Turns out the best kombucha in the world is made in Latvia!
Turns out the best kombucha in the world is made in Latvia!
Kombucha is experiencing a golden age right now, having become a staple in the world of healthy living. But this fermented, probiotic- and nutrient-rich beverage is also popular among other gourmands. Latvia can proudly say that it is home to one of the highest quality kombucha brands that has gained international recognition and won the hearts of consumers: Rudy’s Kombucha is produced in Kuldīga.
The Rudy’s Kombucha story began in 2019 with Darja and Egons Grabars, who would eventually found the company, experimenting with the drink at their home in Ādaži. Today, it is an internationally recognised brand that inspires and is cause for pride in the potential and power of Latvian business. The brand was named in honour of the family’s beloved dog Rudy. The initial production capacity of the budding company was just 500 litres, but demand quickly exceeded this volume, so a production facility was established in Kuldīga.
In the interpretation of Rudy’s Kombucha, the beverage, which had long since been known in Latvia as “yeast tea drink” became a healthy, tasty and modern product. The beverage is vegan, gluten-free and unpasteurised, containing all of its natural enzymes, vitamins and probiotics, that are beneficial for digestion and improve immunity.
Unlike many other commercially available kombuchas Rudy’s Kombucha does not contain sugar: the sweetness in the products comes from natural juices, purees and fruit. The presence of probiotics and good bacteria lend the beverage its “living” characteristics, making it not only refreshing, but also genuinely healthy. This unique approach has resulted in a beverage capable of competing not only with other healthy foodstuffs, but also with traditional sweetened soft drinks, thus promoting healthier living around the world.
Innovations and international success
Rudy’s Kombucha has brought home several prestigious awards, including a gold medal from the World Kombucha Awards 2023, and was recognised as the most innovative beverage in Dubai. The company’s products with a minimal alcohol content, such as their champagne yeast-fermented beverage, have been recognised at the SIAL Innovation Awards 2022 in Paris. The company is currently short-listed for the Export and Innovation Award 2024 in the “Export Newcomer” category. This competition, organised by the Ministry of Economics and the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA) together with other cooperation partners, is open to businesses with an export-oriented offer, an export strategy and export markets, an export turnover of at least EUR 50 000 in 2023, and ambitions to reach at least EUR 1 million in export turnover over the next five years.
The company emphasises that international accolades not only bring joy, but also help establish new partnerships by attracting partners looking to distribute highly acclaimed beverages. Today, Rudy’s Kombucha is exporting to 12 countries, including Lithuania, Estonia, Scandinavia, Germany, Netherlands, Greece, Portugal and even Singapore.
Sustainable development and green thinking
Having invested up to EUR 1 million in modern equipment, the company has just moved to a new facility in Kuldīga. The new facility is equipped with solar panels, and the company is also looking into innovations that would allow it to recycle the CO2 created in the kombucha production process to potentially use it as an energy source.
Support provided by the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA) has proved to be a useful tool in the company’s development. Having joined the LIAA business incubator in Kuldīga, the company took part in its first international expo in Cologne in 2021. That became an important turning point as it was this expo where the company met its first foreign partner from Greece.
The Rudy’s Kombucha team of 15 plan to continue actively developing new flavours and beverages to reinforce the company’s market position and enter ever new markets across the world.
Since 2024, the Business Incubation Aid Program has been implemented by LIAA representative offices in Latvia and any company up to the age of 5 operating in the supported sectors can apply for the programme.
This article has been produced with financial support from the European Regional Development Fund, Small and Medium Enterprises Programme, Incubator Subproject.
