Have you heard of Kombucha tea? This unusual elixir is known around the world and is an ancient remedy. In areas of Japan and China the Kombucha starter was given as a wedding gift as a blessing for good health.
Growing Kombucha is easy, and starts with a piece of Kombucha. Thoroughly clean a gallon ceramic or glass jar, and add to it a tea mix made from two liters of boiling water, one cup of sugar, and 4 tea bags. Let the tea bags sit in the water as it naturally cools to room temperature. You are then ready to add your Kombucha start along with one cup of the fermented Kombucha brew.
Make sure your hands are clean, and then clean them further with a little bit of the fermented tea to bring a good PH balance to your hands. Don’t allow your Kombucha start to touch metal, either. Simply add your Kombucha start, cover the container with a paper towel rubber banded in place, and leave your tea blend in a cool dark place.
After a week to ten days you can strain off all but about a cup of the fermented blend, and store it in the fridge to retard further growth. Mix some new tea and sugar blend to replace what you’ve strained off, and you’re ready to let this new blend rest and grow for another week.
When you start to drink Kombucha tea you can start with about a quarter cup. It is great for your digestion, and has a very calming effect as well. Increase your intake at your own pace. Try a variation on your tea by using flavored tea bags like cinnamon or apple.
About once a month you will need to clean the jar. You can start another gallon supply as you had with your earlier batches. The oldest bottom layer of mushroom can be taking out at this time. You can bury bits of the mushroom in the soil for your house plants, or under a tree in the garden as a supplemental nutritional treat.
Perhaps your friends may like a start of Kombucha. Just take the extra layers, after washing your hands of course, and put them in a clean jar with about a cup of the fermented tea. Share with them the basics of growing your own Kombucha tea, and everyone will appreciate this delicious healthy drink!
