled up to this point have done a fine job of making you forget you're drinking tea.
Except for some excess sweetness, I really like this brew. The fruit and flower weren't overwhelming and the tartness was great. Tasting tea was a new and exciting thing for me. And no Jolly Rancher flavor!
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