Profile: Lucas Montanari, Fermenta Com Ciência, Brazil
I first interviewed Lucas in 2021, when he shared his opinion on why kombucha has become so popular in Brazil and the rapid growth of the industry from 2019 to 2021. He is the founder of Fermenta Com Ciência (Fermenting with Science), where he teaches courses, gives lectures, and provides consulting services. He is also the organizer of Conakom (Conferência Nacional de Produtores de Kombucha). His central role in promoting kombucha in Brazil is evidenced by his social media presence: 277,000 follow him on Instagram , 55,000 on Facebook , and 153,000 on his YouTube channel , which has 279 instructional videos. Fermenta Com Ciência’s Mission To work on cultivating the culture of fermenting probiotic beverages and functional fermented foods—bridging ancestral knowledge with the most current scientific foundations—and to teach, in a clear and practical manner, how to prepare these items safely and healthily, catering both to those who wish to produce them artisanally at home and to those looking to scale up and commercialize their products. History Lucas Montanari is a biologist specializing in fermentation, holding a postgraduate degree in Nutrigenomics and Functional Foods. He is also an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach certified by the IIN (NY, USA) and a faculty member in the Functional Gastronomy postgraduate program at FAMESP. In addition to Fermenta Com Ciência, and organizing Conakom , the Brazilian Kombucha Festival. He serves as the Technical Director of ABKOM (Brazilian Kombucha Association) and conducts research on the health benefits of kombucha and methods to optimize its large-scale production. He first encountered kombucha in Australia in 2013; after refining his expertise, he began his work with kombucha in Brazil in 2015. Since then, he has trained thousands of “Kombucheiros” through in-person courses, online programs, and consulting services for commercial production. He has played a key role in the development of numerous nationally successful brands, including Tchá Kombucha , Puro Verde , Aviv Kombucha , Mr. Bolt Kombucha , Kombucha Libre , and Lich Kombucha . Furthermore, he has collaborated with leading companies to develop specialized fermenters, equipment, and raw materials specifically designed for kombucha production. Consulting Services Their consulting service is designed for those who wish to delve deeper into the science of kombucha fermentation to gain greater control over their production process, develop market-friendly flavors, achieve better product standardization, and ensure more consistent carbonation—all while confidently scaling up production. Students learn how to serve kombucha “On Tap,” thereby increasing cost efficiency and sustainability in their business. Discover the equipment and methods utilized in various industrial kombucha production facilities worldwide, and identify the next steps needed to turn dreams into reality! The consultancy focuses on the production of kombucha for commercial sale—specifically: How to manufacture a high-quality, stable product with low alcohol content. Which equipment and techniques should be utilized to scale up and streamline commercial production. Which machinery and equipment should you employ to optimize manufacturing processes and flavoring techniques to give your product a competitive edge in the market. Recipes designed to maximize the efficient use of time, space, and investment. Techniques for achieving optimal levels of density and acidity, including the proper use of measurement instruments. How to serve kombucha on tap, including how to operate draft systems, kegs, post-mix units, CO2 cylinders, and other carbonation equipment. Courses Lucas teaches courses for both home brewers and commercial operations. Home Brewing This course is composed of seven modules: The Universe of Kombucha: Discover what kombucha truly is, and also learn about its origins—from ancient legends to the first scientific records—tracing its entire history right up