What Should I Do? Can I Drink Kombucha?

1. Details about the situation

Ali, 34 years old, is a fitness enthusiast and health-conscious Muslim living in Chicago.

Lately, Ali has been trying to cut down on sugary drinks. During lunch at work, his colleague hands him a cold bottle and says, “You have to try this. It’s Kombucha! It’s healthy, probiotic, and great for your gut.”

Ali has seen Kombucha bottles at grocery stores before, labeled “fermented tea,” but he’s never tried it. Now, the word fermented immediately catches his attention.

He pauses, remembering that fermentation often involves alcohol. Curious and slightly uneasy, he decides to look it up before taking a sip.

2. Background

Kombucha is made by fermenting tea and sugar with a culture of bacteria and yeast. This process naturally produces trace amounts of alcohol, leading many Muslims to ask: Is it halal or haram to drink?

Islam isn’t about restriction– it’s about discernment. Living in an age of new food trends means Muslims must stay informed, not just about ingredients, but about how things are prepared. 

3. Ruling

According to Sayyid Sistani, it is permissible to consume if:

• The alcohol in Kombucha is not derived from wine or beer, so it is not najis (impure).
• The alcohol is in very small, dissolved amounts, what scholars call mustahlak [something close to 3%]

It is haram if:

• The drink can intoxicate the consumer. 
• It is made in a way that resembles or functions like beer (fuq‘a), then it becomes najis.

*Because Kombucha varies by brand and method, it’s best to check the alcohol content or avoid doubtful cases altogether. Scholars advise believers to be cautious unless you’re sure of the alcohol level.

In short: Kombucha is halal only if its alcohol level is a dissolved portion [mustahlak] and it is not prepared like beer. Otherwise, it should be avoided

4. Action

Ali flips the bottle around and reads the fine print: “Contains less than 0.5% alcohol.” 

Relieved, but still cautious, he quickly searches online for the specific brand’s production process. After confirming that the alcohol is naturally occurring and minimal, not like beer or wine, he decides it’s permissible to drink according to Sayyid Sistani’s rulings.

Still, Ali makes a note to himself to be mindful of where the Kombucha he consumes comes from.