KOMBUCHA: GET IT. DRINK IT. BREW IT. SPRAY IT ON YOUR FACE.
EDIT UPDATE: To cut out unnecessary words, and to note that this was written PRE-Covid, BEFORE I opened my shop (which just so happens to be right next door to Turnip the Beet - where I rediscovered Kombucha, and thus mentioned here).
So firstly, please enjoy some slightly informational entertainment about Kombucha.
These are both parody videos. I do love a good parody and this time I found two. I added them both because they each made me laugh, and they give me those LA and San Diego vibes. Also, even though they’re total parodies, each video still throws out some good info. Pick a video, any video. Or watch both and read on:
So here is why I'm really into Kombucha. Booch. The lovely fermented tea.
Around the beginning of Summer, my other half and I were picking up some dinner at a fab little takeaway in Killearn. As we were waiting for our meals to be boxed, I happened to look over at their shelves and lo-and-behold, sitting there was a glorious beverage I had long forgotten about! They had a shelf full of Kombucha!!!!! I feel like the stars and planets aligned that day, the very heavens opened up, and there was glittering golden light shining down on this beautiful beverage, haha ;)
I walked over and grabbed four bottles to take home with us. I was so excited to get it home and drink it! And oh yes, it was as delicious as I remembered. It was perfectly sweet, and sour, and gently carbonated and I could feel it working wonders on my stomach. I swear you feel your belly smiling up at you when you have some.
Turnip the Beet is where we were, and they make excellent kombucha amongst sooooo many other lovely things you can consume. If you're ever in the area at a time when they're open you should consider stopping by. Let them tempt you.
NOTE /UPDATE: During Covid Turnip the Beet is STILL OPEN for collections, coffee, cake, heavenly “naan-wich” sandwiches, soup, chocolate covered banana bread, even some excellent retail options, etc. DO CHECK THEM OUT.
My home brewing area :)
A closer look at the “booch” station :)
Now back to the Kombucha. I had first discovered this fermented beverage years ago.
I was obsessed when I discovered it back then, and I'm pretty much obsessed with it all over again. Only this time I had to figure out how to make the stuff at home!
It’s probably important to convey that one of the reasons I was so intrigued and wanted to get to brewing it myself is the fact that my other half had been getting this persistent pain in his side, and his gut. It was so painful for him, and so concerning.
The pain had gotten so sharp that at certain times he was having trouble sitting. He ended up going to see our doctor, where they did an array of tests and x-rays over the course of a couple of weeks. They found absolutely nothing, which was in my opinion, creepy. What was causing the pain?
After the tests found nothing, and the pain kept persisting, he noticed that after drinking a couple of bottles of the (Turnip the Beet) kombucha, the pain quite noticeably DISAPPEARED. He felt that the disappearance was connected to the booch, and all of its fermented properties. I thought so as well. Considering the probiotic element potentially helping whatever was going on with his gut, we kept buying it for him. At one point we bought up ALL THE KOMBUCHA at Turnip the Beet, so we needed to wait for their next batch to ferment.
At that point the wheels of my brain started turning. I watched a million YouTube videos, did endless Google searches and then I purchased some organic Scobys /pellicles, pickling jars, etc. I started to brew it at home.
Haha :) One of my fave Banksy prints seemed fitting. Poor Einstein. Love my Google though ;)
And here we are now, a few months down the road and I'm feeling quite inspired and oh so pleased to be brewing it myself.
Now, brewing it at home may or may not be for you. But finding a local maker or supplier just might be in your best interest. The only contraindications appear to be for anyone with diabetes to consult their doctor first, and I believe that has to do with the fact that sugar is involved in the fermentation process, even though the sugar gets eaten up by the Scoby, so by the time you're drinking it the amount of sugar is negligible. But still, consult your doctor if you have diabetes.
A close up look at a “Scoby”. You'll need one of these to start brewing at home.
For me, I have awakened the little kid inside me that really enjoyed the behind the scenes elements of doing science experiments. I can't say I had fun doing the paperwork and homework element of said experiments, but testing the hypothesis and theories and of course making things were always fun.
I love to find natural health, beauty, and wellness remedies. It's such fun playing with different blends, recording the recipes, how do they taste if I add different teas or sugars, and pureed fruit or juice? What if I let it ferment for longer? Does that affect the carbonation or flavor? I love it all :)
After infusing it with organic hibiscus flowers, I added my Organic booch to some lovely organic flower waters for misting on your face. These bottles are the two original blends I created.
This has been so very helpful. Also check out her YouTube channel. She's so great at explaining the ins and outs of home brewing.
I'll close now with a video by the lovely lady at https://www.youbrewkombucha.com/
In my quest to find out more about brewing the booch at home, she has consistently been my absolute FAVE to watch and learn from. She is just so watchable. She has videos on every aspect of kombucha tips and tricks, recommendations, and she kind of makes you understand the science behind why it’s so good for you, and why brewing at home can be fun rather than daunting.
I loved all her videos so much that when she released her own book/ brewers log a couple of weeks ago, I simply had to get it. You can order straight from her website, but I chose to get it on amazon.co.uk since I’m in the UK. The log has been oh so helpful. K, enjoy her explanation of what kombucha actually is, below:
Okay, thank you for stopping by today, and have a lovely day or night wherever in the world you might be.
Tara xx