Kraut, Kimchi ..Kombucha!
Kombucha is a fermented drink like beer and wine. Very low alcohol (under 10%). Kombucha is called a tea, made from (1) Yeast, (2) Sugar, and (3) Black tea. Renew your interest in this fermented tea to improve your health. Make a difference in your life. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Start now. [ Note: The sugar is fermented out via scoby / yeast culture. ]
Recipe
Ginger Kombucha
First STEP: Grow kombucha scoby ⬅️ link
Kambucha Recipe
INGREDIENTS
1 Scoby purchased or grow komucha scoby from a bottle
1 Cup sugar (sugar needed to feed the fermentation)
5 Organic black tea bags (or 1 tablespoon loose tea)(can use green tea, but not the first batch)
1 Gallon Jar to store kombucha
2 Fresh Ginger (3-inch pieces) Vary to taste.
Glass bottles for storage
2 Cups brewed Kombucha
DIRECTIONS how to make kombucha recipe 1 gallon
1. Everything must be sanitized. I cannot stress this enough. When dealing with fermenting anything it is crucial every piece is clean and sanitized. Wash your hands and all equipment used before you begin. I like to run everything through my dishwasher before I make and bottle. My husband and I brew our own beer and make our own wine. So we are very familiar with making sure everything is super clean and sanitized.
2. Measure out 3.5 quarts of water and place in a pot on the stove. Heat the water until boiling. Some people insist on using distilled water. Boiling filtered water from our fridge has worked perfect for me, and I have been making this for nearly a year.
3. Turn off the heat and add 1 cup of sugar. Stir the sugar until it is completely dissolved. Then add 5 organic black tea bags. This is the brand I use and for the first fermentation from your homemade scoby you should use black tea for a strong brew. Cover the pot so not much water escapes. After you have brewed the kombucha you can then use a combination of black and green tea. But you should have at least a 3 black tea and 2 green for later brews
4. Wait for the tea to cool. It must cool to room temperature before adding the scoby. If not you risk damaging your precious scoby you grew from scratch. Once it is completely cooled, pour the tea into the clean 1 gallon jar and add 2 cups of your previous brew. Then add the homemade scoby to the top.
5. Store in the 1 gallon glass jar with a cloth (cheese cloth-doubled) covered lid with a rubber band. This allows the kombucha to breathe without getting any additional bacteria or fruit flies in your brew. Store in a dark closet that remains cool through out the day and someplace no one will touch it. It needs to remain still to grow the scoby and create the bubbles.
6. Allow to brew for at least 7 days. It may take 10-12 days, depending on the temperature in your home. During the winter months, I allow a little longer brew. Right now 8 days is the perfect time for the flavor and creating the carbonation.
IMPORTANT: The bacteria in kombucha is considered a probiotic. But, if not prepared properly harmful bacteria or mold grows on your scoby Green or gray spots is a sign of mold. Another sign of mold when your scoby is dull and fuzzy looking. NOT glossy. Discard the scoby and start over. TIP: Use cane sugar or white, not honey, stevia, raw or coconut sugar. When shopping for kombucha, it may be best to choose brands that contain under 4 grams (1 teaspoon) of added sugar per serving. TREND: Add turmeric & black pepper Ratio: 100/1. How much? 1 tsp. of turmeric per gal. + a pinch of black pepper. You should not be able to taste the turmeric.
Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast (SCOBY) is a culinary symbiotic fermentation culture (starter) consisting of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), acetic acid bacteria (AAB), and yeast. .. provided by Wikipedia.com.
Put a jug in your fridge: Gallon dispensers (5.5 cups) with a spout. (as seen in IKEA.com, Canada)
It Tastes Like Vinegar!
Not true ~ Kombucha is delightfully tart and fizzy. Ginger adds a warm and spicy punch!
Kombucha can be made into vinegar – fermentation period –>6-10 weeks. Use in salad dressings! Other uses: mayonnaise (add 2 tbsp to your mayo recipe). Hair Tonic, Facial Toner, House Cleaner and Healthy Gummies <–recipe.
Criminal Minds At Work!
Mandy Patinkin (actor – Criminal Minds +plus) is a proud advocate of kombucha [kämˈbo͞ochə]!…or Kambuka?
Anyway you say it ~ it ‘s all good!
Kvass – Similar to Kombucha
Kvass
When life gives you stale rye bread, it’s time to make bread kvass!
Kvass is an ancient fermented cereal-based, low alcoholic drink. Kvass is known to reduce the risk of cancer. When it comes to taste, kvass is similar to kombucha. Kvass is a rich source of manganese, vitamin B12, selenium, niacin, iron, copper, and magnesium.
Making Kombucha. This is my favorite video.
He said it best!
Simply Splendid Food 
I know how good is bread kvass, but not your concoction, and I will try to make it.
Happy New Year and blessings for 2023!
Joanna
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Hi Joanna! Not many people know about Kvass. My dad made it. I drank it as a child..one half glass only. It was a very pleasant and interesting taste. Nice to hear from you and wishes for a Happy and Healthy ..NEW YEAR!
P.S. My New Year’s resolution went for the traditional weight loss. However, first, I’m going for good health. The weight will take care of itself! Cheers! 🙂 Eva
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Hi Eva,
I know Bread Kvass well because I came from Poland, and there it is used to make
a wonderful soup – white borsh.
You are absolutely right, healthy eating and being active such as walking will take care of your weight.
All the best for 2023!
Joanna
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I will have to try the white borsh! 🙂 Thx Joanna!
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You are welcome!
Joanna
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I only started drinking this recently and I love it
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So good to hear it! 🙂 It is going to be part of my New Year’s Resolution –>to drink kombucha every day. 🙂 Making some more today with added mango juice. Yum 🙂 FYI – Drink water with minerals, not purified water that has been stripped of all nutrients. e.g. water without magnesium sucks magnesium out of your body and it is eliminated. It is a doctors conclusion, not from random articles. Something to think about.
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We are toasting in the new year with kombucha flutes of fizzy goodness. It is a symbolic way to promote a healthy 2023. Blessings to all of you wonderful readers! 🧧 🤎 ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🖤
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Such a super recipe. Start the new year off on the right foot! Thanks Eva!
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Very Impressive. This has to be a new ‘habit for me! WOWZA! (ᴖ3ᴖ)💗(ᴖ◡ᴖ) See my blog about Good Habits for 2023. Enjoy the New Year!
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What a healthy share. I am still in research about the health claims. Thanks for sharing your insight. 🤔
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The health claims are real. We toasted the new year with frosted flutes and “mint, rosemary, sage and green tea” kombucha by The Brew Dr. It was called Clear Mind. Kombucha and Kvass has been around a long time. It has infiltrated our North American society in a big way for only a short time. : ❤️🧡💛
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Thanks for posting this recipe!
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My pleasure! 🙂
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