"The term kombucha refers to two different things: the fizzy, vinegary beverage, and the culture that produces it. Many people are unaware that kombucha is an actual living, breathing thing, or rather a colony of them. How does it work? Once you acquire a living starter culture, usually from a friend or place of business, you periodically "feed" your kombucha a combination of sugar and black tea. The kombucha then works to ferment this mixture, turning it into a brown probiotic liquid that is supposed to have healing properties."