Kombucha
Hey BestNic,
Do you know how crucial it is to take care of our gut? Our intestines play a vital role in absorbing nutrients from the food and drinks we consume. Imagine having nutritious food, but if your gut isn't healthy, those nutrients won't be absorbed properly. 😔
But, taking care of your gut doesn't have to be complicated. The real hassle is loving someone who doesn't love you back... Oh dear. 🥲
And you don't need to splurge on buying fermented drinks every day, even two bottles at times! 😆 Just drink this homemade tea that I'm about to share, and you can reap amazing benefits for your gut health!
Yup, today I want to introduce you to my favorite trendy drink packed with benefits.
What is Kombucha?
Kombucha is a tea drink fermented with the help of SCOBY, or Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast. This unique combination transforms tea and sugar into probiotics and antioxidants that are great for our bodies.
And did you know, to make Kombucha, you only need three simple ingredients! Each ingredient naturally brings its own benefits that make me love it even more.
1. Tea Powder
- Antioxidant Source: Who would've thought tea can reduce inflammation in the body due to its polyphenol content, a type of antioxidant that helps fight free radicals.
- Boosts Energy: Feeling sleepy? Just have some tea! Tea also contains natural caffeine that provides an energy boost without causing the jitters often associated with coffee. But hey, I'm not stopping you from having coffee too, okay? 😋
2. Cassava Sugar
- Low Glycemic Index: Cassava sugar has a lower glycemic index compared to regular white sugar, making it better for controlling blood sugar levels.
- Stable Energy Source: Because it's digested more slowly, cassava sugar provides longer-lasting energy and prevents blood sugar spikes.
- Digestion-Friendly: Cassava sugar is easier for the body to digest, making it a good choice for those with digestive issues. Relatable? Maybe it's time to switch from your usual sugar. 😙
3. SCOBY
- Natural Probiotics: SCOBY contains various beneficial bacteria that help improve gut health and digestion.
- Boosts Immunity: The combination of bacteria and yeast in SCOBY can boost the immune system by strengthening the gut microbiome. This is what makes me really love SCOBY. 🥰
- Digestive Enzymes: The fermentation process carried out by SCOBY produces digestive enzymes that help the body digest food more efficiently.
Benefits of Kombucha for Health
Kombucha isn't just an ordinary drink. Several studies have shown that Kombucha has many health benefits, including:
1. Boosts Immunity:
As mentioned above, Kombucha is rich in probiotics that can help boost our immune system. By regularly consuming Kombucha, we can become more resilient to various diseases, BestNic!
2. Controls Blood Sugar Levels:
Besides boosting immunity, Kombucha can also help control our blood sugar levels. Especially this recipe I'm sharing, made with cassava sugar known for its low glycemic index, it's great for maintaining stable blood sugar levels.
3. Improves Gut Health:
Because it's made from SCOBY, Kombucha naturally contains probiotics that can help improve our gut health. These probiotics help maintain a balance of good bacteria in the intestines, which is crucial for healthy digestion.
4. Reduces Risk of Heart Disease:
Kombucha contains antioxidants that can help reduce the risk of heart disease. These antioxidants protect the body's cells from oxidative damage, which is a major cause of heart disease.
5. Increases Energy:
Since it contains tea, Kombucha has a bit of caffeine and vitamin B that can help boost energy. This drink is perfect for starting your day off with a bang! 🤩
After making Kombucha several times, I've found a few key things to ensure it turns out tasty, delicious, and maximally beneficial. And of course, I'm sharing them with you here. Thank me later!
- Taste and Aroma:
Well-fermented Kombucha has a refreshing sour taste with a hint of fruity aroma. You can adjust the fermentation time to achieve your desired taste.
- Flavor Variations
You can add various natural ingredients like fruits, ginger, or spices to create different flavors in Kombucha.
- Storage:
Store Kombucha in the fridge to stop the fermentation process and maintain its freshness. Properly stored Kombucha can last for several weeks.
Kombucha and Gluten-Free Baking
Besides the benefits mentioned above, Kombucha pairs perfectly with your favorite gluten-free snacks. My favorite is definitely gluten-free donuts. This combination isn't just delicious but also healthy, BestNic!
Let's make this holiday season special with tasty and healthy homemade Kombucha. Happy creating, and see you with more exciting recipes!
💚🌿🍪 #HealthyLifestyle #Kombucha #Probiotics #Nonanic #BakingWithCynthia #HomemadeGoodness #GlutenFreeLife
Course Drinks
Cuisine Asian
Keyword Kombucha, Fermented, Drink, Homemade
Prep 5 minutes
Cook 10 minutes
Ferment 1-2 weeks
Servings 12 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pc of 5 lt jar
- 2 pcs of Kombucha starter / Scoby with a diameter of 10 cm
- 3 lt of water
- 45 g black / green tea powder
- 550 ml cassava syrup
- Strainer
- Cloth & string to cover the jar
- 2 pcs of 1.5 lt bottles
Instructions
1. Sterilize the 5L jar using a sterilizer or boil for 5 minutes in hot water until submerged.
2. Boil water until it reaches a boiling point.
3. Add tea powder and cassava sugar, let it cool to room temperature.
4. Place the Kombucha starter / scoby into the sterilized jar.
5. Strain the sweet tea into the jar.
6. Cover the jar with cloth and string.
7. Store at room temperature for 1-2 weeks, away from sunlight.
8. Kombucha is ready to be harvested.
9. Prepare sterilized 1.5L bottles, transfer Kombucha into the bottles.
10. Leave 250ml of Kombucha with the scoby, cover again with cloth and string.
11. Store the harvested Kombucha in the refrigerator. Enjoy best when it’s chilled!
Tips
- Scoby can be stored at room temperature for up to 1 month if you want to ferment again.
- Harvested Kombucha is best consumed within 2 months.
- If you want to add flavor, you can mix fruits ( like strawberries and lemons) , lemongrass, mint leaves, or natural flavors according to your taste into the Kombucha bottles during harvesting.
- Let it sit for another 2-3 days before enjoying the infused Kombucha.
- You can also mix Kombucha directly with natural fruit juices such as lemon juice, cranberry juice, ginger juice, about 1-2 tablespoons per glass of Kombucha, just before serving.
