Kombucha Culture Brings Costa Rica’s Tropical Heritage to the West Coast
The leading kombucha brand in Central America deepens its U.S. presence, rooted in organic farming, cultural tradition, and bold flavor innovation. Visit Kombucha Culture at Natural Products Expo West Fresh Ideas Marketplace on Tuesday March 3, 2026, in Anaheim, California.
LOS ANGELES (Jan. 26, 2026) — Rooted in the traditions of Costa Rica’s tropical culture and brewed with a deep respect for land and community, USDA certified organic Kombucha Culture is bringing its vibrant pura vida (“pure life”) spirit to more shelves across the West Coast. As the #1 kombucha brand in Central America, Kombucha Culture continues to expand its U.S. presence while staying true to the heritage, sustainability, and craftsmanship that define every can.
The idea for Kombucha Culture was born in 2014 in Southern California. Those initial dreams of creating an elevated kombucha experience flourished into something extraordinary when company co-founders David Comfort and Noel Brady moved to Costa Rica. Surrounded by lush rainforest, inspired by tropical ingredients, and guided by the "Pura Vida" lifestyle, Kombucha Culture evolved into something far bigger than a beverage. The result is a vibrant kombucha collection that captures the essence of Costa Rica’s land, “sabor,” and culture.
“Kombucha Culture started as a dream to create something meaningful and something that honored flavor, function and culture,” said David Comfort, co-founder of Kombucha Culture. “Costa Rica gave us the environment, the inspiration, and the community to turn that dream into reality.”
Kombucha Culture is still proudly brewed and packaged on the farm in Costa Rica using all certified organic ingredients, with fermentation and production carefully monitored by the team to ensure peak freshness. By infusing each brew with local fruits, roots, and plants, the company not only elevates the quality of its kombucha but also supports local farmers and helps preserve time honored agricultural practices.
Over the years, Kombucha Culture has pushed boundaries in the region, launching Central America’s first CBD-infused kombucha, the first hard kombucha in Latin America, and becoming the first USDA Organic-certified beverage produced in Costa Rica. Today, the brand is the leading kombucha in Costa Rica, found coast to coast, from the bustling streets of San José to laid-back beach towns like Malpaís on the Pacific and Puerto Limón on the Caribbean.
“Our connection to Costa Rica isn’t just where we brew, it’s also who we are; it’s like family,” said Mike Schall, U.S. General Manager. “Everything we do is rooted in respect for the land, the people, and the culture that embraced Kombucha Culture from the beginning.”
With consumer interest in fermented and functional beverages continuing to rise, Kombucha Culture offers a rare combination of category leadership, organic farming, and cultural authenticity. As the brand expands its presence in the U.S., Kombucha Culture is currently available in Southern California at premium natural and specialty retailers including Erewhon, Bristol Farms, Jimbo’s Naturally, and Lassens via UNFI, as well as select Pacific Northwest retailers such as Town & Country Markets via Crown Pacific Fine Foods.
Kombucha Culture’s lineup is Certified Organic, vegan, gluten free, and made with real, all-natural ingredients.
Boho: A bright, tropical fusion with tangy notes of fresh ginger, pineapple and hibiscus
Island Roots: Earthy, grounding flavors of turmeric, ginger, lemon and black pepper
Purple Rain: A bold, antioxidant-rich blend with chamomile, lavender and butterfly pea flowers
Golden Hour: A ginger-passion fruit uplift inspired by sun-soaked evenings on the coast
Dragon Rose: A new flavor with a smooth blend of dragon fruit and rose water
Each can delivers probiotic benefits to support digestion, antioxidant-rich ingredients to help fight inflammation, and provides a clean, natural energy along with all the fizzy refreshment of modern soda, but with fewer than 70 calories per can.
Brewed with passion, shared with purpose, and canned with character, Kombucha Culture continues to build a movement—inviting consumers to taste the culture and feel the pura vida spirit in every smooth sip.
Visit Kombucha Culture at Expo West 2026
At Expo West 2026, Kombucha Culture will bring its tropical lineup to life in the Fresh Ideas Organic Marketplace, Tuesday March 3rd, at Table #F29. Attendees can experience its signature flavors and discover how the brand bridges Costa Rica’s vitality with California’s surf-and-sport lifestyle.
About Kombucha Culture
Drink Smart. Live PURA VIDA.
Kombucha Culture is a craft kombucha brand brewed in Costa Rica and inspired by the country's pure vida lifestyle which is a celebration of health, happiness, and connection. Made with Certified Organic, vegan, and gluten-free ingredients, Kombucha Culture features zero artificial flavors, all-natural tropical ingredients, and 70 calories or less per can. Each probiotic-rich, antioxidant-packed blend is designed to refresh, energize, and restore balance naturally. Kombucha Culture is available at premium natural and specialty retailers including Erewhon, Bristol Farms, Jimbo's Naturally, Jensen’s Market, and Lassen's in Southern California, as well as select Pacific Northwest retailers such as Town & Country Markets and through leading distributors including UNFI (Moreno Valley). Learn more at kombuchaculture.com and follow on Instagram and Facebook.
For wholesale inquiries, contact puravida@kombuchaculture.com
Media Contact: Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, steve@compassnatural.com, tel 303.807.1042
The Secret Sauce Behind a Successful Brand – Join Mike Schall, FocalPoint, on Compass Coffee Talk, August 18, 11:30am EDT
The Secret Sauce Behind a Successful Brand
Former Whole Foods Market Senior Leader of Global Growth and Business Development Mike Schall Will Share Key Components to Success on the Next Compass Coffee Talk™
Wednesday, August 18, 11:30 am – Noon EDT
Zoom, Admission is Free
Mike Schall
Schall is the Managing Director of FocalPoint, a middle-market international investment banking firm, where he also serves as a co-leader for the company’s Food & Beverage practice. Prior to joining FocalPoint, Mike was an integral part of the global senior executive team at Whole Foods Market, where he first served as an advisor to the E-Team and subsequently joined Whole Foods Market as Senior Coordinator, Global Growth and Business Development, providing leadership on a wide range of business initiatives including investments, acquisitions, new ventures, strategic partnerships as well as product development for Whole Foods Market Exclusive Brands.
Mike serves on a number of national boards and organizations and is an active Advisory Board member of Compass Natural Marketing. In addition, Mike has held various C-level positions in food companies for more than 30 years, including Fresh Food Concepts, Monterey Gourmet Foods, Guiltless Gourmet, Townsend’s, David Michael Flavors, Wise Foods, and The B. Manischewitz Company.
About Mike Schall
Mike Schall has successfully navigated significant growth periods, and food recalls; led sales, marketing, culinary, product development, and quality assurance teams; negotiated strategic joint ventures with Fortune 500 companies such as ConAgra and Proctor & Gamble; and served on audit and strategic mergers and acquisitions committees.
Mike Schall graduated from the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business with a Master of Business Administration in marketing. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts in marketing from California State University, Los Angeles. He is a frequent speaker at food and beverage industry events and has authored numerous food industry articles and blogs. Mike is an advocate for Atlanta-based OnBoard, a non-profit supporting women in leadership. He is plant-based, an avid runner, and enjoys cooking, reading, and studying history. He and Lisa, his wife of 40 years, have two daughters and three granddaughters.
About Compass Coffee Talk™
Take a 30-minute virtual coffee break with Compass Coffee Talk™. Hosted by natural industry veterans Bill Capsalis and Steve Hoffman, Coffee Talk features lively interactive conversations with industry leaders and experts designed to help guide entrepreneurs and businesses of any size succeed in the market for natural, organic, regenerative, hemp-derived and other eco-friendly products.
Compass Coffee Talk™ is produced by Compass Natural Marketing, a leading PR, branding and business development agency serving the natural and organic products industry. Learn more.
VIEW OUR PAST COMPASS COFFEE TALK EPISODES ON YOUTUBE
Compass Natural Marketing™ Forms New Advisory Board
Seasoned Natural Products Executives Partner with Agency’s Specialized Team of Experts, and Provide Additional Support for Clients in Regenerative, Hemp, and Organic Industries
Boulder, CO (October 13, 2020) – Boulder-based Compass Natural Marketing is pleased to announce the launch of its newly established Advisory Board along with the appointment of three charter members. Natural products industry veterans Ari Adams, Bill Capsalis, and Mike Schall will provide their depth of knowledge, insights, and guidance to the Compass Natural Advisory Board, in addition to supporting the agency’s current team of specialized communications experts. Compass Advisory Board members will foster positive relationships and collaborate directly with Compass’s clients in the regenerative agriculture, industrial hemp, and organic and natural products industries.
“I am proud and honored for Ari, Bill, and Mike to join Compass's new Advisory Board. Each of these distinguished leaders has complementary skill sets, yet diversified disciplines that appeal to our client’s needs," said Steven Hoffman, Founder and Managing Partner, Compass Natural Marketing. “The Advisory Board’s level of expertise combined with the skill set of our internal team positions Compass as a premier boutique niche agency. This collaboration reflects a deeper commitment to the industries we serve, and I am grateful to announce this partnership.”
The Compass Advisory Board is in its initial phase and board positions are being considered on an individual basis. For more information on the Compass Natural team, including capabilities and how to connect your brand to valuable media, please visit www.compassnatural.com or contact Steven Hoffman at steve@compassnaturalmarketing.com.
ARI ADAMS
Ari Adams is a parenting and lifestyle blogger, author, and CEO of ShiftCon Media, producer of the annual ShiftCon Eco-Wellness Influencer Conference for eco-friendly and health-conscious bloggers and influencers. She holds a master's degree in marketing and has more than 15 years of experience in the media industry. Ari is the lady behind the lifestyle and parenting blog Love, Peace & Tiny Feet, where she shares her adventures of balancing parenthood, holistic wellness, DIY crafts, recipes, and other tips for parents. Ari studied at the University of Virginia and Georgia State University and holds a Master's Degree in Marketing. Ari also serves as an Adjunct Professor of Digital Marketing at Clayton State University in Atlanta, GA.
BILL CAPSALIS
As an avid healthy lifestyle expert, Bill works with emerging brands and mid-sized companies on everything from brand & sales channel strategy, finance, operational challenges, and product innovation. His in-depth knowledge of the natural products industry gives him a unique perspective on today’s food and beverage brands' challenges and opportunities. He is a recognized expert in healthy lifestyles and go-to-market strategies in the natural and organic industry. He is currently the interim CEO of Haystack Mountain Creamery - an artisanal goat cheese company. Practicing what he preaches, Bill leads a vegan, low-impact conscious lifestyle and has done so in Boulder, Colorado, for 34 years.
MIKE SCHALL
Mike has over three decades of senior management experience in branded food companies spanning large national brands' entrepreneurial initiatives. Mike is a Managing Director at Los Angeles based FocalPoint Partners, LLC, a middle-market investment banking firm and serves as a co-leader of the firm's Food & Beverage Practice. He previously served as Senior Principal of Business Development at Whole Foods Market where he worked with the executive leadership team on a wide range of strategic, investment and operating initiatives. Mike earned his MBA in Marketing from The University of Southern California's Marshall School of Business and graduated from California State University with a bachelor's degree in Marketing. He is plant-based, an avid runner, and enjoys cooking, reading, and studying history. He and Lisa, his wife of 40 years, have two daughters and three granddaughters.
About Compass Natural Marketing
Based in Boulder, Colorado - considered by many to be the "Epicenter of the Natural Products Industry," Compass Natural is a boutique digital marketing, branding, PR, and business development agency serving the rapidly growing market for natural, organic, socially responsible, eco-friendly and other healthy lifestyles products. Founded in late 2001 and driven by a commitment to creating a better world through business, Compass Natural has been a leader in the Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability (LOHAS) market.
Contact
Steven Hoffman, Founder/Managing Director, Compass Natural Marketing, 303.807.1042, steve@compassnaturalmarketing.com
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