Often referred to as “Champagne of life” Kombucha is classified as fungi made from tea and has a delicious tart taste. It's been around for nearly 2000 years and was first brewed in China and then spread to Japan and Russia. It became popular in Europe in the early 20th century. It is said that Kombucha is known for numerous health benefits and though these benefits are yet to be clinically proven this fact has not stopped this drink's growing popularity worldwide. Known for its refreshing taste, Kombucha is prepared by fermentation of black or green tea and from a “symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast” or SCOBY which grows when allowed to eat the tea leaves. Kombucha helps in cleansing the body and aids in better absorption of antioxidants and vitamins of tea easily.
Also, we would like you to take note that the benefits of Kombucha are not proven and there is a possibility that the bacteria ferment the tea to form alcohol content. Also consuming the wrong kind of Kombucha and drinking too much of it may produce harmful side effects. Also, we would advise you to purchase ready-made Kombucha to infuse with your tea rather than brewing your own mainly because homebrews can become contaminated as the culture needs to grow for nearly 4 weeks. Also, Kombucha works as a probiotic and the SCOBY needs to be acidic during the fermenting process otherwise mold will start to grow. But if you would still like to give it a go, here's a recipe you could use.
Ingredients:
3 ½ quarts of water
1 cup white sugar
8 bags black tea, green tea, or a mix and 2 tablespoons of loose tea leaves
2 cups of store-bought kombucha or a starter tea from the last batch.
Instructions
Put 3.5 cups of water in a stainless steel pot and boil for 5 minutes
Add 1 cup of white sugar to the pot
Dissolve the sugar completely.
Add the tea bags or loose leaves
Steep the tea for ten minutes
Add 3.5 cups room temperature water
Pour infusion into a glass jar
Add 1 cup of unflavored ready-made Kombucha
Mix the ingredients
Seal the jar air-tight *(This is important to avoid contamination)
Cover jar with a tea towel and rubber band
Store in a warm dark place
It would take at least 4 weeks till your Kombucha is ready to drink. Make sure to keep checking its progress. Once you have a mother fungi growing, there will be smaller spores as well. Kombucha is enjoyed before or after meals but so check with your doctor when its most suitable for you. Also stop drinking it if you are having an adverse effects and consult your doctor. Avoid using flavored teas for the primary stage of fermentation and instead infuse them in the second fermentation
Photo Credits: www.freepik.com/photos/kombucha">Kombucha photo created by boyarkinamarina