If you've heard of kombucha but haven't yet discovered Jun, you're in for something special.
Jun is often described as the "champagne of kombucha" — a lighter, smoother, more delicate fermented tea that has its own devoted following among home brewers and fermentation enthusiasts. And while it shares some similarities with traditional kombucha, Jun is very much its own thing.
Here's everything you need to know.
What Is Jun Kombucha?
Jun is a fermented tea made using green tea and raw honey rather than the black tea and white sugar used in traditional kombucha.
Like kombucha, Jun is made with a living culture — a SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast) that has adapted specifically to green tea and honey. The fermentation process transforms the sweetened tea into a lightly tangy, naturally effervescent drink with a flavour profile that's noticeably different from regular kombucha.
Where traditional kombucha can be quite bold and vinegary, Jun tends to be softer and more floral — a reflection of the green tea and honey it's brewed with.
How Is Jun Different from Regular Kombucha?
The differences go beyond just the ingredients.
| Traditional Kombucha | Jun Kombucha | |
|---|---|---|
| Tea | Black tea | Green tea |
| Sweetener | White sugar | Raw honey |
| Culture | Kombucha SCOBY | Jun SCOBY |
| Flavour | Bold, tangy, vinegary | Lighter, floral, smooth |
| Fermentation temp | Room temperature | Slightly cooler preferred |
While kombucha SCOBYs and Jun SCOBYs look similar, they are distinct cultures adapted to their respective ingredients. A traditional kombucha SCOBY won't perform the same way in a Jun brew — which is why it's worth starting with a dedicated Jun culture.
What Does Jun Taste Like?
Jun has a naturally mild, slightly floral character with a gentle tartness and a smooth finish.
The green tea contributes a lighter, more subtle base than black tea, while the honey adds a delicate sweetness and complexity that sugar simply can't replicate. The result is a drink that feels refined and nuanced — less aggressive than a bold kombucha, but no less interesting.
Many people who find traditional kombucha too sharp or vinegary discover that Jun is exactly what they were looking for.
The Benefits of Brewing with Green Tea and Honey
Both green tea and raw honey bring their own characteristics to the brew.
Green tea is rich in polyphenols, including catechins, which are widely studied for their antioxidant properties. Using green tea as your base means your Jun starts with a naturally antioxidant-rich foundation.
Raw honey is a complex natural sweetener containing trace enzymes, minerals, and naturally occurring compounds. Unlike refined white sugar, raw honey contributes flavour and character to the fermentation process — not just sweetness.
Together, they create a fermentation environment that produces a drink with a flavour and nutritional profile that's distinct from traditional kombucha.
Note: As with kombucha, Jun should be enjoyed as part of a varied, balanced diet. It is not a medicine or treatment for any condition.
Is Jun Hard to Make at Home?
Not at all — especially if you're already familiar with brewing kombucha.
The process is very similar:
- Brew your green tea and allow it to cool
- Stir in raw honey (never add honey to hot tea — heat can damage its natural properties)
- Add your Jun SCOBY and starter tea to your fermentation vessel
- Cover and ferment at room temperature for 5–7 days
- Taste, bottle, and enjoy — or proceed to a second fermentation for extra fizz
The main things to keep in mind with Jun are to use raw honey (not processed or heat-treated honey) and to cool your tea fully before adding it. Both of these preserve the integrity of the culture and the character of the honey.
Fermentation time will vary depending on your environment — warmer temperatures speed things up, cooler temperatures slow them down. Taste your brew regularly and bottle when it reaches the balance of sweetness and tartness you enjoy.
Can You Do a Second Fermentation with Jun?
Absolutely — and it's highly recommended.
Second fermentation works the same way as with regular kombucha. Once you've removed your SCOBY, bottle your Jun with a small amount of flavouring (fruit, juice, ginger, or herbs), seal the bottles tightly, and leave them at room temperature for 2–4 days.
The natural yeasts in the Jun continue to ferment, producing CO₂ that carbonates the drink inside the sealed bottle. The result is a naturally sparkling Jun kombucha that can be every bit as fizzy as anything you'd find on a shop shelf.
Some excellent flavour pairings for Jun:
- Lemon + ginger — bright and clean
- Elderflower + apple — delicate and floral
- Peach + vanilla — soft and summery
- Lavender + honey — aromatic and soothing
- Raspberry + rose — elegant and fruity
- Pear + cardamom — warming and complex
Who Is Jun For?
Jun is worth trying if you:
- Find traditional kombucha too sharp or vinegary
- Already enjoy green tea and want to incorporate more of it into your routine
- Are interested in raw honey and its natural properties
- Want to explore different styles of home fermentation
- Are looking for a lighter, more nuanced fermented drink
It's also a beautiful introduction to fermentation for anyone who is new to brewing, thanks to its gentler flavour profile and relatively forgiving fermentation process.
Getting Started with Jun at Home
Our Jun Kombucha Kit contains everything you need to brew your first batch at home:
- An organically grown Jun SCOBY
- Starter tea
- Organic green tea bags
- A glass fermentation jar
- Step-by-step brewing instructions
It's designed to make your first Jun brew as straightforward as possible — no prior experience required.
Once you've caught the fermentation bug, you might also want to explore our Organic Kombucha SCOBY for traditional kombucha, or our Organic Water Kefir Grains for another style of naturally fermented drink.
Browse the full Eco Wellness Lab fermentation range to discover everything you can make at home.
The Bottom Line
Jun kombucha is one of those fermentation projects that rewards curiosity.
It's gentler, more floral, and more complex than traditional kombucha — and once you've tasted a well-brewed batch, it's easy to understand why it has such a dedicated following.
Whether you're an experienced home brewer looking to expand your repertoire, or a complete beginner wanting to start with something a little more approachable, Jun is absolutely worth trying.
Disclaimer: Jun kombucha can be enjoyed as part of a varied, balanced diet, but should not be considered a treatment or cure for any medical condition. Always follow safe food handling and fermentation practices.