Food Chain - Issue 197 - December 2023 | Page 13

_________________________________________________________________________________________________ Main interview
A strong summer in 2023 saw MOMO hit record volumes of 20,000 bottles sold per week in September . In October , the brand hit a run rate revenue of more than £ 2 million . The team has increased from being a husband and wife led kitchen business to now being 15 strong .
MOMO has raised £ 1.5 million in investment from several angel investors including the founder of Planet Organic and Brixton Brewery and is targeting EBITDA breakeven next year on £ 2.5 million revenue .
Award-winning flavors
MOMO ’ s Elderflower is the number one bestselling soft drink on Ocado this year . From herbal medicine to cakes and cordials , people have been obsessed with elderflower for centuries . The company ’ s Ginger-Lemon flavor is number two and Raspberry-Hibiscus takes the number four spot . MOMO also makes its Turmeric product . The old-fashioned brewing process brings out turmeric ’ s deliciously earthy flavor , which is followed up with a hint of pineapple juice .
All of MOMO ’ s core range of kombuchas are Great Taste Award-winning . The most popular is Ginger Lemon . Some ingredients just work magic together and ginger is to kombucha what salt is to dark chocolate . Ginger Lemon is a staple that ’ s ideal as a morning pick-me-up . Alternatively , its Raspberry-Hibiscus product is sophisticated in profile and beautifully pink , thanks to a hint of organic crushed raspberry and plenty of hibiscus . The result is deeply hued and richly flavored , making it an excellent alcohol alternative .
As the highest scoring B Corp kombucha brand in Europe , MOMO has undertaken additional initiatives to improve its positive social and environmental impact . The company is proud to be a London Living Wage employer , certified organic by the Soil Association , and since its launch , has pledged to donate one percent of revenues to charitable causes . The organizations it has supported include Future Dreams , a breast cancer charity ; Crisis , the UK national charity working to end homelessness ; YoungMinds , the UK ’ s leading charity fighting for children and young people ’ s mental health , and Ol Pejeta , a Kenyan conservancy that provides sanctuary for local wildlife and invests in rural communities .
MOMO ’ s brand strength has led to partnerships with the likes of GANNI , Natoora , and Caravan Coffee Roasters ; having launched Coffee Kombucha with Caravan in spring 2023 , and Watermelon Kombucha with Natoora in the summer . There are more special collaborations planned for the coming months .
Homemade health
Co-Founder , Josh Puddle says : “ Starting MOMO was our way of living healthier , more connected lives . From the beginning we ’ ve made kombucha the old-fashioned , homemade way : in a small glass jar . It means we ’ re able to produce the tastiest and highest quality kombucha , which we brew and bottle from our London brewery . Over the next five years our ambition is to become the UK ’ s favorite kombucha and we are well on our way to being that due to our homemade production process and dedication to authenticity .”
MOMO ’ s raw and unfiltered kombucha is full of live cultures which support gut health and aid digestion . Kombucha also naturally contains acetic acid , which is great for boosting energy and lowering blood sugar levels . As kombucha is brewed from tea , it ’ s also full of antioxidants .
Among its fans , MOMO counts bestselling cookbook author and chef Melissa Hemsley , as well as gut health expert Tim Spector , who espouses the four Ks : kombucha , kefir , kraut and kimchi . Tim is a big fan of MOMO and took time out to visit the brewery in person to champion kombucha made with maximum health benefits .
“ MOMO is completely unfiltered for a fuller depth of flavor and always organic , making it better for you and better for the environment . It ’ s not easy making kombucha this way ,” Lisa concludes , “ but we know it ’ s worth it . We hope you ’ ll think so too .” ■
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