KOMBUCHA and its health benefits

WHAT IS KOMBUCHA?

Per Wikipedia, Kombucha (also tea mushroom, Manchurian mushroom, formal name: Medusomyces gisevii^[1]) is a variety of fermented, lightly effervescent sweetened black or green tea drinks that are commonly intended as functional beverages for their supposed health benefits. Kombucha is produced by fermenting tea using a "symbiotic 'colony' of bacteria and yeast" (SCOBY). Actual contributing microbial populations in SCOBY cultures vary, but the yeast component generally includes Saccharomycesand other species, and the bacterial component almost always includes Gluconacetobacter xylinus to oxidize yeast-produced alcohols to acetic and other acids.^[2]

SCOBY, the mother mushroom, refers to Symbiotic Culture Of Bacteria and Yeast, which contains colonies of live bacteria and yeast. 

Related post: How to make SCOBY from scratch at home 

HOMEMADE KOMBUCHA BENEFITS:

• PROMOTE HEALTHY GUT: It is hugely important that we balance the bio environment in our body. Kombucha contains a great number of probiotics due to its natural fermentation process. Per Dr. Leo Galland's book "Power Healing: Use the new integrated medicine to cure yourself:

Health results from stable coexistence, a condition called Symbiosis, not from a germ free environment. Infectious disease is the failure of symbiosis. The symptoms and the pathology that accompany infection are not produced by the microbe itself. They are the products of our own immune responses, as we attempt to reestablish the symbiosis that has been disrupted. 

• COMPLETELY VEGAN! 

Very simple ingredients: tea, water, sugar and starter tea from previous batch!! 

• GREAT ALTERNATIVE PROBIOTIC SOLUTION  FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE ALLERGIC TO DAIRY

I'm allergic to all dairy products, so I can't eat anything that contains milk, including cheese and Yogurt. Kombucha then becomes a better choice for me to stay healthy! Like Cheese and Yogurt, Kombucha is the fermented tea in liquid form which is rich in probiotic. 

• CREATE YOUR OWN FLAVORS

You will find there are only few options when purchasing Kombucha at local grocery stores. But if you make it at home, the flavoring options are endless. We tested a few, Ginger Jasmine, Caramel Black tea, Rose, Oolong, etc. Then we add some fruits to make them even more flavorful. It's lot of fun!!

• SAVE MONEY: Organic Kombucha costs about $4/16 oz. It's easier to drink 2-3 bottles a day. That's $ 8-12/day. Homemade Kombucha costs less than a dollar per 16 oz. Staying healthy should save money, not cost money;) Economically it makes great sense to make it at home. The more you make, the more you save by staying healthy!
• HELP WEIGHT MANAGEMENT: Probiotics in Kombucha accelerate our gut system digesting, which helps weight loss. 
• STRENGTHEN IMMUNE SYSTEM Made from tea directly, Kombucha is rich in varieties of antioxidants which help our immune system fight for diseases and boosts energies. Its anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties prevent us from getting bacterial infections. 
• IMPROVE DIGESTION Live colony of bacteria and yeast help accelerate digestion process. Enzymes and acids presented in Kombucha help break down proteins and fats which makes digesting foods faster. 
• A GREAT ALTERNATIVE FOR SODA The fermentation process generates carbons which makes Kombucha taste like soda. You can also use Kombucha to make your fav drinks by simply replacing Soda. 

MYSTERIES OF KOMBUCHA

• Why is most of Kombucha made from Black tea instead of Green tea?

Green tea, by definition, refers to tea that is not fermented. Fermentation process destroys active antioxidants in Green tea, such as EGCG, EGC, etc thus change Green tea properties. If we want to get the most health benefits of green tea, it's better we steep green tea like we normally do. 

But of course you can use green tea to make Kombucha. Just remember Kombucha made from green tea loses many health benefits of green tea due to its fermentation process. It still has health benefits tho. 

• Can I use flavored Kombucha as a starter to make Kombucha at home? 

The direct answer is yes. We did actually test it. Most of blogs you found online say flavored Kombucha can't be used as a starter. We did the test-used Gingerale Kombucha to make SCOBY and it worked. For more details, please read our previous blog How to make SCOBY from scratch. 

•  How much should I drink Kombucha? 

Personally, I think it's a good idea to drink 16 oz per day max 32 oz Kombucha per day. Remember Kombucha is not just tea. It's made from tea and it contains probiotics. If we have too much Kombucha, it could harm your gut system. Even though Kombucha is not probiotics suppliment, still it's always a good idea to take things in moderation. Here's a glance of side effects of taking too much probiotics (click here) 

  

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