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FAQ & Safety

Everything you’d ask us at a farmers’ market stall, starting with the one rule that matters most.

Asked & answered

What exactly is KHAR? +
KHAR is a traditional Assamese alkaline extract, made by burning the sun-dried peels of the wild Bhim Kol banana (Musa balbisiana) and filtering pure water through the mineral ash. The result is a naturally alkaline, potassium-rich concentrate that Assamese kitchens have used for centuries — we simply test it batch by batch, standardize it and bottle it with a dropper.
What does it taste like? +
At the recommended 3-drop dilution, almost nothing: a faint mineral softness, a little like premium alkaline spring water. In food it doesn’t add flavour so much as remove harshness: acidity rounds off and greens stay bright.
How is this different from baking soda in water? +
Baking soda is a single refined compound (sodium bicarbonate) made industrially. KHAR is a whole-plant mineral extract, predominantly potassium carbonates, with natural trace minerals from the peel — produced by fire and water alone. It's gentler in taste, potassium-based rather than sodium-heavy, and carries centuries of culinary tradition rather than a factory line.
Is it safe to drink every day? +
Khar has been consumed daily in Assam for generations, and our recommended dose (3 drops in a full glass of water) is deliberately modest. That said, it is a concentrated alkali: stay within the recommended dose, always dilute, and check with your doctor if you have kidney issues, are on a potassium-restricted diet, or take medication that interacts with antacids.
Can KHAR replace my apple cider vinegar habit? +
That's exactly the swap most of our beta testers made. People take ACV for digestion and ritual, but ACV is strongly acidic, which can erode tooth enamel and aggravate reflux. KHAR delivers a gut-settling morning ritual from the opposite end of the pH scale: alkaline, enamel-safe, and without the sour burn. See the science page for the full comparison.
How long does a bottle last? +
A 50 ml bottle holds roughly 1,000 drops: about 300 daily servings at 3 drops each, or around 3 months of the morning ritual. Used in cooking a few times a week as well, expect 2–3 months per bottle.
Does it need refrigeration? What’s the shelf life? +
No refrigeration needed. KHAR is a stable mineral solution with nothing in it that can spoil. Store it cool, dark and tightly capped, and it keeps for at least 24 months. The amber glass protects it from light.
Is it really zero-waste and organic? +
Yes. The only ingredient is the peel of wild and homestead-grown Bhim Kol bananas (a byproduct that would otherwise be discarded) plus pure water. Nothing is cultivated specifically for KHAR, nothing synthetic touches the process, and our packaging is glass, aluminium and paper. Read more in the origin story.
When will orders ship? +
We're bottling the first harvest now. Adding a product to your cart reserves your place in line at today's price; you'll get an email confirmation before anything is charged or shipped. Wholesale sample kits go out on the same schedule.
Can I take KHAR with a health condition? +
KHAR is a food, not a medicine, and nothing on this site is medical advice. If you're pregnant or nursing, have kidney or heart conditions, follow a restricted-mineral diet, or take prescription medication (especially anything affected by antacids), please talk to your doctor before adding KHAR to your routine.

Still curious? Write to us; a human answers every email.

Email hello@drinkkhar.com