Hooked from the first encounter…
Chances are you have heard of Kombucha by now, and its likely that you have even tried some. Whether your first sip was from a commercially brought healthy alternative drink or a brief encounter at a friend’s house drinking what looks like a science experiment gone wrong. Kombucha fever is spreading like wild fire in Perth’s hills on a hot summers day. But Kombucha fever is spreading health, happiness and vitality and a sense of well needed community spirit.
Spreading like a virus… of health and vitality.
Let’s do the math, the average person will share and show the Kombucha method and share a starter kit with approx. 5 other people, who will then show 5 more people…. and the popularity spreads and grows. Don’t you love living in a small country town called Perth, Chances are someone you already know if doing the Kombucha Brew, if not you are only 1 degree of separation away from someone brewing and sipping the immortality elixir you don’t have to travel up distant mountains to reach.
Kombucha fever is coming your way, it hasn’t already!
Where did it come from and why is it so damn good? Kombucha originated thousands of years ago in both China and Russia. The mind boggles as I try and imagine the specific circumstance in which it was discovered, Ancient Chinese man walks peacefully through the moonlight forest, trips and spills his tea into a puddle of clear water, then weeks later discovers somehow it has been transformed into a delicious fizzy drink. Consider this hypothetical scenario as you sit and sip your first homemade brew. Please let know your scenario, I would love to hear from you!
Considering brewing your own?
Well apart from being bloody delicious, this versatile drink is incredibly good for gut health and for adding extra nutrients to your diet. It boasts-
- Vitamins B, C
- Antioxidants
- Enzyme Rich
- Lactic Acid
- Pro-Biotics
What health issues can it possibly fix?
Kombucha has been reported to fix a plethora of ailments within the body in many reported cases. One of my own clients reported to me a hip pain which she has been suffering from for years was gone after only a few weeks on Kombucha. By adding Kombucha to your diet you may discover the following health benefits.
- Immune Boosting
- Energy & Vitality Giving
- Clearer Hair, Skin and Eyes
- Reductions in inflammation and joint pain
- Reductions or elimination of skin issues such as eczema
- Respiratory Issues Decrease
- Better Sleep
- Reductions in various ailments associated to gut health
- Cleaner digestive functions
- Weight Management
How to Make Kombucha Tea
To make 5 litres of Kombucha you need. (multiply the recipe accordingly for larger jars)
- 8 tea bags (black, oolong or green. I use green tea for the additional antioxidant benefits)
- 2 cups of sugar
- 1-2 cups of starter or brewed kombucha from your last batch
Boil the water. Add the tea and sugar, and leave it to sit until it is completely cool. When your tea is at room temperature, you can pour it into your brewing jar and add the mushroom and the starter. It is important that it room temperature or you can kill the starter.
Cover it with a clean fine cloth that lets it breathe. Put it in a quiet place out of direct sunlight, in a well ventilated area, & where it will remain at a stable temperature between 23C and 30C.
The starter scoby/mushroom sometimes sinks or sits sideways. Within a few days, a clear or translucent thin skin will start to form on the top of the tea, and it will start to smell fermented. The brewing time depends on the temperature, environment, and your taste requirements. After 6-12 days, the new mushroom culture will be a centimetre or so thick, and grey, cream or peach-coloured. Note winter to summer in Perth will take into consideration the brewing time. Brews will take at least twice the time mid-winter.
Use a Jar made from glass, china, enamel or glazed terracotta. Metal, lead crystal and cheap plastic are unacceptable. Kombucha reacts strongly with any metal, and can take up toxins from some plastics. The bowl should have a wide top for good breathing. I use a juice jar with a tap at the bottom for easy refill.
Before you bottle your brew, remove the mushroom culture that has formed on the top, and keep around a 1cm section for your next brew. Also keep around 1-2 cups of the Kombucha Tea for the next brew. Stir up the sediment that has formed in the bottom of the bowl, and then bottle it in glass bottles, tightly capped. The sediment contains yeasts that make it fizzy. This is when the fun begins with your flavoured infusions.
You are only limited by your imagination with the possibilities for your kombucha infusions. The longer it is left, the vinegarier and stronger in probiotics the tea will become.
Where can I get a Scoby from?
If by a slim chance of fate, you do not know any one brewing Kombucha already then please get in touch with us today to see how we can help you get brewing. Or perhaps you have already begun our brews and are looking for some inspiration? Carla Weir from Gaias Organic Gardens runs a popular Fermenting and Cooking with your garden Produce workshop where you can learn the ancient art of Kombucha brewing as well as Fermenting Sauerkraut, Kefir Milk and Coconut Yogurts and Cheeses and then best of all recipes for turning your probiotic rich foods into nutritionally dense delicious dishes. The day is full of delicious tasters and you take home goodies and a work book. This popular sell out event has limited seats so be quick in securing your spot. Click on the link for dates and details. https://www.gaiasorganicgardens.com.au/fermenting-and-cooking-workshop/
Need some inspiration for your second infusions?
For instructions and ideas on how to create beautiful diverse flavours in your second ferment please read my blog 50 of the best Kombucha Infusions Ever at https://www.gaiasorganicgardens.com.au/50-of-the-best-kombucha-infusions-ever/
We would love to hear from you!
Please contact us with your wonderful and wacky Kombucha stories. I’m sure there are some hilarious and inspirational stories out there somewhere, Or if you have any questions about Kombucha, we would like to hear from you- Contact our team today at carla@gaiasorganicgardens.com.au
