We Met Over Coffee
Here at Saxbys HQ, we’ve long tinkered with the idea of serving kombucha, a fermented, flavored tea that boasts a bevy of health benefits. So when we met Olga Sorzano, a brewer who grew up with the stuff (“kombucha” was actually one of her first words), we knew she was the right person to bring kombucha to our cafes. Her delicious, locally made kombucha, called Baba’s Brew, is now available at Saxbys Haverford, Saxbys 30th Street, Saxbys Drexel, Saxbys UPenn and Saxbys Rittenhouse. We chatted with Olga about her nano-brewery in West Chester, the ingredients she sources from local farmers, and the traditions she picked up from her great grandmother and namesake, Baba.
We love that Baba's Brew was inspired by your great grandmother. Can you tell us the full story?
My mom once told me, “Many new things are nothing but well-forgotten old ones.” When it comes to my kombucha adventure, she couldn’t be more right.
Kombucha was probably one of the first words I learned from my great grandmother, Baba, as a child growing up in Russia. As far back as I can remember, Baba always had a thick glass jar tucked away in the top corner of the pantry. I grew up regularly drinking Baba’s kombucha. Years later when I was living in the U.S. and expecting my first child, I began to have cravings for that taste of home. I realized I needed to get back to my roots and decided to start brewing kombucha using my Old World recipe. I began selling my brews in 2015.
My Baba Dora, who taught me everything I know about brewing, was truly an amazing woman. She was born on November 16, 1908 in Siberia. She lived through the Russian revolution, survived two wars, and raised four children on her own. When she was a young girl, her father affectionately called her "Little Red Squirrel” because of her fiery red hair. The nickname stuck with her.
Since my mom had to return to work soon after I was born and my grandmother was still working as well, Baba Dora moved in with us and pretty much single-handedly raised me until I was five years old. Unfortunately I don’t remember her as a redhead; the age and long, hard life turned her fiery red hair silver. But, crazy enough, my daughter Kira was born on the same day as my baba (only 106 years later), and she also had red hair when she was born!
So this kombucha adventure is a dedication to my beloved Baba Dora, my Little Red Squirrel. Na Zdorovie! (Cheers!)
What sets Baba's Brew apart from other kombucha brewers?
Baba's Brew is a local kombucha nano-brewery located in West Chester, PA. Our goal is to be a local brand that maintains close relationships with local farmers. So instead of using imported ingredients like mango and passion fruit, we source locally grown Asian pears, apples, berries, herbs, and honey. Before starting our brewery, I didn’t realize that you can find such a variety of Pennsylvania-grown fruits. We’ve found local persimmons, plums, cherries, peaches, and even quince!
We do not use purees, juices, or concentrates, so it is very low in sugar. All of our kombuchas are slowly infused with herbs or fruits, which creates a wonderful, effervescent, champagne-like beverage.
What are your favorite ingredients to work with?
I worked as a chef for 20 years, and I love to play with herbs. They create a delightful complexity and add various layers of flavors. Our Flower Power kombucha (currently sold at select Saxbys) is a great example of this. It has a beautifully balanced blend of lavender, rose petals, tulsi basil, and hibiscus.
We’re so happy to be working with another local company! How long have you lived here for? What are your favorite things about the area?
I moved to the Philadelphia area 13 years ago. I completely fell in love with the beauty of Chester County: Its hiking trails, parks, museums and, of course, the restaurants! As a chef and a foodie, I enjoy exploring the magnificent restaurant scene of the area. Dining out gives me inspiration and excitement.
What are your favorite places to go in West Chester and the greater Philly area? (Besides Saxbys, of course…)
I am a huge fan of local farmer’s markets. Phoenixville Farmer’s Market is a good place to be year around, but especially in the summer. There is nothing better than a perfectly ripened strawberry, picked that very morning. Or a gorgeous juicy pear, brought to the market from local farm just a few miles away from my home.
What Saxbys menu item do you think pairs best with your kombucha?
My husband is a huge coffee fan, and we discovered Saxbys in the city five years ago and were thrilled to discover it’s a Philly-based company. I love pairing my kombucha with the freshly baked goods at Saxbys. Our brew is so light and refreshing, so it makes a perfect pairing to all the rich muffins, delicate biscotti, and crunchy cookies.
You can purchase Baba’s Brew kombucha in two flavors, Blueberry and Flower Power, at Saxbys Haverford, Saxbys 30th Street, Saxbys Drexel, Saxbys UPenn and Saxbys Rittenhouse. Let Olga know what you think of Baba’s Brew (she also welcomes stories about your baba) by emailing drink@babasbrew.com.