ABOUT US | AQUELA KOMBUCHA

"Aquela Kombucha exists as a vehicle for positive change and it is with that purpose that I share it, to catalyse the discovery of new paths, more healthy and sustainable."

- Maria Lima

MISSION

Aquela Kombucha was born out of curiosity, of an homemade experiment, to what is now the first kombucha brewery in Porto and a pioneer brand in the kombucha market in Portugal.

The project grew with the mission of brewing and sharing kombucha as delicious and beneficial as its homemade version. Respecting the ancestral tradition of the fermentation process, Aquela Kombucha is made “the old fashioned way” using sophisticated equipment and processes, which reflect the rigorous search for a balanced, authentic and consistent product.

Aquela Kombucha is part of a community passionate about fermentation, which seeks to live in symbiosis with the microbial diversity of the human body, but also of nature. The transforming powers of fermentation permeate not only food, but also the way we view the process of life.

Aquela Kombucha is a path shared by many, looking for a restoring lifestyle with a positive impact on those who feed it.

That Kombucha was born from a joke, a home experiment, to what is now the first kombucha factory in Porto and a pioneering brand in the kombucha market in Portugal.

The project grew with the mission to produce and share kombucha as delicious and beneficial as its homemade version. Respecting the ancestral tradition of the fermentation process, Aquela Kombucha is made "the old-fashioned way" with resources to sophisticated equipment and processes, which reflect the rigorous search for a balanced, authentic and consistent product.

That Kombucha is part of a community passionate about fermentation, which seeks to live in symbiosis with the microbial diversity of the human body, but also of nature. The transformative powers of fermentation permeate not only food, but also the way we view the process of life.

That Kombucha is a path shared by many, in the search for a restorative lifestyle with a positive impact on those who feed it.

Sustainability permeates all operations and is a constant search engine. The plastic-free packaging, in glass and aluminium, is 100% recyclable and the cartons are made from pulp sourced from certified forests. The environmental impact of Aquela Kombucha is inevitable, but the search for the smallest possible impact is key.

That Kombucha is certified organic by SATIVA and created based on high quality ingredients, also produced in a conscious way. The building of lasting relationships with the right partners is deeply valued as a basis of common values is sought. These partners are, geographically, as close as possible, according to the origin of the raw material.

A Quality and Food Safety System has been implemented in accordance with Regulations 852/2004 and 382/2021 and meets all the quality and hygiene requirements for food products. It has in its genesis the compliance with all legislation of the activity sector, including food labelling in accordance with Regulation 1169/2011.

CONSCIOUS PRODUCTION

The production of Aquela Kombucha is carried out at the factory and brand headquarters in Bonfim, in the most artistic neighbourhood of the city of Porto.

Manufacturing is guided by a cohesive work ethic, which does not neglect the quality of the product and the rigor of the production process. The fermentation of the tea is the epicentre of life in the factory, and its evolution is followed with detail and dedication. The need to create the right conditions for microscopic life to thrive defines the dynamics of the team and the space, which revolve around bubbling tanks full of life.

Sustainability permeates all operations and is a constant search engine. The plastic-free packaging, in glass and aluminium, is 100% recyclable and the cardboard boxes are made from paper pulp sourced from certified forests. The environmental impact of Aquela Kombucha is inevitable, but the search for the smallest possible impact is key.

That Kombucha is certified organic by SATIVA and created based on high quality ingredients, also produced in a conscious way. The building of lasting relationships with the right partners is deeply valued as a basis of common values is sought. These partners are, geographically, as close as possible, according to the origin of the raw material.

A Quality and Food Safety System has been implemented in accordance with Regulations 852/2004 and 382/2021 and meets all the quality and hygiene requirements for food products. It has in its genesis the compliance with all legislation of the activity sector, including food labelling in accordance with Regulation 1169/2011.

TEAM

Maria Lima

Founder and Director

Eduardo Quintã

Account and Logistics Manager

Gabriel Batista

Production Manager

André Cabete

Customer Success Manager

Bárbara Araújo

Communication Manager

INITIATIVES

Native Reforestation

Reforestation and conservation of native forests is one of the main solutions to fight climate change, besides promoting the preservation of local biodiversity. With the launch of the limited edition of Blueberry flavour (2020) 100 autochthonous trees were planted in Serra do Alvão, in partnership with the association Plantar Uma Árvore.

We believe that there are certain gifts that should be given. For Christmas 2021 we wanted to repay all that Mother Earth gives us by giving her one of her greatest foundations: the forest. Therefore, for every AK Pack x 12 purchased during the month of December, we will plant an autochthonous tree with the Association Plantar Uma Árvore.

Artistic Promotion

Art is a reflection of society and an essential critical tool for its evolution. Culture fills life, making it better, more beautiful and interesting, that's why the collaboration with emerging Portuguese artist Eva Evita emerged, through the launch of a limited-edition silk screen for Christmas 2020.

Social Responsibility

In 2021 we created Those RE-TOTES in solidarity. We collected dozens of stagnant and forgotten cloth bags, on which we printed a silkscreen that overlays with intention: the revenue raised from its sale is intended to cover production / dissemination costs and most of it reverts to the Association União Audiovisual, which supports the technical professionals and artists of culture, shows and events, who are currently without the work that has made us so often happy. It's our turn to give back!

In 2022, we launched, in partnership with the brand (re)veste, Aquele Cap. It is a unique piece, artistically intervened by young and adult people with disabilities and/or mental illness. Surplus production caps are the blank canvas for the manifestations of the participants of this community intervention project, promoted by the Soutelo Social Center. All caps are unique, with distinct approaches and painted by several hands, giving them identity and uniqueness. They are available for sale and purchase on instagram and the proceeds go to the (re)veste brand and its social intervention and inclusion project.

If you are interested in collaborating or any questions arise, please email us at: