Kombucha Kombucha Kombucha Kombucha

Kombucha Kombucha Kombucha Kombucha! Say that four times quickly and I promise you will have a smile on your face!
Have you tried kombucha before? Do you know what it is? Kombucha is an effervescent fermented tea beverage that contains a wonderful and varied quantity of probiotics and bacteria which, when drunk, helps bring our guts back to a healthy balance. The tea is made when you add a SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast), otherwise known as a kombucha mother, to sweetened tea. The mother uses the sugar to ferment the tea and also makes a baby, another SCOBY. Sounds yummy, right?
Several years ago when kombucha was first introduced to me via my little sister, who decided she wanted to make her own, I was skeptical. And a little disturbed. But as I learned about the health benefits, I became more willing to try it. And now I'm hooked. And my husband is hooked. And the kids in his youth group are hooked. And his parents. And my parents.
Kombucha is not new to the health stage. In fact, it has been used for over 2,000 years for its health benefits. Russian and German scientists first studied these benefits during the first half of the 20th century when it was discovered that, in certain regions of Russia, whole populations were "immune" to cancer. What they discovered is that certain nutrients found in the kombucha were vital to improving whole body health.
So what does it do? The first and most noticeable, at least for me, attribute of kombucha is its ability to improve gut health and aid in digestion. Because of the probiotics found in this beverage, it has the ability to fight dangerous yeast (Candida) overgrowth and add beneficial bacteria to our guts - bacteria which help break down food so that we can properly use the vitamins and nutrients. According to foodrenegade.com, improved gut health contributes to better mental clarity and mood stability, as well as to reduce symptoms of fibromyalgia, depression and anxiety. This alone makes partaking in kombucha well worth it. But this is not all. The acids in kombucha are found to aid in protection of cartilage structure, many of the enzymes and acids aid in liver detoxification, and the anti-oxidants boost the immune system.
What we have found is that with regular consumption (approximately 8 oz per day), we can really appreciate all the benefits kombucha has to offer. You can find kombucha at many grocery and health food stores, but at over $3 a bottle, the cost adds up quickly. So we have begun brewing our own. Here's how!

What you'll need.
Large pot
1 Gallon of Water
6 organic tea bags (black, green, or herbal)
1 cup of organic sugar
1 SCOBY or Kombucha Mother
Wooden spoon or plastic spatula (do not use metal as it denatures the kombucha)
Gallon Glass Jar
Cheese Cloth or Kitchen Towel
Glass jars or bottles to store kombucha

Bring water to boil. Add tea bags and let steep for 10 minutes. Remove tea bags and stir in sugar until it dissolves. Let tea cool to room temperature. Pour tea into gallon jar. Wash hands thoroughly before handling the SCOBY. Gently place the SCOBY in the jar. Remember to remove any rings are metal from your hands/wrists before touching the mother. Place cheese cloth or kitchen towel over the mouth of the jar. Use a string or rubber band to secure it. Place the tea in a dark, warm place. Kombucha usually takes at least a week to ferment. We like to taste test throughout the process so we know when to harvest. However, if you would prefer not to taste, this is what it should look like when it's finished brewing.

You will notice that your kombucha mother will have added another layer. This is the baby. When you are ready to harvest your kombucha, gently life the mother and baby from the tea. If necessary, use your fingers to gently separate the mother and baby. Place them in a gallon zip lock bag or glass jar and pour a little of the kombucha over the scobies. Store them in your fridge to use again and again. You will notice that there are strands of culture floating throughout your kombucha. These are good for you! And it is best to drink them along with the rest of the tea. Pour kombucha into glass jars or bottles and store in the fridge. Enjoy!

And just for fun, here is a link to a video of a toddler enjoying kombucha! We have enjoyed watching this many times. No one was injured in the making of this video!