When Lisa Bledsoe first discovered kombucha, it wasn’t in a trendy café or a grocery aisle. It was on a local farm while picking up goat’s milk. “I fell in love with the fizziness and the taste,” she recalls. “I felt like this was my new pop replacement, and it would also come with many health benefits.” What began as a single jar of homemade kombucha quickly grew into a passion and eventually a thriving business rooted right here in Johnson County.
Founded in 2010, Tea-Biotics has grown from humble garage brewing into the largest local kombucha supplier in Kansas City. By 2015, Bledsoe took a leap of faith, securing a loan and building her first facility to meet the growing demand. Today, Tea-Biotics is a regional staple with a strong following of loyal customers who swear by both the flavor and the health benefits.
The journey started with a personal health wake-up call. After reading a study about aspartame, Bledsoe decided to give up soda. “I was shocked to discover that I had unknowingly been poisoning myself,” she says. Kombucha quickly became her natural, fizzy alternative. What began as a hobby turned into a mission: to brew a healthier, more natural drink without the chemicals, dyes, or additives so common in commercial beverages.
Tea-Biotics now offers a wide variety of flavors, including seasonal favorites like Spiced Cider and Cranberry Apple, perfect for fall. The kombucha is made with all organic ingredients, structured reverse osmosis water, and brewed organic tea, a commitment to quality that sets them apart. “Not all kombucha is created equal,” Bledsoe explains. “We go the extra mile using all organic ingredients, never any chemicals, dyes, or emulsifiers.”
That dedication has fueled impressive growth. Today, Tea-Biotics can be found across Kansas City and beyond at the Overland Park and Lee’s Summit Farmers Markets, Hen House, Whole Foods, Natural Grocers, and dozens of local coffee shops, restaurants, and hospitals. Their reach even extends to Missouri universities and distributors who supply kombucha to colleges and cafés across the state.
Beyond great taste, kombucha has built its reputation on wellness. Fans of Tea-Biotics report benefits ranging from improved digestion and blood sugar control to increased energy and immune support. Many also credit kombucha with mood enhancement, weight management, and easing joint pain. For Bledsoe, hearing these stories never gets old. “Every time I hear testimony about how Tea-Biotics kombucha changes people’s lives it makes me smile. Let food be thy medicine! That’s why I love what I do.”
The brand’s growth shows no signs of slowing. Tea-Biotics is now exploring opportunities to franchise its signature kombucha taprooms in other states, bringing the fizz and flavor to even more communities.
For Johnson County residents, Tea-Biotics is more than just a drink. It is a homegrown success story rooted in passion, health, and community. What started with one woman’s decision to ditch diet soda has blossomed into a thriving local brand with a mission to offer a better-for-you beverage that brings joy, vitality, and connection with every sip.
For more information, visit tea-biotics.com or follow on Instagram @teabiotics