Health benefits of kombucha

kombucha – Thrive Magazine

One of kombucha’s greatest health benefits is its ability to detox the body. This powerful probiotic drink can be brewed at home and is an amazing source of culture based probiotics.

What is kombucha?
If you’ve not heard about kombucha yet, then you’re in for a treat. Kombucha is a living health drink made by fermenting tea and sugar with the kombucha culture – a scoby! It is thought to have originated in the Far East, probably China, and has been consumed for at least two thousand years.

The health benefits
This powerful probiotic drink can be brewed at home and is an amazing source of culture based probiotics. It’s packed with loads of vitamins, and has detoxification properties to cleanse the body and support a healthy immune system.

One of kombucha’s greatest health benefits is its ability to detox the body. It is rich in many of the enzymes and bacterial acids your body produces and/or uses to detox your system, thus reducing your pancreatic load and easing the burden on your liver.

Let’s talk about that scoby!
The kombucha culture is often called a ‘scoby’ which stands for ‘symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeasts’.

The culture (scoby) is steeped in tea and turns a bowl full of sweet tea into the bowl full of vitamins, minerals, enzymes and beneficial organic acids. You can order a scoby online, make sure it’s from a reputable source.

Is kombucha alcoholic?
It’s important to remember that, while kombucha probably won’t get you drunk, it does have a little bit of naturally-occuring alcohol that develops during the fermentation process.

How to prepare kombucha
The basics
• 1 kombucha culture (or scoby)
• 2 litres of filtered water
• 3 or 4 tea bags (green, white, or black tea)
• 160 grams of white sugar
• 200 ml of kombucha from a previous
batch as a starter or 2 tablespoons
of cider vinegar.

The equipment
• A 3 litre glass bowl.
• A tea towel for covering the bowl.
• Rubber band or piece of elastic to
secure the tea towel.
• A teapot or saucepan to make the tea
in measuring jug.
• A strainer.
• Some bottles for storing the finished
drink

Important note:
Make sure everything is very clean when handling kombucha. It’s a living culture, a complex system of bacteria and yeasts and you don’t want risk contaminating it. Use freshly cleaned hands, clean jars and clean non metallic implements.

FERMENTATION
scientifically means “the anaerobic conversion of sugar to carbon dioxide and alcohol by yeast.” To make it simple, the tea sits on the counter, grows healthy bacteria by feeding off of sugar, and develops a sour, bubbly taste.

EFFERVESCENCE
means to emit small bubbles of gas. To make it simple, the fermentation process creates gas that feels similar to carbonated soda.

PROBIOTICS
are live and “good for you” bacteria that help create a healthy balance of organisms in your intestines.

ANTIOXIDANTS
an organic substance that helps to counteract with damaging effects and free radicals.