Make your own Kombucha.
What is it?
Kombucha (kom-BOO-cha) is a tart-tasting fizzy beverage made by fermentation. Its sweet, tangy flavour and low sugar content have made it a popular alternative to sugar-laden soft drinks.
Kombucha is made by adding a scoby (symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast) to a solution of sugar and tea. During the fermentation, the bacteria and yeast on the scoby ferment the tea and sugar to make a sour-tasting tonic. As the scoby grows, it can be broken off into sections to start a new batch. Due to its gelatinous, blob-like appearance, the scoby is also referred to as a mother culture.
Nutrition snapshot
When the scoby ferments the sweet tea solution to make kombucha, it produces several useful compounds.These include beneficial acids such as acetic acid, commonly found in vinegar, which can help control "bad" micro-organisms within the gut.
Kombucha also contains B vitamins, folic acid, tea polyphenols and antioxidants.
It is often referred to as a source of probiotics, but the amount of probiotic bacteria within kombucha brews can vary. It contains several components (acids, enzymes, bacteria and yeast) that can influence the health and balance of gut microflora.
How to make kombucha
It can easily be made at home with a starter culture (scoby), tea and sugar.
Recipe
4 litres boiled water (filtered if possible)
8 black or green tea bags or the equivalent in loose-leaf tea
1 cup white or raw sugar
1 kombucha scoby (see below)
1 cup kombucha liquid from a previous batch
1. Add 1 lt boiling water to a separate container and then sugar stir until the sugar is dissolved. Then add the tea and allow it to rest for 30-60 minutes.
2. Remove the tea bags, and allow the solution to cool to room temperature. Pour into a large, sterilised glass vessel and add the scoby and kombucha liquid. Then add remaining 3lts of cold water. Cover with a tea towel and secure with string or a rubber band.
3. Keep in a warm, dry place (the preferred temperature for kombucha brewing is 24C-32C) away from direct sunlight. Leave undisturbed for a minimum seven to 10 days.
4. During this time, it will grow a baby scoby on the top of the liquid. It will also develop a sour, tart flavour as the scoby consumes the sugar.
5. When the sour flavour is well developed, strain the kombucha liquid from the scoby using a coffee filter or plastic sieve (do not use metal). Keep the scoby, along with one cup of the liquid for a subsequent batch, and either drink the remaining liquid or ferment into a "flavoured booch".
A perfectly health new baby scoby growing on top of Kombucha liquid.
Second Fermentation
This process is for when you wish to add flavours to your kombucha. Get clean steralized 1lt bottles preferably with a vaccum seal lid and no metal. Kombucha doesn’t like metal. Fill with a small amount of fruit of your choice, then top with Kombucha, seal and put on the side for 3 days for the flavour to enhance. During this time gas will build in the kombucha so remember to open the lid on the 2 day to release some gas. On day 3 place in the fridge, chill before drinking.
It’s as simple as that!
Only a small amount of fruit is needed, don’t be afraid to experiment with flavours and there are plenty of recipes on the internet.
Gingerade kombucha
1 litre kombucha liquid
½ cup fresh pineapple juice, or 1 cup finely chopped pineapple
1 tbsp finely grated fresh ginger
¼ cup mint leaves
1. Combine the kombucha liquid with the pineapple and ginger and stir well. Place in glass bottles and refrigerate overnight.
2. Serve with ice and fresh mint leaves.
How to source a kombucha scoby
Many online organic and retail outlets, sell kombucha scobys. You can also ask a friend who regularly brews their own kombucha if you can have a portion of their scoby once it has doubled in size.
Troubleshooting
The scoby will develop a shiny, gelatinous texture as it grows. Be sure to discard any batch that develops mould. This is usually the Aspergillus species and can be harmful.
