292827 Thu May 15 00:30:42 -0700 2003 9 27 General Chowhounding Topics 0 1599687 Does anyone know the correct pronunciation of Kombucha (the fermented mushroom-n-tea drink)? Is is [kom-BOO-cha] or [KOM-bu-cha] ? I always assumed it was [KOM-bu-cha] in a Japanese accent, but most people seem to pronounce it [kom-BOO-cha] like in an African accent. Thu May 15 00:30:42 -0700 2003 0 happy 1 1599709 Well, I am not sure if it answers your question, but the page linked below probably answers every other possible question about kombucha! Link: http://w3.trib.com/~kombu/FAQ/index.shtml Thu May 15 11:52:37 -0700 2003 1599687 0 Chris VR 1 1599722 "I always assumed it was [KOM-bu-cha] in a Japanese accent" Even "Kombu" is not mentioned by America's TV reporters very often. The word, "Kombucha", never shows up on TV or radio. Thu May 15 12:52:03 -0700 2003 1599687 0 Hiko Ikeda 2 1599736 I think the question was asking for the Japanese pronunciation. Probably you can confirm that the original poster is correct-- the pronunciation can be explained to a native English speaker has being closer to KOM-bu-cha, stress on the first mora, not the second. And the seaweed itself is KOM-bu not kom-BU. Thu May 15 14:49:12 -0700 2003 1599722 0 talla 3 1599763 "I think the question was asking for the Japanese pronunciation" When it comes to saying Japanese words, nothing is pronounced more/stronger/louder, unlike English. Is this a food discussion clip? Thu May 15 19:22:29 -0700 2003 1599736 0 Hiko Ikeda 4 1599794 That's why I also suggested, please inform the poster in a way that "pronunciation can be explained to a native English speaker". I'm aware about that difference with Japanese, but over a medium like this there is probably no better way to explain to native English speakers in a way that they will understand easily how to pronounce a word in Japanese, because syllable stresses are how they are used to thinking about pronunciation. Also, I think letting someone know the correct pronounciation of a food qualifies as discussion about food. So then we may conclude that although parts of Japanese words cannot be characterized as being pronounced stonger or louder than another, for purposes of explaining to native English speakers, without confusing them, how to pronounce "kombucha" without launching into a Japanese language lecture, we may be a bit loose in our explanation of how Japanese words should be pronounced and say that they are better off sticking with "KOM-bu-cha." That still leaves us with previous poster Kirk's question. Fri May 16 10:41:56 -0700 2003 1599763 0 talla 5 1599984 Although I do not know how many commercial Kombucha products are made in Japan today, the followings show the name written in Japanese. When I say it in Japanese, there is no stress....As I said "flat". Repeating; I NEVER, NEVER hear an American mention it. So, a new thing like a nation's name, WE DO NOT KNOW HOW TO SAY IT IN ENGLISH. Link: http://www.katagiri.com/ctlg/jpgf/l/0361.htm Sun May 18 20:28:39 -0700 2003 1599794 0 Hiko Ikeda 2 1599739 I've been confused for a few years about name kombucha. Growing up, I remember drinking a "tea" made from powdered kelp (konbu) that was called kombucha. I presume the kelp tea is still available -- and in fact, I have developed a craving for it thinking about it today. How did the fermented fungus drink with alleged near-mystical powers come to go by the same name? Thu May 15 15:04:07 -0700 2003 1599722 0 Kirk 3 1599908 According to the kombucha website, it's named after a person, doctor kombu, who prescribed the tea to some emperor way back. Link: http://w3.trib.com/~kombu/roche.html Sat May 17 09:47:06 -0700 2003 1599739 0 adam 4 1599923 Thanks, Adam. Sat May 17 15:30:33 -0700 2003 1599908 0 Kirk