Karima Magazine May-June2107

TASTE BUDS
Kombucha For Life
KOMBUCHA
FOR LIFE
EASTERN TEA PROVES MUCH MORE THAN
JUST BASIC DRINK
by Angela Karim
Kombucha is available in many different flavors and is easy
to find in case you don’t have the time to make it yourself.
A Mango Habanero
KOMBUCHA combination
found at Safeway,
S-Mart, Target,
Smart & Final,
& Walmart.
A ginger flavored
KOMBUCHA tea found at
Winco, Walmart, S-Mart,
Safeway, Target, & Raleys
A Maca Berry flavored
KOMBUCHA tea found at Safeway,
Artesian Health Foods, &
Sonshine Nutrition.
OMBUCHA is a fermented beverage that
consists of black tea and sugar. The sugar
that makes up the drink can come from
any number of sources such as honey, cane
sugar, or fruit. Once the sugar is combined with
the tea, the bacteria and yeast (aka SCOBY)
begin the fermentation process. After the drink
ferments, it becomes carbonated. When it
carbonates, you know magic has happened. The
drink then contains vinegar, b-vitamins, enzymes,
probiotics and a high concentration of acid (acetic,
gluconic and lactic). This is good, because those help
with detoxing, cleansing the body, boosting your
immune system, improving digestion, increasing
energy, losing weight, fighting cancer, and reducing
joint pain. While it only costs under $5.00 to make
your own Kombucha, there are many stores that
carry a number of Kombucha varities. Drink up and
drink to life!
44 41
DIY KOMBUCHA RECIPE
NEED:
Gallon size glass jar
1 cup sugar
13-14 cups of water
2 cups starter tea or white vinegar
a SCOBY (can purchase SCOBY or
ask someone for a baby SCOBY
or make your own)
Fermentation Cover or coffee
filter or thin cloth a
rubber band to secure cover
*traditional recipe calls for black
tea
HOW TO:
1) Combine hot water and sugar
the glass jar. Stir until the sugar
dissolves. The water should be
hot enough to steep the tea but
does not have to be boiling.
2) Place the tea or tea bags in the
sugar water to steep.
3) Let the tea cool to room
temperature (It needs to be
completely cooled down.)
4) When tea is cool, remove
tea bags.
5) Add your starter tea. If no starter
tea then add the vinegar
6) Add an active SCOBY
7) Cover the jar a cover, cloth, or
coffee filter, and secure it with
the rubber band.
8) Then put the jar in a warm
corner of the kitchen 65-85
degrees is the best for the brew.
Let the liquid ferment for 7-10
days out of direct sunlight.
9) Keep your SCOBY and enough
liquid to use as a starter for your
next batch.
* the finished kombucha can be flavored
and bottled, if desired, or enjoyed plain.
Karima Magazine.indd 44
5/21/17 5:08 PM