Do you Kombucha?

[KFhunter]

I've heard about it for years, sounds like something yoga girls and hippies would drink.

Today I had some for the first time ever, taste wise meh..but it soothed my digestion, I didn't feel hungry for a long time and I just felt good after drinking it.  Now I want some more.
The nearest store is 1hr drive away, so I'm thinking about making some of my own.  Can I buy a bottle and dump it into some tea with sugar?  What's this SCOBY stuff?


do you make your own?  share

[constructeur]

I drink my fair share of Kombutcha. It's so easy to find on the West side, I've never bothered with making it.

This outfit has a DIY kit and lots of intel for you: http://goldfinchkombucha.com/

[Sitka_Blacktail]

My wife used to make it.

[kellama2001]

I've drank it for years, it has many many health benefits. Homemade tastes better and is more affordable than store bought. My aunt and cousin both make it, so I get mine from them. They say it's fairly easy to do, but you need the "mother" to start your own. Kind of like needing starter for sourdough. Lots of info online

[vandeman17]

I personally think it is overrated. If you enjoy the taste then by all means have at it but I would never drink it just for the health purposes. A well balanced diet and physical activity is the key to overall health. 

[Southpole]

I personally think it is overrated. If you enjoy the taste then by all means have at it but I would never drink it just for the health purposes. A well balanced diet and physical activity is the key to overall health. 

Well that's no fun 

[vandeman17]

I personally think it is overrated. If you enjoy the taste then by all means have at it but I would never drink it just for the health purposes. A well balanced diet and physical activity is the key to overall health. 

Well that's no fun 

If only sitting on the couch with a cold beer and pizza was the key to eternal life 

[jamesfromseattle]

Super easy to make your own and the cost is essentially trivial.  Once you have a SCOBY and a batch started, you pretty much just put a cup of the existing batch and the SCOBY into a big glass container and fill it with iced tea.  Put towel over the top with a rubber band and leave it for a week or two.  Either pour it right out of the container onto ice or put it in a mason jar and refrigerate.

I use about 2/3 of a cup of sugar per gallon of tea, but you can vary that depending on your preference.

I'm under no illusions about it being a cure for cancer or something like that, but it definitely helps with a stomach ache...or in my younger years a hangover.

The SCOBYs multiply with every batch, so everyone who makes it has leftover SCOBYs that they are throwing away regularly.  If you're in Seattle, you're welcome to grab one from me.  Or if you know anyone else that makes it, they will have extras too.

My guess is that you could even start a batch with some store bought Kombucha and it would form its own SCOBY.  I think the yeast/fungus stuff is suspended in the liquid, so a SCOBY will naturally materialize on top even you don't start with one.  It will just take a few extra days.

[runamuk]

Yup, and eat ginger, and all the hippy dippy things except smoke weed.  It has trace amounts of alcohol so if you are a non drinker it might not be the beverage of choice. 

Kimchi is another fermented food that provides similar bacteria enzymes etc. 

Kimchi doesn't contain yeast so if a person has yeast issues it's a better choice.

[jackelope]

My wife drinks it regularly for the digestive benefit.  She eats well and works out regularly, only eats pizza once in a while and never while drinking beer on the couch. Is there a probiotic benefit to it? She swears it helps her.

[runamuk]

My wife drinks it regularly for the digestive benefit.  She eats well and works out regularly, only eats pizza once in a while and never while drinking beer on the couch. Is there a probiotic benefit to it? She swears it helps her.

Yes it's fermented so it has lactic acid and other live critters. That in theory are beneficial.  I find its pretty hit and miss for me as to if its any help.

[robescc]

My wife makes it almost weekly. She always has the next batch brewing. It is okay but it's not my drink of choice.

[vandeman17]

I am sensing a wife trend and kombuca....

[runamuk]

Naw I am single no wife here.

[Timberstalker]