In the far East, Kombucha was known for centuries as ‘Immortality Tea’. It was used for its various health benefits and to support strength.
In some countries, it was even customary for kombucha ingredients to be passed down from mother to daughter as a wedding gift. With the family recipe and the accompanying ingredients, she could then make this special drink for her family for the rest of her life.
What is Kombucha?
Kombucha is a fermented drink made from black or green tea and is easy to make in your own kitchen.
After adding sugar to the tea along with specific bacteria and yeast, the drink begins to ferment. This means that the sugars are absorbed by the bacteria. The drink develops a little carbonation, its taste changes, and new bacteria, vitamins, and minerals form.
During the fermentation process, which takes about a week, a mushroom-like film forms on top of the drink. This is called a SCOBY, an abbreviation for ‘Symbiotic Culture Of Bacteria and Yeast’.
When the kombucha is ready, you can use the SCOBY to ferment new kombucha.