Taste Radio

Sean Lovett had a serious Coke habit -- until he found kombucha. That change had been long in the making. Like many other consumers, Lovett remained a loyal Coke drinker for years, despite creeping concerns about its high sugar and calorie count. Seeking a soda alternative with a healthy halo, he took his first sip of kombucha nearly a decade ago and has never looked back. It was an experience that launched a mission: create a brand that could serve as “the Coke of the kombucha world.” In 2010 Lovett founded Revive Kombucha, a Sonoma-based company whose focus is to “sustainably produce the best tasting kombucha you’ve ever had.” Leading with approachable flavors aimed at mainstream consumers, Revive is primarily sold along the West Coast and is also distributed in metro New York; the brand is sold nationally at Trader Joe’s. It might not yet be Coke, but Lovett believes he’s getting closer to his vision. In a wide-ranging interview included in this episode of Taste Radio, he explained Revive’s value as a “kom