Lately, kombucha tea has become very popular. Now you can see it everywhere: from supermarket shelves to third-generation coffee shops and even in organic markets.
But do we know what kombucha is good for?
How is it make?
When was it discovered?
Let’s explore more about kombucha!
Kombucha tea also called ‘The Elixir of Life is a carbonated drink which was discovered in China about 2,000 years ago. The name of the tea comes from Dr. Kombu who took tea fungus from Korea to Japan. And ‘cha’ means ‘tea’ in Chinese.
Kombucha is made using sugar, tea, and a tea fungus called a ‘scoby’. A scoby is the starter culture and is the result of the symbiotic relationship between yeast and bacteria. Sugar is used when fermenting kombucha, but according to research, most of the sugar is eaten by the bacteria and yeast during the process. At the beginning of fermentation, kombucha has 30 calories and 2-3 grams of sugar. But these figures change during the process. The longer the fermentation period, the lower the sugar content.
Kombucha is a slightly sweet, slightly carbonated, fizzy and acidic beverage, and black, green, or white tea can be used to make it. It can be flavored with lemon, mint, jasmine, lavender, or rose to give a different flavor and make it easier to drink.
The daily recommended allowance for kombucha to avoid toxicity and side effects is 100-300 ml. All healthy individuals and children over 3 years of age can drink it. Pregnant and lactating women, people who have chronic illnesses, and those who are receiving chemotherapy should consult their doctors before partaking.
How to make kombucha tea?
To make kombucha, you need tea (black, green or white), scoby (starter culture), sugar, water, a sterile glass bottle, and some cloth. Allow the kombucha to ferment for 7-30 days. The ideal temperature for fermentation is 79-81° F. As the kombucha ferments, the amount of sugar decreases, and the taste of vinegar becomes more prominent. You can control this process at home. You should read the label to see if sugar was added when buying kombucha from the store...
Once your kombucha is ready, be sure to store it in a cool, dark place, such as a refrigerator.
What are the health benefits of kombucha tea?
- The potential source of pre and probiotics
- Good for intestinal health
- Regulates digestion system
- Boosts immune system
- Contains antioxidants
- Helps to regulate blood glucose levels in patients with diabetes
- Supports heart health
- Lowers cholesterol levels
- Rich in B complex vitamins (thiamin and niacin)
- Helps remove toxins from the body
- Helps in the treatment of skin diseases
- Effective in losing water weight and burning fat
- May help protect against cancer
The probiotics in kombucha are beneficial for your body’s gut microbiome, but more research need. Still, kombucha is a better option than all other sugar-added beverages.
