Our Story
Buchi is a community centered, family business continuing the time honored folk tradition of craft-brewing kombucha. Buchi Kombucba is an all natural, non-alcoholic, living social beverage that provides a healthy nutrient rich alternative to sodas and high fructose corn syrup beverages. The tale of Buchi begins in the mists of the Blue Ridge Mountains and weaves together friendship, the adventures of motherhood, a passion for creating healthy, organic foods, and the common desire to share an ancient tonic, known in the orient and throughout folk tradition as “The Tea of Immortality” and “Elixir of life.”
Set in the cradle of the world’s oldest mountain chain, we came together in the most serendipitous way. After years of brewing kombucha on our own, we met each other through our children's homeshool co-op. Being two earthy “Nourishing Traditions” mama’s, we soon discovered that we had each separately created an almost identical tasting kombucha. This was quite a surprise considering the broad range of flavors and qualities possible in kombucha brewing, and this among other alignments led us to team up and start a brewery. After almost a year of experimentation with the commercial brewing process, with kids at play and baby on back... Buchi was born!
The bold taste quickly won over kombucha fans. Local restaurants began requesting Buchi, and it was obvious there was a demand for our sweet and sour fizzy drink. By the spring of 2009, gallon jars filled every horizontal surface in Jeannine's kitchen and dining room; it was time for a new location. We moved to a shared commercial kitchen at Blue Ridge Food Ventures (BRFV). With the guidance of Mary Lou and BRFV, we continued to sell all we could make. By winter of 2009, we had a growing waiting list and we needed a place to expand production. A new home presented itself in the form of a retired organic wine distribution warehouse located on an organic farm tucked into a mountain valley north of Asheville. we transformed the warehouse into our 6,800 square foot eco-conscious brewery and we became the first woman-owned commercial kombucha brewery in the southeast!
So here we are, brewing late into the night. We envision a return to wholesome nutrient rich regionally produced food that nourishes our bodies, our environment, and the local economy. We sincerely hope Buchi will nurture and bring health and happiness to you and yours.