Izmir University of Economics (IUE) graduates Anıl-Öykü Koman siblings and Çağlar Karapınar created a brand from the 2,500-year-old Kombucha drink, which is known as the 'health elixir' in the Far East. Acting upon the proposal of Öykü Koman, who liked Kombucha very much when she tasted in Sweden, where she continued her professional life, the team from IUE established a joint company and started selling all over Turkey over the internet under the brand 'Potto Kombucha'.
After graduating from IUE Department of Public Relations and Advertising, Öykü Koman (31) decided to go abroad and went to Sweden. Having achieved many successes by proving hers3elf at a young age, Koman became an advertising and campaign specialist for a famous e-commerce brand. Living in Sweden since 2016, Koman became acquainted with the Kombucha drink, which is obtained via the natural fermentation of green or black tea with sugar and a colony of bacteria and yeast called scoby.
IT BOOSTS THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
Koman, who frequently consumed the 2,500-year-old Far Eastern drink, which is stated to boost the immune system and increase body energy during the pandemic period, has decided to sell Kombucha in Turkey. Öykü Koman shared her opinion with her older brother Anıl Koman (35) who graduated from IUE Department of Business Administration in 2010, and his friend Çağlar Karapınar (34). Anıl Koman, who lives in England and is the founder of kitUP Mobile Application, and Çağlar Karapınar, who established his own company in Istanbul and manages export and domestic sales in different sectors, liked the proposal. Establishing a company together, the team started to sell Kombucha online to Turkish users at www.pottokombucha.com.
100 PERCENT NATURAL
Stating that people focused on healthy life during the pandemic period, and the habit of consuming healthy food and drink has increased, Öykü Koman said, “I have consumed kombucha for a long time in Sweden and experienced many health benefits. It relaxed my body, increased my energy and accelerated my metabolism. It is also known as a strong source of antioxidants and a storehouse of vitamins. We thought that we could create a brand and deliver this drink to Turkey in general, and we succeeded in that. Our production location is in Istanbul. In addition to making online sales throughout Turkey via the website, we continue to grow by cooperating with the cafes, restaurants and hotels we have agreements with. Our products are completely natural and produced in Turkey. Çağlar manages the sales part and Anıl manages the finance part. And I am in charge of the brand management.”
WHAT IS KOMBUCHA?
Kombucha tea, which was started to be made in the Far East 2,500 years ago and spread all over the world from there, is called a health elixir consisting of beneficial bacteria and yeast. Kombucha is considered as a probiotic and prebiotic drink. It balances and regulates the stomach and intestinal flora. It accelerates fat burning, speeds up metabolism, supports the immune system and is high in vitamin B. It is a source of antioxidants.
