2023-11-04 05:00:00
Gombucha is the Gaulish version of Kombucha, a fermented drink made from tea, sugar and a culture of bacteria and yeast, an alternative aperitif to alcohol and increasingly popular in health and organic circles.
3 flavors sold
The manufacturing process is simple. The ingredients (mixture of a green/black tea infusion + sugar + starter + culture of yeast and bacteria) are left to ferment aerobically for a month, which will reduce the quantity of sugar, create acidity, as well as as vitamins and enzymes.
The next step consists of flavoring, creating harmonious tastes, with starter and chosen amenities.
“With François, we have carried out several tests since the launch of our project at the beginning of 2023, explains Julie Jacob. We offered five flavors for testing and our testers selected three flavors that we have been marketing since this fall. This is Fleur sureau and lime/IPA hops and grapefruit/blackberry and lavender.” They can be found in several points of sale in Gaume and also during events and tastings.
A graphic designer by training, Julie met François by chance a little over a year ago. He had just started producing Kombucha.
“In March 2023, my husband, Denis Wuilliaume, was enthusiastic regarding François partnering with us to create our own Kombucha micro-brewery. We opted for a reference reminiscent of Gaume: Gombucha is the name of our drinks,” says Julie Jacob.
Then last spring, guided by a Canadian consultant who has already helped numerous breweries around the world, Julie and François began their training in creating a Kombucha brewery.
“This consultant told us that making Kombucha was easy, but selling it was much less so. François was entirely intended to manage the production and the technical part, while I took charge of the marketing and development of the brand,” says Julie.
Brewed in Etalle
The two partners would like to thank the Sainte-Hélène breweries, Millvertus and the BAC (Arlon cooperative). The latter offered them the opportunity to taste the Gombuchas during its open days in July. “It was our first public event, we had successes, and also constructive comments, which allowed us to better target our market and our customers.”
Le Petit Barista, Grand-Rue in Virton, was the first establishment to sell Gombucha drinks. And several others follow this fall, like the Virton swimming pool!
From now on, the production of the micro-brewery is done from Etalle, at François’ parents’ home. “Our product is local, alcohol-free, not very sweet, filled with probiotics and is a very good intestinal balancer. It can appeal to children as much as adults and the elderly. We are convinced that it will expand and can replace sodas and alcoholic aperitifs,” adds designer Julie Jacob.
Where to find Gombucha drinks?
You can now find drinks in Virton (Gaumais Museum, Swimming Pool, Estea), Etalle (A weight that’s all), Bellefontaine (Heart of the village), Poncelle (Chez Lo et Li), Arlon (Café Labordure and Comptoir de la Cigogne in Toernich).
Original labels
Julie Jacob is attached to Gaumes heritage. The labels on the three bottles of Gombucha are archive photos: during the 1999 solar eclipse in Virton; during the Tour de Belgique cycling in Virton in 1970; a game of cards at the beginning of the 20th century at the Amboise café in Virton.
Gaume Jazz Festival, Tontegrange
If you would like to organize a Gombucha tasting or launch an event around this drink, simply consult the website www.gombucha.be, contact Julie Jacob on 0496 840678 or also by email at [email protected]
But the young mother has other strings to her bow, as a graphic designer by profession, she created her own micro-com agency, Parasol Studio, a few months ago, following having previously worked as an employee of an agency. “It was very frustrating for me, before, to notice that clients were sometimes frustrated when signing for a commercial and project and seeing the final outcome, information might be lost along the way. Now, I carry it alone the project with my client from A to Z. I fully immerse myself in his personality. I favor empathy. What can I offer my client that will make him happy? An idea, an image, a slogan”, confides Julie Jacob.
The young graphic designer from Gaume thus created, for this summer 2023, the rebranding of the Gaume Jazz de Rossignol (posters, leaflets, t-shirt, web banner), the image of the Tontegrange festival, but also the website and the logo of the Virton merchants association. She also has projects with the Gaumais Museum in Virton.
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