Kombucha is a type of fermented beverage which has become very popular in recent times due to its numerous healing properties.
This fizzy and healing drink owes its one-of-a-kind taste and texture to the kombucha mother or the mat of live microorganisms, i.e. bacteria and yeast, also known as SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast).
This living organism grows, multiplies, and ferments. This being said, it needs to remain clean and healthy. Kombucha is a great way to naturally boost your digestion and gut health, elevate your energy levels, and restore the pH balance.
Before we go on to show you how to prepare your own kombucha at home, let us learn more details about the health benefits it has to offer!
What Are the Benefits of Kombucha?
- Being a probiotic, it helps keep a healthy microflora and boost the digestion and nutrient absorption
- It averts bad bacteria from attaching onto the intestinal wall and thus, makes the immunity stronger and fights off illnesses
- People with digestive diseases like ulcers, IBS, Celiac, etc. can help minimize their symptoms when they increase the consumption of foods abundant in probiotics such as kombucha
- It helps better the mental health because a new research found that our gut and mental health and linked
- It will supply your body with important nutrients, including enzymes, folic acid, amino acids, antioxidants, zinc, iron, manganese, copper, and vitamins B1, B6, and B12
How to Make Kombucha
You will need:
A SCOBY, you can buy it online
A gallon of spring water
10 bags of black or green tea
A cup of cane sugar
A pot for boiling
A large container
White vinegar, distilled
Spoon for stirring
A thermometer
Cheesecloth
A stretchy rubber band
A heating pad
A space blanket
A pitcher or other method of transferring liquid
A metal strainer
Glass bottles, sealable
Let’s do it: Before you begin, make sure you sanitize everything by hand-washing them in very hot water or running them in the dishwasher.
Then, boil the 1 gallon of water in the pot. Once it starts to boil, remove the pot from heat and add the tea. Steep it for 15 minutes.
Remove the tea bags and add the sugar. Mix well. Put the tea aside to cool and then pour it into a jar or a jug. Once the tea is 75 to 80 degrees, place the SCOBY carefully together with the liquid. It may fall to the bottom and this is normal. As the fermentation happens, it will float to the top.
Stick the thermometer on the outside of the jug to keep track of the temperature. Cover it with cheesecloth and attach it with a rubber band. This allows the liquid to breathe.
Keep the jug in a dark area which is relatively warm and not disturbed by light or people. The kombucha needs to brew for 5 to 8 days.
Check the temperature regularly- for optimal results, the temperature should be 70 to 80 degrees.
Transfer the liquid into a pitcher and leave the SCOBY with a bit of liquid in the jug or jar. Store in the fridge and consume within a month.
Cover the SCOBY jar with cheesecloth and rubber band. Keep it in the same area for the next brewing batch.
Sources:
