The Fermenstation: what it is and why all kombucha lovers need it 

Michael Churchill, CEO of Kombu, had been brewing kombucha at home for years. Then, one day, his wife, Natalia Amijo, industrial designer and co-founder of Kombu, pointed out that his setup was, essentially, a repulsive mess. Surely, they thought, there ought to be a kombucha brewing appliance that blends functionality with great design out there. They found zilch. So they decided to create their own solution.

Showcased for the first time during CES 2025, San Francisco-based hardware startup Kombu’s Fermenstation brewing system superbly simplifies the at-home kombucha-crafting process via a low-heating, temperature-controlled, innovative formula and by adding a high-tech touch to fermentation.

A slightly fizzy, sweetened drink rich in live microorganisms and polyphenols, kombucha is made by fermenting green, black, or white tea with a special symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeasts. It is considered a “tea for a long life” and its taste is often described as a mix between champagne and vinegar. Kombucha helps rebalance the intestinal flora and it is believed it has the power to reverse the appearance of gray hair, cure acne, and even improve one’s mood.

What does brewing kombucha at home entail? It involves multiple, time-consuming steps–boiling tea, cooling it, adding sugar, waiting for fermentation, and regularly testing the flavor. It also requires glass bottles covered with cloths which carries risks, as open containers cause unwanted bacteria or mold.

The Fermenstation combines all these essential steps into one and significantly simplifies them. Churchill and Amijo met while studying at Pasadena’s ArtCenter College of Design and the inventive product blends their respective practices and expertise–while Churchill has experience working with automotive OEMs and an electric vehicle startup, Amijo’s background includes virtual reality, a startup in the mobility sector and creative direction.

At the heart of the Fermenstation lies a low-heating, temperature-controlled system to maintain a stable brewing temperature (between 75°F and 85°F) for a pre-set number of days. It also comes with a built-in, ambient air sensor to control the heating pads and maintain the perfect warmth during that time.

Thanks to its companion IoT mobile app, one can control the device remotely, set timers, adjust and monitor temperature settings, and receive real-time notifications about the brew’s progress. This allows for customization and perfecting of one’s brew with ease. After simply adding tea, sugar, and starter liquid, everything gets going. 

With its minimalist, elegant design and compact sizing, The Fermenstation comes with four bottles, a built-in spigot for continuous brewing, and a convenient storage compartment for the bottles inside the Fermenstation itself. Measuring 7.4 inches wide, 10.5 inches high, and 14 inches long, the Fermenstation is a countertop machine made from borosilicate glass, PET plastic, stainless steel, and ripstop nylon and features minimalist analog controls. 

After surpassing its $25,000 Kickstarter goal with nearly $105,000 in backing, Kombu is set to begin shipping pre-orders of the Fermenstation between April and June of this year to customers in the U.S. and Canada. Kombu plans to expand its business and offerings in the realms of fermented foods with subscription services for teas and flavor concentrates–and more enticing gadgetry.

With its sterile, space-efficient design, the Fermenstation elevates the at-home kombucha-making process and marks Kombu’s enchanting first chapter into revolutionizing modern fermentation and gut health.