What is homemade Kombucha?
Homemade kombucha is a sweetened fermented tea drink. It is also known in Chinese medicine as the ‘Immortal Health Elixir.’
How does homemade kombucha work?
A Scoby which is a “symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast” (Google) is used to make Kombucha. It works by using yeast and bacteria to eat the sugar and change it into ethanol and acetic acid. This is what gives Kombucha its sour taste.
What are the health benefits?
The health claims and benefits of Kombucha are wide. For a more comprehensive and professional read, please see this informative article https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition/potential-benefits-kombucha/
The main health benefits are:
- Detoxification
- Helps maintain joint care
- High in probiotics which aids digestion and gut health.
Whats the difference between homemade and store-bought kombucha?
There are significant differences between homemade and store-bought kombucha. Homemade kombucha has less sugar, is unpasteurised, and contains more probiotics and less acid.
Anything bought for shelf life requires limiting the amount of yeast to halt the fermentation process so it doesn’t explode. Yes, the only downside of homemade kombucha is the potentiality of explosion. Consequently, stopping fermentation for shop-bought bottle consumption means less healthful bacteria are processed because fermentation time is stopped. Shop-bought kombucha can be marketed as kombucha, but it has very little kombucha in it.
Is there caffeine in homemade Kombucha?
There is caffeine in Kombucha. Due to the homemade style, its not clear as to how much is in each bottle.
What types of homemade kombucha do I make?
I make three different tea homemade Kombucha.
I also make a decaf Kombucha which is available upon request.
Green Tea, Assam Tea and a Taylor of Harrogate Black Tea, these are the selection of plain kombucha.
I also make flavoured Kombucha.
The flavours are
- Lemon and Hibiscus
- Just Lemon
- Lemon and Ginger
- Lemon and Juniper Berries
- Ginger and Hibiscus
- Ginger and Blackberries
- Ginger and Turmeric
Kombucha takes two weeks to make.
Your personalised flavour requests are welcome.
Want to buy homemade kombucha?
How much Kombucha should I drink?
This is a widely varied question. I’ve included this informative article for this very question. Check it out here https://www.youbrewkombucha.com/how-much-kombucha-drink
If you are new to Kombucha, it is highly advised to start small, at 120 ml per day. This is to allow your body, to adapt to the new culture.
See how your body feels with it.
Do you feel better for it?
We are all so wonderfully different.
How to store kombucha
Kombucha can be stored at room temperature which will increase the fermentation process and heighten the vinegary taste.
It can also be stored in the fridge which will stop the fermentation and keep the Kombucha fresher and tastier.
Has Kombucha got a sell by date?
There isn’t a sell by date as such for kombucha, because remember, its fermenting.
The very purpose of fermentation is preservation. It will last a long time.
The variable that will definitely change over time, is the taste. The longer left, the more acid is available leaving a vinegary taste to it.
Keeping Kombucha in the fridge, keeps it fresher and tastier for longer.
⚠️ Do not drink Kombucha
Having so many health benefits as Kombucha does. There are also some health risks to consider below, for not consuming if you are a:
- Pregnant woman as it contains a small amount of caffeine and alcohol
- Breastfeeding woman as it contains a small amount of caffeine and alcohol
⚠️ Safety and hazards of Kombucha
Main safety hazard of homemade kombucha that I would like to point out and highlight is its explosion ? capability.
If leaving Kombucha at room temperature, make sure you air the bottle every two days. Otherwise the bottle can explode. I have learned this from messy experience.
Keep the bottle in a high cupboard, away from children.
Preferably keep Kombucha in the fridge, to eradicate this hazard completely.
