Cheers! Kombucha Tea – A tasty, health-boosting
drink you can make at home
By Amy Miller & Desiree Nordby of Logee’s
Homemade kombucha tea |
Known as the “Tea of Immortality,” kombucha tea dates to China’s Qin Dynasty (220 BC) and has for centuries been highly prized as an elixir for longevity. At one time, especially during the Cultural Revolution, every household had a pot of kombucha tea brewing. Even Samurai warriors used to carry wine skins of kombucha tea and drink it before battle due to its energy-boosting properties.
Another interesting anecdote that lends itself to the health benefits of kombucha is the story of a group of elderly women who were exposed to the radiation at Chernobyl and showed no ill effect. The only thing they supposedly had in common was the fact that they consumed kombucha daily.
Amy & Desiree enjoying some kombucha! |
The many health benefits of kombucha can be traced to the bacteria and yeast (probiotics) that live within it. Compounds in the drink bond to and help excrete toxins from the liver. And because the tea is partially fermented, the antioxidants and polyphenols it contains are more bioavailable. The tea is said to relieve symptoms of many common ailments, including: gout, rheumatoid arthritis, arteriosclerosis, arthritis, constipation, impotence, obesity, diabetes, kidney stones, cholesterol, cancer and more.
The popularity of kombucha in recent years has resulted in many new brands and suppliers entering the healthy drink market. But despite the increase in supply, kombucha is still relatively expensive to purchase. That’s why so many people are interested in learning how to make their own tasty and nutritious kombucha tea at home.
Many of us here at Logee’s also make our own kombucha tea. We were so excited about our experiences with our own brewing methods that we wanted to share them with you. With these simple instructions below, you too will be able to quickly and inexpensively produce your own high quality kombucha tea.
Brewing a batch of kombucha |
HOW TO MAKE KOMBUCHA TEA
Ingredients & Materials:
One-Quart Batch:
Half-Gallon Batch:
Gallon Batch:
Instructions:
Since it is a fermented beverage, some find kombucha tea to be an acquired taste. But once you get past the initial and somewhat surprising “funkiness” of kombucha, it is likely you’ll be brewing batches of this healthy and unusually delicious drink for years to come!