Kombucha is the Western name for sweetened tea or tisane that has been fermented by a macroscopic solid mass of microorganisms called a "kombucha colony," usually consisting principally of Bacterium xylinum and yeast cultures. It has gained much popular support within many communities, mentioned by talk show hosts, and celebrities. The increase in popularity can be seen with many commercial brands coming onto the retail market and thousands of web pages about this fermented beverage.