A LOW SUGAR ALTERNATIVE

Sandie and Heather started Banjo Brews kombucha for Heather’s cafe as a low sugar alternative to other drinks on the market. The café was sold just over two years ago and they started brewing up a storm in a little commercial kitchen which was a converted tool shed at Sandie’s place in Seddon.

Q: What is the brand story?

A: Banjo Brews started out selling at the local Farmers markets. People loved them and before long we were taking over another shed to do more brewing. In November 2016 the pair went to the Go Green expo in Wellington where they made lots of new contacts and were very excited about the future for Banjo Brews but that night the Kaikoura earthquake struck, and the brewery was pretty much destroyed. Within six months they had redone the brewery and were off again, with the support of some much appreciated stockists.

Q: What is the current product range and variants and what makes these products stand out in the market?

A: The product range has seven unique flavours, including Blueberry Elderflower and Peach, Turmeric and Chilli. The product stands out for the following reasons. Firstly it tastes delicious. It is low sugar. It is made in the authentic manner, no weird additives, and no forced carbonation. It is biogro certified organic. It is made with real fruit and herbs and spices.

Q: What is innovative or unique about the product?

A: Kombucha is fermented tea – it tastes great, a bit like a cider or ginger beer. The bonus is it’s full of healthy acids and probiotics. Banjo Brews kombucha is batch brewed in the same traditional and authentic way it has for two thousand years, no weird sugars, no forced carbonation. Banjo Brews is certified Biogro organic, is Living Wage accredited and are members of Conscious Consumers NZ.

Q: Who is your consumer and what benefit does the product bring them?

A: The consumer group is large and diverse. Our kombucha appeals to people who are trying to make healthy food and drink choices. Banjo Brews kombucha supports this by being a low sugar drink, which is rich in healthy acids and great for gut health.

Q: What consumer trend does the product support?

A: Cutting back on sugar intake kombucha is a healthy alternative to both juices and high sugar sodas. Kombucha is a great alternative to alcohol as it has an interesting and unique flavour, and it is also great for gut health. n

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