Our world here in the Pacific Northwest is gully washed, dreary and drenched from recent storms. But even though the earth is sodden and not yet ready for seed planting and I'm feeling gloomy in my gray surroundings, I'm finding solace in at least thinking of the sun on my back, (hopefully soon) a little perspiration on my brow and my bare feet propped up as I sit on the patio with something refreshingly cool to drink. Thankfully I have an imagination to while away my present discomfort. And if I start now, in less than 2 weeks I'll have that cool refreshing drink at my fingertips! I'm talking about Kombucha Tea, the perfect refreshment for those sunnier days hiding just around the corner. Kombucha is a fermented concoction that is delightfully zippy, tangy and sweet all at the same time and I love it!
Kombucha as many of you may know is produced via a culture referred to as S.C.O.B.Y. , or Symbiotic Culture Of (friendly) Bacteria and Yeast. It's a pro-biotic fermented beverage that touts a great deal of documentation on the net regarding it's history, chemical make-up and health benefits. Kombucha is commercially available in most health food stores. But with a mother culture (scoby), tea, sugar and water you can produce this thirst quenching tea yourself for an endless supply at just pennies per glass.
Every batch of Kombucha yields a baby culture ready to share. That's the beauty of this zesty drink! Below is a slide show of a Kombucha Tea harvesting session here at Panther Creek Cottage. I hope you find it curious and anxious in making your own someday. Try it sometime, I think you'll love it too, especially barefoot!
If you find Kombucha delightful then I'm sure you'll be equally thrilled with Kefir, another fermented pro-biotic beverage. Kefir is made using milk and kefir grains. I enjoy it by the glass or use it often in recipes, I even make small batches of kefir cheese! If your interested in learning more then check out the posts below.
~Cheers to sunnier days ahead~
Kombucha Tea Instructions
P.S. I have a few baby cultures in need of nurturing homes. Leave your contact info. in the comment section and I'll see what I can do. And hello fellow tweeps! if you were gladdened even a little by this post would you so kindly tweet it instantly by clicking on the following:
Make your own refreshing Kombucha! via @cottagewoman http://bit.ly/HPQ5RK #fermentedfood
Make your own refreshing Kombucha! via @cottagewoman http://bit.ly/HPQ5RK #fermentedfood
2 comments:
Baby cultures - Kombucha - oh yes! what an incredible idea. I did not know all of this. How did I not know any of this?
Can a baby like this cross a border and a continent do you think?
(p.s. I ponder often on the 'umbrella' - thoughts coming shortly)
Very good of you wife to keep me in your thoughts. Let me know what you find out about the traveling Kombucha and I will see what I can find out on this end. Take care!
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