Kombucha, the fermented health tonic, resurfacing in recent years
So far, 2018 has seen some interesting beverage trends. From matcha lattes to mushroom coffee, individuals have been pretty open to trying new things. But what about live bacteria? Cue kombucha. Many people are already aware of this popular fermented tea drink, but may not be aware of the countless benefits that come with this ancient health tonic.Kombucha has been filling the shelves of many health food stores and has been acquired by many health brands, including Synergy, Kevita, and Tonica. Often thought of as the “fountain of youth drink,” kombucha provides the body with numerous health benefits, such as:
- Lowering cholesterol
- Improving digestion
- Providing support for the liver
- Lowering blood pressure
- It has even been thought to eliminate wrinkles
Dating back almost 2,000 years, kombucha originated in China where it was thought to ward off ailments such as cancer and help protect the immune system. Individuals who are new to kombucha may be deterred by the sour, almost stale, smell of the drink.
Although this is a characteristic of the beverage, most brands that sell kombucha have attempted to improve the taste of the drink by adding flavours and sweeteners. As the drink is already made by fermenting black tea and sugar, adding excess sugar to the beverage can decrease the health benefits and cause more harm than good. As well, the price of premade kombucha is not always cheap, with prices ranging from $4 to over $10 a bottle.
An easy way to work around these issues is to simply make your own! From experience, not only is it much cheaper but is also super simple.
- Purchase a SCOBY disk (Symbiotic Culture Of Bacteria and Yeast). This will allow the bacteria in your kombucha to grow and thrive.
- Introduce the SCOBY disk to a mixture of boiled sugar and tea.
- Wait about two weeks for your kombucha to ferment.
- Enjoy!
If you are interested in making your own kombucha, you can often find starter kits in health food stores, such as Whole Foods, or you can order kits online. If buying kombucha, the biggest thing to remember is to not be drawn in by the fancy brands and flavours. When made properly, and created without the addition of massive amounts of sugar, kombucha can be a great alternative to higher-calorie, carbonated beverages, and can help improve overall digestion. If you’ve never tried kombucha, and want to try it, I urge you to push past the initial sour taste and be open to consuming this natural energy booster. Who knows, you may really enjoy it!