Saturday, November 29, 2008

Kombucha Recipes for a Healthier You

By Virginia Pipolini

Many cultures know the benefits of Kombucha tea. In some parts of Asia a starter was given as a wedding present to the new bride for health and wellness for her new household. Kombucha tea is known for its healthy restorative properties.

You start your Kombucha tea with a healthy start and a cup of the fermented tea. Clean and sterilize a glass jar with boiling water and a little Kombucha tea. Then mix one cup of sugar with two liters of boiling water and add 4 tea bags. You can take the tea bags out later when the mixture cools. Now you are ready to add your mushroom to the fresh tea mix.

Just remember a few things before you work with your Kombucha. Clean your hands thoroughly, and rinse them with a little Kombucha tea before you touch the mushroom. Don't ever touch metal to your mushroom, either. Store your new tea mix in a dark place, covered with a cloth or paper towel that's secured in place to keep out insects.

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.

Periodically you will need to clean your Kombucha jar to release sediment build up. At this time you can toss out the oldest bottom layers. Make sure you compost it, it is full of many great nutrients! Give your old Kombucha mushrooms or layers to your houseplants and fruit trees as a healthy boost.

Those new layers of Kombucha mushroom can be shared with your friends, just make sure you give them a cup of the fermented liquid as well to keep the mushroom growing and healthy. Educate them as well as to the proper way to start your Kombucha tea. Those extra layers can be stored in the fridge or freezer for months.

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