In recent years, kombucha tea has become a popular beverage, captivating health enthusiasts and curious taste buds alike.
Originating from ancient China, this fermented tea has transcended cultures and found its way into modern wellness routines.
But what exactly is kombucha, and what are its purported benefits?
Let’s delve into the world of kombucha tea to uncover its secrets and explore its potential health advantages.
Understanding Kombucha
Kombucha is a tangy, effervescent drink made by fermenting sweetened tea with a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY).
During the fermentation process, the SCOBY consumes the sugars in the tea, producing various acids, enzymes, and probiotics.
The result is a lightly carbonated beverage with a unique flavor profile ranging from slightly sweet to pleasantly tart.
Health Benefits of Kombucha
- Probiotic Powerhouse: One of the most touted benefits is its probiotic content. Probiotics are live microorganisms that confer health benefits when consumed in adequate amounts. Kombucha’s fermentation process introduces beneficial bacteria into the gut, potentially promoting digestive health and bolstering the immune system.
- Antioxidant Richness: It contains various antioxidants, including polyphenols and vitamins, which help combat oxidative stress and reduce inflammation. These antioxidants may contribute to overall well-being and play a role in disease prevention.
- Detoxification Support: Some proponents suggest that it can aid in detoxification thanks to its purported ability to support liver function. While more research is needed in this area, anecdotal evidence suggests that regular consumption may promote detoxification pathways in the body.
- Improved Gut Health: The probiotics may contribute to a healthy balance of gut bacteria, essential for proper digestion and nutrient absorption. Kombucha may alleviate digestive issues such as bloating, gas, and constipation by supporting gut health.
- Potential Disease Prevention: Although scientific evidence is still emerging, preliminary studies suggest that the bioactive compounds may offer protective effects against certain chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. However, more research is needed to understand the extent of these benefits fully.
Many grocery stores now carry a variety of commercially produced brands in a range of flavors. Alternatively, you can experiment with brewing your own at home, allowing you to customize the flavor and strength to suit your preferences.
Kevita Kombucha Tea
There were so many brands and flavors to choose from. I bought the first bottle from a manufacturer named Kevita, and I opted for their Master Brew Ginger flavor. After I purchased it at the check-out counter, I had to take a sip.
Kevita’s had a strong vinegar taste, which I didn’t mind since I occasionally drink raw apple cider vinegar diluted in water. I might add that I felt drowsy the first night of drinking it, and I slept well that night.
Kevita was so good that I returned to Safeway and bought three more bottles at $3.50 apiece. I know it’s a bit pricey, but I don’t believe in cutting corners regarding my well-being.
I discovered that after drinking, my cravings were reduced. I didn’t want as much coffee, sweets, or other foods as usual. And like I said, I slept very well afterward, and my stomach distress decreased considerably.
It could also be the “Placebo” effect.
I felt ecstatic to have found something healthy that would reduce my cravings and stomach distress. That was until I went to Safeway, where they were all out of Ginger flavor. They had other flavors, but I wasn’t looking for taste; I was looking for results.
G.T.’s Kombucha
And since ginger positively affected my stomach, I had no other options. After scanning the shelf for other choices, I stumbled upon another brand: G.T.’s Organic Raw Kombucha Gingerade, also at $3.50.
“Yes,” I thought to myself. So I bought a bottle of G.T.’s Gingerade, paid for it, and left Safeway to try it out. I opened it up and took a sip, and it tasted somewhat similar to a very light wine cooler but not nearly as strong or bitter.
I haven’t drunk alcohol since 2005, and I was surprised by the taste since Kevita’s brand tasted more like vinegar than a wine cooler. But, I was desperate; I tell you, frantic.
I checked the label and found that G.T.’s and all, for that matter, contain trace amounts of alcohol (less than 0.5%) but not enough to be considered an alcoholic drink. One thing I prefer about G.T.’s over Kevita is that it has less sugar per serving.
G.T.’s has 2 grams of sugar per serving or 4 grams per 16oz bottle, whereas Kevita has 8 grams per serving or 16 grams per bottle. Kevita offers a sparkling probiotic drink with only one gram of sugar.
It is recommended that you only drink 4 to 8 ounces in the beginning until your body assimilates to it, even though G.T.’s founder Dave says he drinks about a gallon and a half a day because he samples each batch. I am still a fan of both brands and buy both when available.
However, other fans of Ginger seem to be at Safeway because they run out of stock rather quickly when I go there. Kevita contains Vitamin C and Folic Acid, while G.T.’s contains Folate. Both brands contain multiple B Vitamins and probiotic cultures.
Kombucha is a drink you sip, not chug, and it usually takes me several hours to finish a bottle.
Note: Kombucha Tea is not a cure for disease; when taken in moderation, it’s more of a healthy maintenance tool for the body. It is a healthier alternative to soda or other highly sweetened beverages.
If you have liver issues, be careful if you brew your own because of the alcohol produced in the fermentation process.
⇒Related Article: The Immunity Blueprint By Eric Edmeades & Mindvalley
How to Make Your Kombucha
Before you brew your own, please research as much as possible online about safety precautions when making from scratch. Kombucha Kamp is a great website that familiarizes you with the art of Kombucha making.
Homebrewed Kombucha can be dangerous, causing allergic reactions and contamination. It is crucial to sterilize all your brewing equipment before making it.
Many health food stores offer classes on fermenting foods and drinks properly. I recommend trying one first before making any on your own.
What you’ll need:
- 1 Cup Organic Sugar
- One gallon (16 cups) of fluoridated and unchlorinated water
- 8-10 Teabags of Black Tea. Some websites suggest using White and Green Tea as alternatives.
- Kombucha Starter Culture – SCOBY = Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast The SCOBY, bacteria, and yeast eat most of the Tea’s sugar, transforming the Tea into a fizzy, slightly sour fermented drink.
- 2 cups of starter liquid from another Kombucha tea. You can buy plain Kombucha Tea from the store and use it, or you can borrow some from a friend.
- A brewing glass jar
- Cloth cover or coffee filter
- Rubber band
How to Make Kombucha:
- Bring one gallon (16 cups) of unchlorinated and unfluoridated water to a boil.
- Turn off the water, add tea bags, and let steep for about 15 minutes.
- Stir in 1 Cup of organic sugar and stir until dissolved. (One cup of sugar per gallon is suggested).
- Let the tea cool completely.
- After the tea cools, pour it into a sterile one-gallon brewing jar.
- Pour in the starter liquid and SCOBY.
- Cover it with a cloth or coffee filter and secure it with a rubber band.
- Set it in a dark place (your countertop will do), out of direct sunlight, away from plants and your trashcan. It needs some airflow, so don’t place it in your cabinet. The optimum room temperature is about 72F – 85F.
- Keep untouched for 7 to 10 days.
- After 7 days, try a sample of your Kombucha. If it’s too bitter, then it’s been fermenting too long. If it’s super sweet, then it hasn’t fermented long enough.
- Save the Scoby and enough liquid from the bottom of the jar for your next Kombucha batch.
You can add different flavors, such as fresh ginger or fruit like apples or grapes. After adding flavoring ingredients, you must do a second fermentation, which takes about two or three days.
Kombucha does contain a little bit of alcohol as a by-product of the fermentation process. It is usually no more than 1%.
Unless you drink a lot of glasses in one sitting you won’t feel the effects. People with alcohol sensitivities or who avoid alcohol should be aware of its existence.
If You’re Not Ready to Make Kombucha, then Try This Instead:
Heat up (don’t boil) some warm water on the stove. Next, add a tablespoon of grated ginger. If grated ginger is too strong for you, then slice it instead. Add your ginger to the water on the stove. Next, squeeze some lemon and lime into the water and let simmer for a few minutes.
Pour the mixture into your favorite hot drinking vessel. Add some carbonated water and a small amount of raw sugar, stevia, or raw honey. Stir and enjoy it.
Related: Why Moderation of Sugar is Crucial
Probiotics & Stomach Health
I’ve been taking probiotics for over a year now. I take capsules and also eat and drink them.
I also enjoy probiotic foods like plain Kefir milk and raw, unpasteurized, fermented foods like Kimchi, sauerkraut, apple cider vinegar, and pickles. Probiotics are a simple way to restore friendly bacteria’s balance in the gut and the intestines.
I also take Mastic Gum in capsule form. The bark of the mastic tree, Pistacia lentiscus, exudes mastic gum, which grows primarily on the Greek island of Chios in the Aegean Sea. Mastic has been used for gastrointestinal ailments for several thousand years.
Another stomach/digestive health hack I use is taking several spoonfuls of raw organic coconut oil and a shot or two of unrefined olive oil daily, along with raw aloe juice, Slippery Elm, and Turmeric Powder.
A War is Going On In Your Stomach
The stomach is known as the second brain, and this is where we get the term “gut feeling” from. A healthy stomach is teeming with beneficial microorganisms –healthy gut flora, while an unhealthy stomach is teeming with yeast and candida overgrowth – a type of fungus.
An overgrowth of yeast and candida can cause fatigue, mood swings and other disorders, acne, inflammation, joint disorders, bloating, and dozens of physical and psychological ailments.
Point blank: yeast and candida feed off of sugar, so it is vital to eliminate or at least reduce sugar and processed foods from your diet to the best of your ability. Yeast and candida feed off of you; they are parasites.
Not only are they parasites, but they also eliminate their waste products inside your body. The only way to reduce yeast and candida is to eat whole, healthy foods and supplement with probiotic-rich foods and drinks.
Most junk food cravings are caused by yeast and candida overgrowth. They need their feeding frenzy, and you are the source. Since they are inside your body, they can hack into you, making you crave foods bad for your body but good for yeast and candida.
This is why keeping your gut balanced and healthy for optimal wellness is vital.
Stress
Stress causes more health issues than anything else.
Some of the top stressors are:
- Too many obligations and responsibilities
- Saying yes to things you’d rather say no to
- Rushing against time
- Unresolved issues
- Not enough quiet time for rest and rejuvenation
- Poor food and drink habits
- Financial debts/money issues
- Excessive sugar consumption
When stressed, we often rely on comfort foods to temporarily make us feel better, even though these comfort foods will cause us to feel worse later on. We tend to tense up when stressed, which slows our digestive processes.
So, I encourage you to take care of yourself this year by making healthier and more vibrant lifestyle choices.
P.S. I am sipping on a Kevita Master Brew Ginger bottle right now. Safeway had a sale today on this brand – 2 for $5.00. 🙂
I repurchased the Ginger flavored. This brand tasted way different than G.T.’s and Kevita, and it tasted more like Tea than the other two and less vinegary. I’ve been drinking store-bought Kombucha since 2016 without any adverse side effects.
How about you? Would you buy store-bought Kombucha, or would you instead make your own?
Final Thoughts
While kombucha tea offers various potential health benefits, it’s essential to consume it in moderation and be mindful of any adverse reactions.
Individuals with compromised immune systems or certain medical conditions should consult a healthcare professional before adding kombucha to their diet.
Ultimately, incorporating kombucha tea into a balanced lifestyle may offer a refreshing way to support overall health and well-being.
The centuries-old tradition of kombucha tea continues to captivate modern audiences with its intriguing flavor and potential health perks.
Whether you’re sipping it for its probiotic punch or simply enjoying its unique taste, kombucha remains a fascinating beverage that has stood the test of time. Cheers to the ancient elixir that continues to ferment its way into our hearts and cups.