Kombucha is a ‘health’ drink that has become the rage worldwide! Its origins go back to Ancient China (over 2,000 years ago) (1), wherein healers of inflammatory diseases referred to it as the ‘Tea of Immortality.’ Later, in 415 A.D., when Korean physician Kombu/Kambu cured Japanese emperor Inyko of his illness via this drink, it acquired a new name. The name stands until date – Kombu (physician’s name) and cha (tea in Japanese).
Preparing Kombucha Tea
It is pretty easy to prepare this special tea right at home! You require the correct ingredients and equipment. (2)
- Eight cups of filtered/distilled water
- Avoid tap water as much as possible, as you do not want contamination entering your beverage.
- A large metal/glass jar/bowl/drinking glass with a wide mouth
- Avoid plastic since its chemicals may leach/permeate your preparation.
- A thin dishtowel or large piece of thin cotton cloth and a rubber band
- Avoid cheesecloth, for it permits particles to go through it.
- Half a cup of raw honey or organic cane sugar
- You need not worry about over-consumption of sugar since the yeast absorbs it during fermentation. As a result, just a minimal amount stays behind in the final product.)
- Four tea bags (organic)
- You are welcome to go for black or green tea, according to your preference.
- A SCOBY (symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeasts) disk
- A cursory look at the kombucha culture will make you think of white/beige, rubbery pancakes!
- A cup of kombucha (pre-made)
- Purchase unpasteurized and organic kombucha. Alternatively, if your friend has some homemade kombucha at home, obtain it.
How will you prepare the tea?
- Pour the filtered/distilled water into a large pot and heat it.
- As soon as it boils, remove the pot from the stove.
- Add sugar and teabags.
- Keep stirring until the sugar dissolves completely.
- Remove and throw away the tea bags after the tea has steeped for 15 minutes.
- Within an hour, the mixture should come down to room temperature.
- Pour the cooled solution into the jar/bowl/glass.
- Add a cup of pre-made kombucha and the SCOBY disk.
- Cover the mouth of the jar/bowl/glass with the dishtowel or cotton cloth. Secure it with the aid of the rubber band.
Place this airtight container in a safe place. Leave it alone for seven to ten days. You might taste it after every two days to check if the flavor is right. Fermentation is quicker in a warm home. Transfer the beverage to small glass bottles when you find the taste. They must go into the refrigerator for 24 hours at least. The idea is to allow them to cool and complete the carbonation process.
Miscellaneous Facts
As the mixture ferments, you will be surprised to see a new SCOBY disk sprouting from the old one! The former is the baby, while the latter is the mother. Let the baby find residence in a glass jar containing some prepared kombucha. Do not worry about its health; it will remain energetic for a few weeks if you take the precaution of storing it inside a pantry or on the kitchen countertop at room temperature. You may even store the old SCOBY disk for at least a month, observing whether it produces a few more babies. It would be best not to fear contamination if the storage is appropriate.
- Always store your homemade/purchased kombucha in a transparent, airtight glass jar/bottle.
- Never use metal or plastic, for they invite contamination.
- Ensure that you leave an inch or so of space at the top. This space should suffice for carbonation.
- Do not ever shake the bottle, for the container may explode.
- Instead, even while opening it, place your hand over the entire lid and turn it.
- Refrigeration extends the prepared kombucha’s life span, especially if you have added flavors to it.
You may add flavors a few days before the drink becomes entirely edible. You may also add them when the kombucha is ready to drink. The flavors include freshly extracted juices of orange, cranberry, lemon/lime, pomegranate, ginger root (ginger plus water), and blended berries. Even natural flavorings containing low sugar and devoid of artificial sweeteners are permissible.
Also Read – How To Use Tea Tree Oil For Keeping Acne At Bay?
Side effects
You may witness side effects if you have not taken precautions to keep the atmosphere or equipment sterile. Your ingredients should be of high quality and free of contamination.
These side effects include allergic reactions, bloating, infections, or nausea. Suppose you suffer from digestive issues (heartburn, ulcers, etc.); the high acidity of the drink may lead to problems with your metabolism. The good thing is that these issues occur only with a small percentage of the populace addicted to kombucha!
Now, the acidic drink may affect the enamel of your teeth. Therefore, consume the glass of kombucha in one go, and then cleanse your mouth through oral swishing.
Uses and Benefits of Kombucha
1. Enhances Energy
Those who feel listless and tired often will be glad to hear that a glass or two of kombucha can enhance their energy levels no end! This is because the drink has minimal caffeine and high amounts of iron and vitamin B. If your hemoglobin is low, expect the iron to return to an average count by improving the oxygen flow in the bloodstream.
This is a boon for athletes who exercise regularly. Not only does kombucha help them work out vigorously, but it also helps them ‘recover their breath and energy’ after exercising. Joint pains disappear as if by magic! Sometimes, they go up to a quart of the drink daily to prevent the accumulation of soreness-causing lactic acid in the muscles. Above all, they gain improved immunization.
2. Helps in Losing Weight
Do not forget that kombucha has probiotics (has a symbiotic colony of helpful bacteria within it), which have antioxidant properties. It also possesses several natural acids. Therefore, whenever the healthy microbes in your body reduce in quantity, you are at risk for obesity or even diabetes. This drink, the outcome of black/green tea, is an apt substitute for increasing metabolism.
As the good bacteria enter your system and the harmful bacteria disappear, you will be surprised to witness your blood pressure and blood sugar levels returning to normal. You will lose bad/LDL cholesterol, so you prefer to replace it with good/HDL cholesterol. Thus, excess fat is lost from various parts of your body.
3. Improves Mood
Now, if your Weight and Energy are at the desired levels, you are bound to remain in a good mood all the time! Even otherwise, if you find yourself sinking into depression or encouraging the entry of anxieties, consume some kombucha! The vitamin C in the drink will not permit the adrenal glands to release the stress hormone Cortisol. Additionally, vitamins B1, B6, and B12 rush to improve concentration and stabilize mood swings.
This health elixir is safe for pregnant women, too, despite possessing traces of alcohol in it. Regardless, it would still be worth checking with your gynecologist or physician first.
4. Performs Detoxification
Your stomach will love to befriend the enzymes, organic acids, and probiotics entering your alimentary canal! After all, they give it relief from constipation, diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, etc. How do they do it? Well, they replace the reduced quantity of gut bacteria (the average amount is between three and five pounds) in the tummy.
The stomach is not the only area to receive a good cleansing. Even other body parts, including the liver, receive the same favors. Gluconic and glucaric acids play heavy roles in Detoxification, binding to toxins and throwing them out of the body.
5. Improves Health Condition
When your gut remains healthy, your other bodily systems remain healthy, too! In turn, your immune system receives a solid boost. Kombucha can ward off tumors, inflammatory ailments, cell damage, etc, thanks to its ability to destroy free radicals circulating in the body. The drink can also tackle all kinds of arthritis since it contains glucosamine. This compound encourages the production of hyaluronic acid, which protects cartilaginous tissues.
Also Read – Why Drinking Green Tea Is A Sure Bet For Weight Loss And Obesity Control?
Summary
Kombucha, a health elixir with origins tracing over 2,000 years, boasts numerous benefits. This fermented tea, rich in probiotics and antioxidants, enhances energy levels, aids in weight loss by boosting metabolism, stabilizes Mood, supports detoxification processes, and contributes to overall health improvement. Regular consumption may improve immune function and protect against inflammatory ailments.
References
(1) Watawana et al. (2015). Health, Wellness, and Safety Aspects of the Consumption of Kombucha. Journal of Chemistry, Vol. (2015). Pp 1-11.
(2) Rasu Jayabalan (2014) A Review on Kombucha Tea
