Possible origins of kombucha
Kombucha, a widely consumed fermented tea, is renowned for its potential health benefits and probiotic properties. However, the origins and mechanisms underlying the formation of its biofilm, which often serves as the starter culture, remain poorly understood. Based on historical records, this study establishes a proof of concept, demonstrating how a kombucha-like biofilm can form spontaneously from microbes associated with plants, insects, and humans in a sweetened tea medium.