Kombucha is a fermented tea of the same name. It has been used as a health tonic, to prevent illness and slow aging, in foods and drinks, and even as alternative medicine. These days it’s more likely to find kombucha in your fridge or at your local natural food store than it is to have old-fashioned fermented cabbage juice on hand. Though the tea is named after the black liquid it produces, it’s generally called kombucha or kvass.
Origin
The first-ever recorded use of the term kombucha was in 1685. The Russian word for a fermented drink, кумбуковая (kumbakovaya), was used by Alexander Allatius to describe a beverage he had been making from black tea and the bacteria that produce carbon dioxide. The German term he used, kombucha, meant “truffle tea,” which is why the word may also appear in German dictionaries.
The known history of kombucha begins in Japan and China. Both cultures had been fermenting the popular beverage for centuries before it was introduced to Russia. It wasn’t until 1908 that kombucha came to Germany and Britain, which was available until World War I. Then it disappeared from the West until its recent resurgence in popularity as a health food drink.
Kombucha has been used in Russia to help cure colds, allergies, arthritis, and many other chronic illnesses. Kombucha is rich in probiotics and antioxidants, which help stave off sickness and keep your immune system strong. Kombucha tea is much like kefir and kimchi-it’s a fermented food with bacterial cultures. These probiotic drinks are good for digestion and preventing heart disease and cancer. You can make them at home easily using simple ingredients that you probably have on hand now.
Taste
Russian kombucha is generally very tart and mildly effervescent. It was often served in restaurants with a few leaves of fresh mint floating on top, like a tea version of the Italian American soda fountain treat, the spritzer. Traditional Russian kvass can be made with bread or potatoes instead of tea, but it’s still sour in flavor and has to ferment for two days before it’s ready for drinking.
Its taste is boosted by sugar, often flavored with a few drops of lemon or lime. The most popular flavors in the West are raspberry, blueberry, and strawberry, but various other fruits may be used.
Powerful Ingredients
The tea base for kombucha is made from black tea, sugar, and a healthy mix of bacteria (at least five different kinds) that start fermenting it in a warm environment. The bacteria eat the sugars in the tea and spit out gas and acids, turning the liquid into a tangy brew.
These cultures make kombucha so beneficial when you’re consuming it regularly as part of a healthy diet and lifestyle. The bacteria and yeast produced in the fermentation process help keep you healthy by strengthening your immune system and fighting off diseases. Kombucha also contains a lot of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and enzymes, as well as probiotics.
Lactic acid and enzymes produced by the beneficial bacteria are very beneficial in helping you digest food properly. The various acids produced during fermentation can also kill harmful organisms that may be present in the tea.
Health Benefits of Kombucha
Kombucha has been used across the ages as a healthful and powerful beverage that can help you fight off sickness while helping your body function at its best. Here are the health benefits of Kombucha:
1. Antioxidants
Kombucha is particularly rich in antioxidants, which help your cells combat free radicals, protecting your body from illnesses and diseases. The tea also contains many B vitamins, which aid in keeping your metabolism strong so you can process foods properly. It’s a great way to get enough B vitamins to relieve fatigue and boost your energy.
The antioxidants in kombucha also help protect and heal cells that pathogens and other harmful toxins have damaged. A study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food found that kombucha has a powerful antioxidant effect, which could explain its effectiveness against infections.
2. Healthy Mouths
Because kombucha contains bacteria, it helps improve the health of your mouth and your digestive system. Kombucha is full of probiotics, which can help fight off any harmful pathogens that may enter your mouth while you are eating and drinking.
Kombucha also reduces the number of bacteria in your mouth that lead to tooth decay, cavities, and gingivitis. The lactic acid produced when making kombucha also acts as a natural whitener for your teeth. Drinking this tea regularly can help you keep your pearly whites white and healthy.
3. Improves Acne
Kombucha has been used for over one thousand years for its effective treatment of acne. It is an excellent natural face wash that helps cleanse the pores and prevent acne pimples. Kombucha contains Lactobacillus, which is known to produce lactic acid, which can dissolve the dead skin cells and prevent further breakouts.
The antioxidants and vitamins C, B, and E in kombucha help promote skin renewal, giving you beautiful, glowing skin. It is perfect as a natural face wash and can also be used as a hair rinse to prevent hair loss and greying. Kombucha can be applied topically to treat certain skin conditions such as psoriasis, blackheads, and eczema.
4. Digestive Health
The gut is the central nervous system’s second brain, and kombucha is great for it. Kombucha contains probiotics that are essential for digestion, especially the absorption of nutrients from food. It also helps keep the gut healthy by killing off harmful bacteria in the intestines and boosting immunity against disease.
Kombucha can also help you lose excess weight by improving your digestion and metabolism. It keeps your intestinal tract clean and in good shape, which can help prevent the buildup of toxins that can lead to extra weight.
The antioxidants in kombucha also boost your liver’s ability to break down harmful substances and flush them out of your body. It improves the health of your entire digestive system.
5. Immune System Support
Kombucha contains lots of vitamins and minerals, enzymes, and antioxidants that can support your immune system. The probiotics in kombucha produce lactic acid, an excellent support for your body’s immune system. It helps keep bad bacteria at bay and helps to boost your immune system.
The antioxidants in kombucha can also help reduce the risk of infections and keep you from getting sick. Drinking kombucha regularly can also improve your metabolic function, which helps you fight off illness by burning fat faster than it is being produced.
6. Exfoliation
Kombucha has been used for centuries to help reduce the appearance of stretch marks on the skin and other types of discoloration. The acids present in kombucha can be absorbed into your skin and help exfoliate it, making you younger and more beautiful. Kombucha cleanses dead skin cells from your body’s surface that can clump together and form scars.
Bacteria and yeast from the fermentation process in kombucha are known to regenerate your skin, giving it a youthful appearance. Your skin will appear fresher, clearer, and more vibrant.
7. Fights Cancer
Cancer does not just form on its own but develops from the accumulation of free radicals in the body. The antioxidants found in kombucha can help protect your cells from free radicals and eliminate toxins and other harmful substances that may encourage the growth of cancer cells.
The acids produced in kombucha help keep your body’s pH levels balanced, which can help prevent tumor formation and reduce the risk of cancer. Kombucha contains lots of probiotics, which stop pathogens from growing and increase the immune system’s ability to fight off diseases.
8. Helps Treat Flu and Cold Symptoms
Kombucha helps prevent colds and flu by strengthening your immune system, instantly improving your functioning when exposed to a virus. It also contains Lactobacillus, which helps to reduce the production of hydrogen peroxide that can be formed when your body is under attack.
Your immune system detects free radicals as a threat and attacks them to eliminate them. Kombucha fights free radicals and reduces the number of pathogens that may be attacking you, making you healthier and more resistant to illness.
Side Effects of Kombucha
Although kombucha is a completely natural drink that has been used for centuries, you may experience some side effects when drinking it. Here are the side effects of kombucha that you may experience.
1. Headaches.
Kombucha contains the sugar fructose, which can act as a sugar alcohol and cause headaches.
2. Odor.
The fermentation process can cause an offensive odor in kombucha that some people find unpleasant and off-putting. The good news is that this smell dissipates quickly after you drink it.
3. Dizziness.
Drinking too much kombucha can make you feel dizzy and nauseous. If you drink kombucha more frequently than every few days, having some food with your kombucha can help prevent it. The extra nutrients in the food will help you process the acids that may make you feel queasy.
4. Dehydration and Heat Stroke.
Kombucha contains caffeine, which can cause dehydration when consumed excessively in large amounts over a long period. Excessive kombucha consumption can also cause heat stroke, especially if you have a condition that makes you more susceptible to heat stroke.
5. Increased Risk of Tooth Decay.
The acids in kombucha are not good for your teeth and can result in tooth decay or discoloration, depending on how long the kombucha is fermenting. You need to be careful that your teeth do not decay when drinking kombucha and brush them after each time you drink a glass of it.
6. Skin Rashes.
Kombucha can cause a rash when you drink it, especially if you are taking medications that can have an adverse effect on your skin. If you have a rash after drinking kombucha, talk to your doctor about the products you are using and the changes in your skin.
How to Prepare Kombucha
No matter where you live or what you do, there is a good chance you can find someone on the Internet who makes their kombucha and is willing to share their recipe. Here are simple steps to creating your kombucha.
1. Get a Few Glasses.
Buy a few glass jars the right size for you to use, then place them in an area where you will be drinking them frequently. You can reuse the jars, and you will only need to buy four jars for your first batch.
2. Fill the Glasses with Water.
You need to fill the jars with warm water to drink but not too hot. The warmth from the water will help to kick-start the fermentation process. Leave the jars in the room where you will be drinking them and allow them to ferment.
3. Add Tea and Sugar or Honey to Each Jar.
The most common tea used to make kombucha is black tea, but green tea can also be used. You can look online for a specific kombucha instruction that uses black tea or experiment with the kind of tea you like best.
Add a little sugar or honey to the tea to give it a sweet taste. The main purpose of sugar and honey is to give the kombucha more nutrients. If you don’t like the taste of the tea, consider adding a few slices of ginger to add some flavor.
4. Leave the Jars to Ferment.
The process of brewing and fermenting kombucha is called SCOBY (a symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast). You need to leave the jars to ferment because they will continue to produce the acid and yeast, contributing to the fermentation process.
5. Taste the Kombucha after 8 Days and Decide if You Like It.
After about eight days, you should taste your kombucha and decide whether you like it. If you don’t like the taste, try adding some more sugar or honey to sweeten it more. If you don’t have a sweet tooth, consider drinking the kombucha with lemon, as it will help reset your taste buds.
