The oldest origin has kombucha arising in China around 221 BCE during the Qin Dynasty.  Kombucha was typically referred to as the “Tea of Immortality”.  The emperor Qin Shi Huang is said to have sought to lengthen his life and this tea of immortality was purportedly delivered by an alchemist at his request.  The first commercial kombucha was started in the late 90s and is still around today.