SoulSmith Kombucha
The woman-owned ferment company celebrates gut-health
“I have been eating and drinking Kombucha and fermented foods my whole life,” says Yong Nani Smith, founder of the local fermentation business SoulSmith Kombucha.
Growing up in South Korea, Smith immigrated to California with her family over 40 years ago. Practicing holistic medicine and pro-gut health for as long as she can remember, Smith says that from an early age, she began to explore the benefits of probiotics and natural medicine.
SoulSmith Kombucha Assorted Flavors
Photo Credit: SoulSmith Kombucha
"I learned much of what I know about making these health promoting natural foods from my mother,” she says.
A firm-believer that there are no short cuts to achieving a healthy life style, Smith believes the process is a life-long journey. In more recent years, Smith began to notice a growing demanded for fermented products and a shift as consumers began to embrace gut healthy practices. Paired with a little encouragement from family, friends and clients, she officially launched the company in 2018.
"Sharing Kombucha and kimchi was the natural next step in my journey to holistically improve the health of my community,” says Smith, who taught yoga and meditation for two decades. “I have been encouraging and helping others yoga students and clients to live balanced life style by eating healthy foods, practice yoga , exercise and meditation.”
One of SoulSmith’s best-selling products is their red ginseng kombucha. Dubbed a stamina drink, the drink is fermented with six-year-old red ginseng and boasts double the potent, probiotic punch of regular kombucha. A new addition to Smith’s effervescent homebrew lineup is blueberry-ginger, a balanced beverage featuring a subtle sweetness and a smidge of spice. Offering a hefty-lineup of 25 flavors, they range from ginger-turmeric to the refreshing morning sunrise and fruit-forward mango-berry tango. In addition to bubbly beverages, Smith crafts a handful of funky snacks from bottles of turmeric-spiked radish to hibiscus-fermented ginger and kimchi.
Landing at Ellwood Thompson’s more than two years ago, Smith says, “We have been having a great relationship with management teams and employees at the Ellwood Thompson’s. Our sales at the Ellwood Thompson’s have been increasing tremendously, which we are so thankful for.”
SoulSmith is currently the only local manufacturer of the red ginseng stamina drink, and one of the only in the country. Smith hopes to continue to grow her collection and educate consumers on the importance of fermented foods.
“I believe in ancient wisdom and well-documented health benefits associated with drinking Kombucha and eating fermented foods,” says Smith, a mother of two sons.“The meaning behind the SoulSmith is that my kombucha contains my happy soul because I put all my love and passion for healing people when I make kombucha.”
SoulSmith Kombucha Assorted Flavors
Photo Credit: SoulSmith Kombucha