AMA Brewery, a company with its origins in Irun, has introduced a natural non-alcoholic sparkling tea that is now distributed in restaurants and consumed in 20 countries. This innovative beverage was showcased at a gathering in Vitoria, organized by the EDA Drinks & Wine campus of the Basque Culinary Center.
Behind this project are prominent professionals from the culinary and enological fields. Initially, the company produced beverages called pét-nat tea, inspired by French pétillant naturel wines, using kombuchas carbonated in bottles, which earned them a mention in the Repsol Guide.
Currently, they have refined their fermentation process, fermenting tea in tanks and controlling microorganisms. A member of the research team is responsible for exploring this new range of natural bubbles, always with tea as the base. The company views tea similarly to how an enologist considers grapes, focusing on very small plots and investing significant time in the terroir (soil, climate) of the tea, which they source from small producers in Japan, Malawi, Sri Lanka, and Portugal.
They produce two types of beverages: one with 1.5% alcohol content, more suited for gastronomic pairings, and another completely non-alcoholic, with a more casual character. The latter is designed to be enjoyed at any time, whether during dinner or upon waking, emphasizing its versatility for consumption in various ways.
“"We think of tea as the enologist thinks of grapes, with very small plots, and we invest a lot of time in the terroir (the soil, the climate...) of the tea."
For its preparation, they start with a humble infusion, aiming to maximize its complexity during the fermentation process. Two fermentations are carried out, using different microorganisms to achieve the alcoholic or non-alcoholic version. Subsequently, the beverage is clarified, filtered, and then matured. It is recommended to serve it between 12 and 14 degrees Celsius.
In Donostia, these beverages are sold by the glass in several establishments, although the primary market consists of international restaurants, ranging from the United States and Canada to Germany, the United Kingdom, and Japan. Bottles can be purchased on the company's website for prices between 12 and 21 euros. Additionally, the company produces limited editions using bases other than tea, such as a sparkling beverage made from Galician seaweed for a two-Michelin-starred Dutch restaurant.
