Kombucha- also known as SCOBY, Mother, Baby, Mushroom, Tea Beast- it all is on the weird side of traditional foods, but is interesting nonetheless! I finally made my first kombucha last month. I followed Briana’s directions of making a strong tea, adding sugar (yes, refined sugar is called for in this Nourishing Traditions
Picture is my first batch of kombucha ready to go in the fridge, and the mother (mushroom) still in the glass jar waiting to be re-filled with sweet tea to ferment again.
My first batch didn’t produce a baby, but I asked about it on Facebook and it’s most likely because I had the mother refrigerated prior to use. Now if I need to set the mushroom aside between uses I cover with some kombucha and keep in a mason jar covered with a cloth napkin on my counter.
While it was fermenting, I looked for more information on this little concoction. Interesting stuff!
What is kombucha?
The Kombucha mushroom is not really a mushroom, or even related to mushrooms, in reality it is a symbiotic relationship between a number of bacteria (beneficial) and special yeast cultures. The symbiotic nature of the bacteria and yeast ferments sweetened tea to become kombucha tea, a refreshing, naturally carbonated beverage used for over two thousand years as a refreshing beverage as well as a beneficial tonic.
Potential Health Benefits:
Kombucha is a culture, so it’s full of probiotics like lactofermented veggies and yogurt. It’s a little bit of an acquired taste, but once you
are hooked it’s a wonderful natural substitute for soda. The culturing process brings out more nutrients from the tea. Kombucha is said to help CFS and EBV, detoxify the liver, prevent acid reflux, be helpful to reduce alcohol cravings for recovering alcoholics (see below for precautions with that), provide B vitamins, and more (you can read a lot of incidental findings on Earth Clinic).
Precautions:
What to watch for when making kombucha: Watch for fuzzy mold to develop- if it does, throw it out. I seem to have really good results with my ferments/cultures and have never had to throw anything out, so I think this would be pretty rare.
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We drink 12 oz daily here, 2 of my sons & myself.
I have gotten fuzzy scoby's when I have given up on a gallon & left it there for many months, but usually, when I leave one too long, it turns to vinegar, which I use for hair washing & cleaning in place of apple cider vinegar.
I've recently started using green tea – not sure it works (fizzes) quite as well as black. Previous attempts with rooibos (read online that it would work) were not very successful.
After reading about adding fruit when decanting, tried blueberries, cranberries & various jams – worked well. Recently read about adding clear juice, so tried w/ apple & white grape, but they seemed to add a funky taste.
There are several Yahoo groups about Kombucha…
My daughter and I have been drinking kombucha (we call it "Scooby Juice") for months now. I always have it sit for a few weeks before bottling because I find it fizzes more, or maybe that has more to do with how long it has been bottled. Anyway, I use black tea and regular sugar, but sometimes add dried orange peel and ginger to it, or we water it down with fruit juice when we serve it. I like it best that way.
I've made a few batches so far, and since I'm the only one that drinks it, it goes a long way. I think the alcohol, if any, is negligible, and nothing to be concerned about. I drink about 12-16 per day, and even drinking it in the evening doesn't seem to bother me. I was concerned because of the caffeine in the black tea, but so far I haven't noticed it affecting me. For my 2nd ferment, in the bottles, I add 2-3 pieces of ginger. Leave it on the counter for a couple of days, then refrigerate. Lately I have been adding some concentrated cherry juice to my glass for a fruity change. LOVE the ginger tho, and won't make it without it.
Kombucha Mimosa = kombucha and fresh squeezed OJ. So good!
Cyn,
Raw ginger or crystallized?
Raw ginger. I take a chunk, peel it, slice it in matchstick size, and put about 3 pieces per 16 oz bottle.
Such good ideas! I can't wait to spice up my kombucha routine :)
I drink it when I can afford it. Last time I tried it I think I forgot & left it on top of the fridge too long! Must try it again beacuse we all love it and I know it's easy to make. My farmer friend is always adding things to make different flavors – leftover apple cidar w/mulling spices was my fave! My friends think the 'mushroom' is gross though – lol!
Do you think it's ok for pregnancy – we are just expecting again but I'm used to drinking it so I assume the detox affect wouldn't be high?
Thx!
Personally I'd stop for the first trimester, but I'd be fine with 4 ounces or so the rest of pregnancy :) I think everyone's different with what they're comfortable with- I drink raw milk during any part of pregnancy, but avoid herbs and alcohol (even the little bit in this) and caffeine for the first 12 weeks or so.
Andrea,
I kept drinking my regular 12oz a day during mt recent pregnancy & now have a happy, healthy & very alert 15 lb 2 mo old baby boy!
Mm. I haven't had kombucha tea for years. My roommate and her partner used to forage for it and make it for us. It was amazing. I wish she had taken me along on those adventures. This would be a great addition to my Vegetarian Foodie Fridays linky if you are so inclined to link up.
http://www.breastfeedingmomsunite.com
I love it too! I've tried grean tea, ginger tea, and black tea. I prefer black tea. I've added fruit juice at the end which is good. But I prefer it straight – fresh and fizzy.
Our family of six has five gallons of Kombucha "brewing" right now on top of the fridge and a gallon and half in our fridge ready to drink. It is our morning breakfast drink. Ours sits for two weeks. We like fizzy with a slight bit to it. It is better then pop anyday!
LOVE IT!
Oh, I never drink alcohol beverages. If I do, then I get "loopy" quickly. I have never experienced this with Kombucha. But then we only drink a glass every morning!
Hey Cara, Great article! As a long time Kombucha maker and teacher I can appreciate your endeavor! I gave you some link love on my Thoughts on friday here: http://amoderatelife.com/2010/06/friday-thoughts-from-the-middle-of-the-road/ If you need anymore information about Kombucha, let me know!!!
I haven't had kombucha in months! Thanks for reminding me – think I'll get some on hand for next week's gluten purge :)
Glad to have found you! I love your site and great advice. Raising a healthy family is such a wonderful passion to share.
Kathy
http://www.wellnessroadtrip.com
I've made kombucha in the past, and have started again lately. I did recently google for some more info on it, and ran across a site with a lot of information that didn't seem the usual claims. I forget where/who it was, but some guy had (apparently) tested several strains of kombucha for a bunch of stuff.. Stuff related to many of the health claims. B vitamins, for instance, and the "glucaronic" acid that is oft-hailed. His results were less than stellar, I do remember. Have you run across anything like this, or have any thoughts on it? It kinda took the wind out of my sails a bit (I don't remember what else it said, if there was anything outright negative/risky), and had me re-thinking taking it much, or serving it to the kids…
I recently saw that too, but decided to ignore it as a one-off. I've read so much that's positive that I'm reluctant to give one person's results too much weight.
Fun to find your posting on Kombucha. I am just getting ready to bottle my latest culturing and to make the next batch.
In regards to liver – we personally have not found it to have much effect. My husband has a rare liver disease. What we have found it beneficial for is for his other digestive issues. He has U.C. and with the addition of ginger to it – it’s one of the best digestive aides for him.
It’s also one of the best electrolyte balancers for hot weather we have found.
I have multiple postings on kombucha at my blog if you or anyone else is interested in reading. Just type kombucha into the search button.
Hi Pamela,
I just read your post about Kombuca. I am writing because my son has ulcerative colitis and you mentioned that kombuca helps your husband. I have been trying to get more probiotic foods into him but he cannot tolerate dairy. I just tried coconut milk kefir but i think that was too strong for him. He does OK with coconut yogurt (all homemade). I was wondering if we should try kombuca as he does like peppermint and green tea. How much can your husband tolerate? And soes he drink it with food? And, are there other things you do for him that help the UC? Thank you so much for your response! Judy
I have now a cmv infection. Somebody can help me telling me if taking the combucha can affect me anyway.
I thank you
and God bless you
Israel Netanel Worcman
Just wanted to say that I have made it with a variety of herbal teas, it doesn’t get fizzy but I love the taste and I do feel heathier when I have some every day. The instructions I used said you should use black tea once every 3 or 4 batches, I use decaf. There is something in tea that really upsets my kidneys other than the caffiene, which is why I use herbal, although I love the taste and fizz of it made with black tea, I always give that batch away now.
Hey! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I could locate a captcha plugin for mmy comment
form? I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having trouble findjng one?
Thanks a lot!
Can you drink kombucha on a Keto diet?