PROBABLY THE BEST KOMBUCHA IN TOWN
Authentic Brew. Premium Taste
Our Journey, Our Mission
ABOUT US
Dedication and Commitment
At Releaf Kombucha, we are passionate about crafting the finest kombucha drinks for health-conscious individuals. With a dedication to quality and flavor, we meticulously brew each batch, ensuring a perfect balance of taste and nutrition.
Our commitment to sustainability and wellness drives everything we do, from sourcing the finest ingredients to minimizing our environmental footprint. Join us on a journey to revitalize your body and mind with our delicious, probiotic-rich kombucha creations.
Take a peek into how it all started for us at Releaf Kombucha. It began with a passion for healthy living and the magic of fermentation. Learn about the journey that turned that passion into our beloved kombucha recipes, each bottle filled with years of dedication and know-how.
For a lot of people, it’s quite normal to throw in the towel when the venture you’ve spent time and sweat on doesn’t work out. After all, knowing when to let go is part of being an entrepreneur.
But a common trait that most successful entrepreneurs have is the resilience to not let one defeat stop you from trying again.
And Edwin Ng from Penampang, Sabah, the founder of kombucha brand Releaf that’s turning four this year, is a prime example of that.
HOW IT ALL BEGAN
Our Kombucha business was inspired by an old friend’s Facebook post about her brewery.
“I realised that this fermented tea contains many health benefits, and I believe that many consumers started to prioritise their health after MCO,” he clarified after reading research papers on it.
Determined to give the business opportunity a shot, he called his friend Casandra Timothy and learnt the art of brewing with her.
Together, the pair collaborated with two of Edwin’s coursemates to fine tune her recipe for better taste and fragrance.
“We kept brewing and drinking, and kept throwing many batches of kombucha,” he described the R&D process. “We gave out free samples to friends, lecturers, and colleagues to get feedback, in order for us to brew out a perfect taste and smell of kombucha.”
After six months of hard work and countless failures, the quartet managed to brew Releaf’s first drink—their Original Black Tea kombucha (RM11.90 for 300ml).
Trusting the Process
To expand the business, Casandra and Edwin joined Sabah Pitch Borneo in 2020, where they became one of the top 10 finalists.
Part of their reward included RM20,000, which was used to purchase more brewing equipment and tools to expand Releaf’s production capacity.
It also allowed them to R&D new flavours like Jasmine Green Tea kombucha (RM11.90 for 300ml) and Lemon Ginger kombucha (RM13.90 for 300ml), broadening their ability to cater to different tastes. These can be bought online through their website and Shopee, or at partnering stores.
Aside from the financial support, winning the competition also enabled Releaf to work with University Malaysia Sabah (UMS). Specifically, Edwin shared that they’re researching ways to improve the quality of their kombucha and increase its lifespan.
But kombucha itself is quite a common business these days, so the brand took the extra step to pay for lab tests and obtain nutrition facts.
Besides that, another way the brand sets itself apart is through its sustainability commitment. For example, all of Releaf’s glass bottles are recollected from buyers once empty for reuse.
“We’re [also] exploring how we can convert SCOBY into secondary new products, [like] green materials and organic fertilisers that can benefit our environment and society,” he said.
Trust your instincts
JUST DO IT
Currently, Releaf’s production office is based in Gelugor, Penang and they’ve sold about 6,000 bottles thus far.
So perhaps the second time’s the charm. But how do you push through after your first business defeat?
To Edwin, it’s all about instincts. “I believe the phrase ‘When God closes a door, he opens a window’, so I followed my intuition and decided to give myself a chance and try again,” he confided.
“In the journey of entrepreneurship, I believe it’s important for us to explore and keep finding the right path for ourselves. You may not be good at selling vegetables, but you may be successful selling kombucha.”
With that, he believes entrepreneurs should treat failure as part of a learning curve. In his own words, you don’t have to be great to start because by not taking action, the probability of success is 0%. But if you dare to try, it increases your chances.
As for what was done differently with Releaf compared to the hydroponic farm, Edwin shared that it’s just a matter of good timing and the right group of people.
At the moment, Releaf still remains a side hustle while he continues to work as an engineer for Vitrox. Once the brand achieves higher profits or gains a high capital from investors, though, he’s prepared to dedicate more time and effort to it.
