Yesterday, while perusing motheringdotcommune, I learned of kombucha tea on this thread...and was immediately intrigued. Have you heard of it? "Kombucha is the Western name for sweetened tea or tisane that has been fermented by a macroscopic solid mass of microorganisms called a "kombucha colony," usually consisting principally of Acetobacter-species and yeast cultures" - wiki
Turns out its around 2000 years old...the technique or recipe that is. Since i am ever on the hunt for immune boosters and healthful bacteria sources...this tea is now on my to do list. I like the challenge of finding a scoby and experimenting to get a good final product.
Its certainly strange....place a pancake sized mushroom or SCOBY (Symbiotic Colony of Bacteria and Yeast)which is very much alive...in a jar with tea and sugar...and wait 2 weeks. If the ph is between 2.5 & 4.5...you have kombucha...which is generally believed to be a very healthy and refreshing drink.
While at the local health food store last evening...I asked around to see if there just might be a SCOBY donor among the help...and sure enough...looks like I may be adopting one in the future! Now...to gather my supplies...1 gallon glass jar, organic black tea, rubber band, coffee filter, and maybe even cute cork topped bottles for storage.
Have you tried Kombucha before? Commercial or homebrew? What did you think of it? Maybe you have even made some before. I would love to hear from everyone with kombucha experience...and those who are just hearing of it. Sure was news to me. Sounds fun and rewarding.....now just waiting for the scoby to arrive.
