Boochcraft & De La Calle’s Tepache: What Makes Them Different

With a whole bunch of new fermented beverages available, it can be hard to remember what makes different drinks different. For that reason, this article will take a close look at Boochcraft hard kombucha and De La Calle tepache.

An Overview of Boochcraft and De La Calle

For you to understand what makes these drinks different, we want you to have a little bit of information about what these drinks are. In this section, we’ll provide you with a brief overview of both Boochcraft kombucha and De La Calle tepache.

Boochcraft

Boochcraft kombucha is plant-based kombucha made without artificial flavors, purees, concentrates, or preservatives. Boochcraft breaks down their kombucha into four different categories: Core, Seasonal, Heirloom Series, and Liquid Art Lab.

The Core contains flavors such as Ginger Lime and Apple Jasmine, while the Seasonal flavors are made from produce that is in season at the moment. The Heirloom Series kombucha comes in bottles and is made in small batches from sustainable organic family farms. Finally, the Liquid Art Lab kombuchas are more unique and include flavors such as Blackberry Sage and Pineapple Vanilla Chai.

Generally speaking, kombucha is a beverage that is made from fermented tea and has been brewed for thousands of years. Kombucha was originally made in China and gradually made its way to Europe and finally to the United States, where it started to gain popularity in the 1960s as a healthy, gut-friendly beverage. 

De La Calle Tepache 

De La Calle tepache is a modern take on an ancient Mexican drink. Tepache is made from fermented pineapple rinds and cores and traditionally flavored with panela, a type of unrefined cane sugar, and cinnamon. It is thought that tepache originated with either the Maya or Aztec people, and the recipe has been passed down orally from generation to generation. 

De La Calle’s tepache recipe draws inspiration from over fifty tepache recipes and draws inspiration from Mexican food and culture. Currently, there are five De La Calle tepache flavors available. These flavors include Ginger Manzana (apple), Picante Mango Chili, Regional Tamarind Citrus, and Traditional Pineapple Spice. 

Prebiotics, Probiotics, and Synbiotics 

One major difference between Boochcraft and De La Calle tepache is their prebiotic and probiotic qualities. In this section, we’ll dive into prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics and tell you which category each of these fermented beverages fits into.

What’s the Difference Between a Prebiotic, Probiotic, and Synbiotic? 

You might have heard the terms prebiotic and probiotic used recently with the emergence of research about gut health. At one point in time, the digestive system was considered one of the simplest systems in the body. 

However, we now know that there is a complex microbiome of bacteria that live in your gastrointestinal tract and perform several important functions. These bacteria help break down and digest food, reduce inflammation, and protect you against harmful diseases. The two main species of beneficial bacteria in your gut are Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. 

Probiotics are products such as fermented beverages that contain different strains of these beneficial bacteria. Ingesting these bacteria help increase the natural population of good bacteria in your gut and boost your digestive system. It can be especially beneficial to consume probiotics at times when your natural beneficial bacteria population is compromised. 

For example, antibiotics cannot differentiate between good and bacteria, so when they kill the infection-causing bacteria in your gut, they may also kill off some of the good bacteria. For this reason, it might be helpful to consume more probiotics when you’re taking antibiotics to help maintain a healthy bacterial equilibrium in your gut. 

Prebiotics are the food source for these good bacteria. Oftentimes prebiotics come in the form of dietary fiber. We cannot break down many types of fiber, so it passes undigested through our system to the colon, where it becomes food for the good bacteria. 

Foods and drinks that have both prebiotic and probiotic qualities are known as synbiotics. Synbiotics are beneficial because they ensure that the good bacteria you ingest will have a fuel source in your body. 

Boochcraft vs. De La Calle Tepache 

As previously mentioned, one difference between kombucha and tepache is their prebiotic and probiotic qualities. All types of kombucha, including Boochcraft, are a fantastic source of probiotic bacteria. De La Calle tepache is also a source of probiotic bacteria and has prebiotic qualities as well, making it a synbiotic beverage. 

Although both are great for your gut, you don’t have to worry about incorporating more dietary fiber into your diet when you drink tepache. If you want to get the most out of your Boochcraft, you might want to consider eating foods that are high in fiber, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. 

Are They Alcoholic?

The short answer to this question is yes, both Boochcraft and De La Calle tepache have some alcohol because they are both fermented beverages. However, there is a very small amount of alcohol in De La Calle tepache, whereas the ABV of Boochcraft is about 7.0%, considerably higher than most beers. 

During fermentation, sugars are broken down into alcohol and carbon dioxide, which accounts for the alcohol and carbonation in both of these beverages. Given that Boochcraft is considered hard kombucha, you can think of it as a replacement for beer, wine, or other cocktails. For this reason, you must be 21 years or older to buy Boochcraft. 

Although De La Calle tepache is not considered an alcoholic beverage, it does pair very well with tequila. You can simply add a splash of tequila to the top of your tepache glass or substitute pineapple juice for tepache in some of your favorite cocktails to give them a new, refreshing twist.

Can My Kid Have De La Calle Tepache? 

Unlike Boochcraft, De La Calle tepache is absolutely a safe and healthy drink for kids. In fact, De La Calle tepache makes an excellent substitute for juice, soda, and other sugary kids’ drinks. 

Given that tepache is made from fermented pineapple, it is naturally sweetened during the brewing process. This means that it has the same carbonated texture as soda without any of the added sugar. If you swap your kid’s soda with tepache, they won’t experience the same sugar rush and crash that usually accompanies soda consumption. 

Conclusion 

Overall, Boochcraft and De La Calle tepache have several important similarities. They both come in a bold, exciting variety of flavors and are made from organic ingredients and flavored naturally. Additionally, they are both fermented beverages and can give your gut a boost when you’re feeling rundown, taking antibiotics, or looking for a natural, easy way to improve your digestion. 

However, there are some crucial differences between Boochcraft and De La Calle tepache. Boochcraft is a natural probiotic, whereas De La Calle tepache has both probiotic and prebiotic qualities. Probiotics are good bacteria that can improve your digestive system, and prebiotics are the fuel source for that bacteria. 

Boochcraft is also hard kombucha which means that it has an ABV of 7%, making it more alcoholic than most standard beers. Tepache, on the other hand, contains a small amount of alcohol but is not an alcoholic beverage. For this reason, if you’re looking for a grab-and-go drink for a night out, you might want to try Boochcraft. However, if you’re looking for a cocktail base or a drink that you can enjoy with your kids, you might want to try tepache. 

Sources:

One Health, Fermented Foods, and Gut Microbiota | NIH

Dietary fiber: Essential for a healthy diet | Mayo Clinic

Public Policies to Reduce Sugary Drink Consumption in Children and Adolescents | Pediatrics