# kombucha

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˌkɑmˈbu.t͡ʃə/ · frequency rank #56,230

## Definitions
1. A fermented, effervescent, and sweetened black tea of Mongolian origin.

## Etymology
Origin disputed. Possibly from Japanese 昆布茶 (konbucha, literally “kelp (konbu) tea”), a different type of beverage, and not related to fermentation.
Alternatively, derived from Kombu, reportedly a Korean physician who brought the fermented tea to Japan as a curative for Emperor Inkyo in 414 CE + cha (“tea”).

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/kombucha