Did you know that kombucha has many benefits for your gut health?
Your gut health is connected to many other aspects of your health, so it’s important to make sure it’s in tip-top shape! Kombucha is a great way to do that.
If you love drinking kombucha, you’ll love making your own! This guide will teach you everything you need to make a kombucha SCOBY like a pro. Making your own kombucha is fun, easy, and economical.
You can customize the flavor to your liking and know exactly what’s in it. So let’s get started!
What Is a Kombucha SCOBY?
A SCOBY is short for a symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast. In kombucha brewing, the SCOBY is often referred to as a “mother” because it is used to culture the kombucha tea.
The SCOBY is a living, growing organism that feeds on the sugar in the tea, and in turn, produces the beneficial acids (including gluconic acid) that give kombucha its characteristic tart taste and health benefits.
The SCOBY is also responsible for the formation of the characteristic “kombucha mushroom” that forms on the surface of the brew during fermentation. While the SCOBY may look strange, it is completely safe to handle and consume and is an essential component of kombucha brewing.
Benefits of Drinking Kombucha
Kombucha is a fermented tea that has been enjoyed for centuries. Though its exact origins are unclear, kombucha is thought to have originated in China. Today, kombucha is becoming increasingly popular in the West as an alternative to sugary drinks.
Kombucha contains live probiotic bacteria, which can promote gut health. Additionally, kombucha is rich in vitamins and minerals, including B vitamins and vitamin C.
It also contains enzymes that can help with digestion. Because of its many health benefits, kombucha is sometimes referred to as a “super drink.” If you’re looking for a healthy alternative to soda or juice, kombucha is a great choice.
Can You Eat SCOBY?
SCOBYs are actually pretty versatile – you can use them to make all sorts of different snacks and even some main dishes.
SCOBY jerky is a popular choice, and it’s easy to make at home. Just slice up a SCOBY thinly and marinate it in your favorite sauce overnight. Then, just dehydrate it until it’s nice and chewy. SCOBY smoothies are another great way to use these strange creatures.
Just throw a SCOBY into your blender with some fruit and juice, and you’ve got a nutrient-packed drink. You can also use SCOBYs to make fruit leather, energy balls, and even candy.
How to Make a Kombucha SCOBY
Making a kombucha SCOBY is simple, and all you need is sugar, tea, and vinegar.
First, boil a pot of water (about 1/2 gallon) and add 1 cup of sugar, stirring until dissolved. Then, add eight green or black bags of tea.
Once the mixture has cooled to room temperature, pour it into a gallon jar.
Finally, add one tablespoon of naturally brewed vinegar such as apple cider vinegar or distilled white vinegar. That’s it! In just a few short days, you’ll have a healthy kombucha SCOBY that’s ready to start fermenting your favorite beverage.
How to Make Kombucha
Now that you have your kombucha SCOBY, it’s time to make some delicious kombucha! The basic recipe is simple: sweetened tea + kombucha SCOBY = kombucha.
But of course, there are many variations on this theme. For example, you can add fruit juice or herbs for flavor, or experiment with different types of tea. The sky’s the limit!
To make kombucha, start by boiling 1 gallon of water and adding 2 cups of sugar, stirring until dissolved. Then, add eight tea bags of green or black tea. Once the mixture has cooled to room temperature, pour it into a 1-gallon jar. Next, add your kombucha SCOBY and 1 cup of kombucha tea (from a previous batch or store-bought).
Cover the jar with a cloth and rubber band and allow it to ferment at room temperature for 7-10 days. The longer it ferments, the more tart it will taste.
After fermentation is complete, remove the SCOBY and set it aside in a bowl (Never touch it with metal, only use plastic, glass, or wood). Then, add 1 cup of sugar and stir until dissolved.
Pour the kombucha into bottles or jars and screw on tight lids. Allow the kombucha to carbonate at room temperature for 2-3 days, then store it in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Make sure you “burp” your kombucha during the second stage of fermentation. This means letting out some of the gas that builds up in the bottles. You can do this by opening the bottles every day to release the pressure, or you can use a kombucha brewing kit that includes a “burp tube.”
That’s it! Now you know how to make a kombucha SCOBY and brew your own kombucha tea.
Kombucha Recipe: Our Best Flavors
To make your kombucha even more delicious, try adding fruit juice, herbs, or other flavorings. Here are some of our favorite kombucha recipes:
- Raspberry kombucha
- Add 1 cup of raspberries (fresh or frozen)
- Lemon ginger kombucha
- Add 1/2 a lemon and a 1-inch piece of ginger
- Earl grey kombucha
- Use earl grey tea instead of black or green tea
- Blackberry thyme mint
- Add 1 cup of blackberries, 1 sprig of thyme, and 2-3 leaves of mint
- Peach kombucha
- Add 1 cup of peaches (fresh or frozen)
- Blueberry lavender kombucha
- Add 1 cup of blueberries and 1/4 teaspoon of dried lavender
Storing SCOBY and Kombucha
Once you’ve made your kombucha SCOBY and brewed a batch of kombucha, you’ll need to store them properly to keep them alive and healthy. The best way to store a SCOBY is in a glass jar filled with kombucha tea. Make sure the jar is covered with a cloth or coffee filter and secured with a rubber band. The SCOBY will last indefinitely in this storage solution.
As for kombucha, it can be stored in bottles or jars with tight-fitting lids. Be sure to “burp” the kombucha during storage (see above) to release the pressure that builds up inside the containers. Kombucha will keep for 2-3 weeks in the fridge.
Start Loving Your Gut Today
If you’re looking for a way to improve gut health, consider making SCOBY or consuming probiotics. SCOBY is rich in beneficial bacteria that can help improve digestion and overall gut health.
Consuming probiotics have also been shown to be effective in improving gut health.
If you’re interested in trying SCOBY or probiotics, we offer a free sample of our product which is a fast and easy solution to making your own probiotic drink.
We believe that everyone deserves quick and easy access to gut health solutions.
Do you have a kombucha receipe that you enjoy? Please share your kombucha receipe in the comments section below.
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