Two specialty food businesses launch in St. Louis area

Two new specialty food businesses aim to bring edible artisan products to St. Louis.

Fans of the fizzy, fermented tea beverage kombucha have a new local source: Komblu Kombucha. The Fenton-based company produces a certified-organic version of the drink in four flavors: grape, mango, ginger and citrus.

The bottled kombucha is available at Sym-bowl in Kirkwood and Chesterfield, Local Chef Kitchen in Ballwin, Farm To You Market in Washington and Roosters Health Food in Columbia, Ill.

It’s the first food venture for owner Andria Garcia, who hopes her kombucha appeals to everyone from trendy teenagers to health-conscious consumers looking for an alternative to soda. "My biggest goal is to not fit in the 'health' cliche,'" she said.

More interested in rich olive oil than funky tea? Olivino, a shop selling olive oils, balsamic vinegars, local food products, gift baskets and accessories for entertaining, recently opened at 1650 Beale St., at The Streets of St. Charles.

After a career in the corporate world, Debbie Baker-Oliver decided to channel her passion for good food into Olivino, where customers can sample pairings of olive oil and balsamic vinegars, plus try both as ingredients in foods ranging from caprese salads to brownies made with blood orange olive oil. The shop will also host private dinners with menus featuring olive oil.

Baker-Oliver owns a small winery in Washington and hopes to one day make her own wine available in the store. In the meantime, she plans to sell other local Missouri wine.

Olivino's grand opening event will be on Jan. 3. The store is open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.