Thursday, December 13, 2012

Sparkling, Fruity Kombucha


Kombucha is a fermented drink, full of healthy probiotics, and great for your digestive system.  Cassi, my daughter, and I made it for several years awhile ago and just started making it again. It is VERY easy! My sister taught me a new twist that makes it bubbly and fruity.

Simply clean a large pan very well and rinse it with plain white vinegar. Pour in 12 cups of water and bring to a boil. Turn off the stove and add five bags of organic black or green tea. Then add 3/4 cup organic sugar, stir until the sugar dissolves, and let it cool to room temperature.  Pour it into a large, clean glass container that has been rinsed with vinegar to prevent mold.

Put the scoby in with a cup of the juice that the scoby was in. You can order them on Amazon or Ebay. Cover with a towel. Put a rubber band on to hold the towel in place and set in a dark place for ten days. After ten days, take out the scoby and put it into a glass jar with a lid.  Pour one cup of vinegar into the jar with the scoby and put it in the refrigerator for your next batch.

Pour the komucha into several glass jars that have been rinsed with vinegar and put in several raspberries, a small piece of ginger, several blueberries, a small piece of banana, or whatever you prefer.

Cover those jars with a lid and leave on the counter for one to three days, depending how you like the taste. Burp them every day. {Take the lid off and let some air in.}  I let mine sit for one day because I like it sweeter. Cassi lets hers sit for three days because she likes it not so sweet. When you like the taste of it, pour it through a strainer.  hen store it in the refrigerator and drink up! You can add a little lemon juice and stevia to it if you want it a bit more sweet with some ice and a straw and you have a healthy alternative to soda.

For with you is the fountain of life; 
in your light do we see light.
Psalm 36:9