Ficus Zing

Nose and Palate. Empress's tasting notes describe a honey wine experience mirroring traditional mead. They pair the sweetness of figs with a rich honey aroma, enriched by ginger, cacao, cardamom and citrus.^[1]

Empress recommends Ficus Zing with creamy cheeses, cured meats and roasted dishes. It also suggests sweet dishes such as honey-drizzled pastry or salt-infused chocolates.^[1]

Empress's website gives the ingredient list as: Kombucha (water, culture, honey, green tea), fig, kombucha vinegar, orange peel, ginger, cacao nibs, cardamom, and organic sea salt.^[1]

The photographed front label gives a shorter account, listing figs, honey, cacao, cardamom, orange peel, and jun kombucha.^[3]

Jun Kombucha -- Base. The base is a jun kombucha, declared on the website as water, culture, honey and green tea. Empress describes it as enriched with fermented honey and hojicha green tea.^[1]

Honey -- Aroma. Honey appears within the kombucha on the website list and as a separate ingredient on the photographed label. Empress's tasting notes credit the drink with a rich honey aroma.^[1]

Fig -- Sweetness. Fig is listed on both the website and the photographed label. Empress's tasting notes describe the sweetness of figs.^[1]

Cacao Nibs, Cardamom and Ginger -- Spice. Cacao nibs, cardamom and ginger appear on the website list; the photographed label names cacao and cardamom. Empress's tasting notes describe ginger, cacao and cardamom as enriching the profile.^[1]

Orange Peel -- Citrus. Orange peel is listed on both the website and the photographed label. Empress's tasting notes name citrus among the drink's notes.^[1]

Kombucha Vinegar and Organic Sea Salt. Kombucha vinegar and organic sea salt complete the website ingredient list.^[1]

Specifications. The photographed front label describes Ficus Zing as a delicate honey wine alternative (Winealt), sparkling and alcohol-free. The website labels it pasteurized, fermented and non-alcoholic, and declares the following nutrition per 100 ml:^[1],[3]

• Energy: 18 kcal
• Fat: 0.1 g (of which saturated 0.04 g)
• Carbohydrates: 4.0 g (of which sugars 3.5 g)
• Protein: <0.1 g
• Salt: 0.02 g

Empress describes Ficus Zing as a contemporary honey wine reminiscent of mead without alcohol. It created the drink in collaboration with Oslo Brewing Co.^[1]

Empress lists Ficus Zing among its Winealts, alongside Moonbrew and Venus Rose. According to Empress, Winealts are neither de-alcoholized wines nor made from grapes. It describes them as kombucha-based beverages crafted with fermented fruits, herbs and botanicals to resemble the taste, aroma and mouthfeel of sparkling wine without alcohol.^[1],[2]