Kombucha

Kombucha, a fermented tea that is sour and tangy in taste, is made up of a hero ingredient called SCOBY. Are you confused, what we are talking about? Then, read the blog to know more about kombucha and SCOBY. 

Kombucha is a fermented tea made from black or green tea, which has now gained momentum in preference as a beverage. Kombucha starts off being a sugary tea, which is then fermented with SCOBY. SCOBY, usually called “tea fungus” or “mushroom,” is an acronym for “Symbiotic Culture Of Bacteria and Yeast.”

SCOBY looks like a beige colored pancake whose texture feels like rubber. It’s a storehouse of all the yeast and beneficial bacteria needed to ferment the sweet tea into kombucha. 

Kombucha is said to have originated from Manchuria or in Russia and parts of Eastern Europe.  

The tea gets transformed into a refreshingly fizzy, slightly sour fermented beverage with almost no alcohol content, which is low in calories and sugar.

Kombucha can be enjoyed straight, but also it is a good idea to add flavours to this beverage. Fruit juices like blackberry, mango, grape, cranberry, and pomegranate can be added to Kombucha.

Whole fruits like strawberry, plum can be added to Kombucha.

Adding herbs and spices like ginger, basil, cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves add subtle yet rejuvenating flavors to Kombucha. 

Chia seeds, coconut water, and everything in between that you think will make your Kombucha tasty and will make it personalized according to your taste; then, you can surely add those ingredients to make it according to your preference.

There are no cent percent health benefits of Kombucha, but it is said to be good for gut health because Kombucha is a fermented tea, and it makes for a good source of probiotics. Probiotics provide bacteria that can improve digestion, aid in weight loss, and inflammation.

Many Kombucha drinkers drink this tea as purported health benefits curing arthritis, heartburn, and depression. 

How can you prepare your next batch of Kombucha?

Scoby, which is the key ingredient for preparing Kombucha, will last for an immensely long period. With the new batch, a new layer of SCOBY will grow, and you can peel off the new layer and make use of it to prepare the next batch of Kombucha or even give it to your neighbor or friend.

When your first batch has been finished fermenting, you can add the SCOBY in sweet tea and let it ferment for weeks or even months. 

When you spot your SCOBY having brown spots or brown threads hanging from SCOBY, it is a healthy SCOBY sign.

But if you see any molds on your SCOBY, then it is probably the time to say bye to your SCOBY.

Does Kombucha contain alcohol?

Kombucha produces alcohol as a by-product of the fermentation process. It contains not more than 1% alcohol. However, teetotallers should be aware that Kombucha does have trace amounts of alcohol due to fermentation and should abstain from it. 

Kombucha is available commercially, but also home chefs are inclined to brewing this beverage at home.