About the Recipe
If you're looking to boost your gut health with a refreshing and probiotic-rich drink, homemade kombucha might just be the thing for you. I've personally found it to be not only a delicious beverage but also a great way to support my digestive system. Let me guide you through the process of making your own kombucha at homeāit's easier than you might think!
Ingredients
1 gallon filtered water
8 bags black or green tea (regular, not flavored)
1 cup granulated sugar
1 SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture Of Bacteria and Yeast)
1-2 cups starter liquid (previously brewed kombucha)
Preparation
Boil Water and Steep Tea:Ā Boil 4 cups of water. Remove from heat and add tea bags. Steep for 10-15 minutes. Discard tea bags.
Dissolve Sugar:Ā Add sugar to the hot tea and stir until completely dissolved.
Cool the Tea:Ā Pour the sweet tea into a clean, large glass jar or brewing vessel. Add the remaining 12 cups of filtered water. Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature (70-80Ā°F).
Add SCOBY and Starter Liquid:Ā Carefully slide the SCOBY into the cooled tea mixture with the starter liquid. Cover the jar with a clean cloth or paper towel and secure with a rubber band.
Ferment:Ā Place the jar in a warm, dark place (away from direct sunlight) and allow it to ferment for 7-14 days. Taste regularly after 7 days until it reaches your desired level of tartness.
Bottle:Ā Once fermented, carefully remove the SCOBY and 1-2 cups of the kombucha for the next batch. You can now bottle the remaining kombucha. Leave it for the second fermentation. Allow it to carbonate for 1-3 days at room temperature.
Enjoy:Ā Refrigerate the bottles to stop fermentation. Enjoy your homemade kombucha chilled!
Kombucha Nutrition Facts (per 8 oz serving):
Calories: 30
Total Carbohydrates: 8g
Sugars: 8g
Health Benefits of Kombucha
Kombucha is a fermented tea that has been enjoyed for centuries, particularly for its potential health benefits. Here are a few reasons why you might want to incorporate kombucha into your routine:
Probiotics:Ā Kombucha is rich in probiotics, which are good bacteria that support a healthy gut. These probiotics may help improve digestion and overall gut health.
Antioxidants:Ā They contain antioxidants that help to fight harmful free radicals in the body. Therefore, reducing oxidative stress and inflammation.
Vitamins and Enzymes:Ā Kombucha also provides vitamins B and C. It has various enzymes that could help with nutrient absorption.
FAQs on Making Kombucha at Home
1. Is it safe to make kombucha at home? Absolutely! Making kombucha at home is safe. Make sure you follow good hygiene and follow the recipe.
2. What ingredients do I need? Please check our ingredient list.
3. Why is my kombucha not carbonated? Issues like this can happen if there is any temperature change. Or if you don't leave enough time for the second fermentation. The environment should be stable and warm.
4. SCOBY looks weird. Is it okay? SCOBYs can look differentāthey might be lumpy, stringy, or have brown spots. As long as there's no fuzzy mold, your SCOBY is healthy.
5. How can I flavour my kombucha? You can flavour your kombucha during the second fermentation. Get creative and try different flavours like fruits, herbs, or spices.
