When we pour Aroā at markets, one of the things we hear most is: I don't normally like kombucha. Usually people are expecting something sharp or vinegary. Then they try Jun and realise it is a much lighter drink.
Jun and kombucha are both fermented teas, but they start with different ingredients. Kombucha is usually made with black tea and cane sugar. Jun is traditionally made with green tea and honey. It sounds like a small change, but you can taste the difference straight away.
So what is Jun?
We brew Aroā in Auckland with filtered water, green tea, raw New Zealand honey and a Jun culture. Fermentation brings those ingredients together and creates the natural fizz.
Green tea gives Jun a lighter body, while honey adds a softer, floral sweetness. Kombucha is often more acidic and punchy. Jun tends to be smoother and easier to drink, especially if you have tried kombucha before and found it too sharp.
What goes into Aroā?
Original is the simplest expression of Jun: filtered water, green tea, raw honey and Jun culture. Berry is made with blueberries, strawberries and blackberries. Ginger gets its flavour from ginger. We keep the ingredient list straightforward and let fermentation do the work.
Each bottle is 330 mL. Original and Ginger contain 13.2 g of sugar per bottle, while Berry contains 13.6 g. Those numbers come directly from our product labels. The sugar is what remains after fermentation has used part of the honey.
Like other fermented drinks, Jun can contain a trace amount of alcohol. Aroā stays below 0.5% ABV. It also contains some caffeine because we brew it with green tea, although less than a regular cup of tea.
How we like to drink it
Very cold, straight from the bottle. On a hot day we sometimes pour it over ice, and it also works well as a mixer when you want something lighter than another beer.
Where to find Aroā
We brew every batch here in Auckland. Online orders get free North Island shipping. You can also find us at Smales Farm and Long Bay farmers markets. We post upcoming market dates and events on @aroajun.
If you already love kombucha, there is no reason to stop drinking it. But if you like the idea of a fermented tea and want something gentler, less acidic and easy to enjoy cold, Jun is worth trying.
Still curious about something? Come and ask us at the market or send us a message. Most of the good questions we get there eventually turn into posts like this one.