The Dr Bucha Story - Franchise
Dr Bucha is the home of high quality living drinks which provide support for gut health, digestion and immune systems. Brewed in small batches while supporting locals is one of our missions. We absolutely love what we do and we love hearing about how it is changing lives.
Where it all started
Dr Bucha’s Living Drinks was formed in 2021 with the ambition to create a living drink that gives back to people’s health after the pandemic. Fin had grown up with his mum making kombucha concoctions at home and loved the known health benefits of Kombucha. Donna and Fin have always been entrepreneurial and love the concept of creating a business that allows them to be home with their young family. The name Dr Bucha after learning that a Chinese Doctor first created Kombucha called Dr Kombu.
After many months of brewing and experimenting (with a lot of explosions) we shared our first ready to share batches with family and friends to gather feedback and improve on the recipe. Finally in November 2021 we hit our first market with one table, a sheet for a table cloth and half a dozen bottles - We sold out! We haven't looked back since!
Staying local with seasonal products
One of our major focuses is to support local/NZ products. Our glass bottles are NZ made recycled glass. We grow many of our own ingredients on our property including blueberries, raspberries, feijoas, apples, ginger, Kawakawa and more! We harvest what we can and then outsource what we need from other local producers whenever possible. We love experimenting with new flavours!
Every week we bring out a new flavor based on seasonal availability to share with our customers at the markets only. Our customers love trialing new flavours! A lot of our product range has come from one off flavours being in such high demand.
Farmers Markets are our favourite places to be
Focusing on supporting Farmers Market ethos and values in our own business is paramount to making sure we are running a sustainable business.
This includes local first, direct connection, community building, transparency and integrity, seasonal eating, spray free or organic (where every possible), low impact and small batch production - hand crafted, sustainable packaging (washing and reusing bottle collected from markets and stores), and sustainable practices with quality ingredients means we support the environment as well as a sustainable food system.
We honestly love what we do and so do those who work for us!
Meeting kombucha regulations
The biggest challenge we face is making sure our unpasteurised kombucha is meeting the regulations.
Kombucha regulations are new territory so Fin has spent a great deal of time researching and releasing data and research to help regulate and manage the conditions. We work hard to set a high standard of conditions that ensures our Kombucha stays under the alcohol limit, including a shorter than normal shelf life.
We are proud now to have a product range that allows us to sell safe living drinks filled with probiotics and gut loving bacteria that is giving back to so many lives.
Dr Bucha Tonics
In 2024 we launched our first Tonic range — Daily Ginger Tonic.
Ginger has so many amazing health benefits including digestive support, anti-inflammatory, immune support, blood sugar regulation, cardiovascular health and pain reduction to name a few. We wanted to create a super tonic concentrate based on our kombucha cider vinegar and these incredible ingredients.
Our tonic is jam packed with raw ingredients and has so much more variety in how it can be consumed — with the added bonus of a longer shelf life. Last year we won a medal in the NZ Food Awards commending it on its flavour! We have since improved it and is quickly becoming a favourite in our stores and markets.
Dr Bucha Water Kefir
Finally our newest product first brought to market at the end of 2025 is our Water Kefir.
Kefir grains (dairy free) originates from Mexico where the grains are known as Tibicos, founded on prickly pear cactus feeding on the sugar sap of the plant. Locals harvest it and use it to create a fermented sugar water drink that is light, slightly fizzy and refreshing.
Dr Bucha has utilised these traditional methods and created their Water Kefir that is filled with gut loving microbiomes including Lactobacillus, Leuconostoc and Saccharomyces creating support for digestive aid and reducing bloating. This is also becoming a favourite for those who may not like Kombucha and are looking for an alternative for a non alcoholic probiotic drink.
