Kombucha: Why There’s So Much Hype Around It
If you’re a fan of finding our more surrounding kombucha, the health kick newly swarming in the media, here is one subject of conversation that has been around for quite a bit. And it doesn’t look like it’s going anywhere soon.
The health kick.
Lining the aisle in your local health food stores and farmers’ markets, is none other than the fermented tea known as Kombucha. It is well-loved by celebrities and health nuts alike, but why? We’re here to tell you all about the hype surrounding kombucha and why you may or may not want to pick up a bottle on your next grocery trip. Maybe even some hard kombucha to get you through the weekend.
What is it?
Some of you may not even know what Kombucha is, I sure didn’t. It’s actually a fermented tea, which is the explanation for bitter flavor and carbonation. Fermentation is the process of a bacteria over time becoming a lactic acid giving it a sour taste, but also the source of the health aspect that kombucha tea is praised for. A similar process can be found for sauerkraut, yogurt, and vinegar, to give you more of a mental image. The fermented tea Kombucha has probiotic properties found in other foods like yogurt, which promotes good gut health and reduces inflammation. And who wouldn’t want a drink with those properties post-workout?
The bigger question being asked by many is it really beneficial to your health. And while there are a lot of studies being done, there has been no hard evidence to show an immense impact on health. That being said, many commercial brands add probiotics to their Kombucha brands making the drink more worthwhile, plus if you are a fan of the taste, there’s no reason not to hop on the health kick. Many individuals have reported feeling better since working Kombucha into their diet, so it works for some raging fans!
How to make it.
Many people who enjoy the taste of kombucha are getting creative and making their own! My college roommate was an avid kombucha maker, and it’s honestly a really cool hobby. The first thing to do is purchase raw and unpasteurized kombucha as your base, it has to be raw and unpasteurized to work, and this will be the base of the SCOBY you’ll be growing.
The SCOBY, also known as the mother, is the base of bacteria that will cause your tea to ferment over time. So make sure to have a good quality large glass jar to let that baby grow. As gross as it sounds the more floating sediment in that raw bucha bottle the better, cause that what came from the old SCOBY and will eventually let your new SCOBY grow and flourish. The satisfaction of being a kombucha mom is like having plants and watching them grow into stunning and leafy masterpieces.
The final stage is adding the desired flavorings to your kombucha once the tea turns from sweet to sour, and then keeping it in a sealed container to continue the carbonation process. As there are a ton of tips and details surrounding the fermenting process, I recommend using this recipe from delish, which was my source for figuring out how to make my own bucha and join the health kick.
The different flavors.
The best part about Kombucha is the multitude of flavors you can find in the scrumptious tea beverage. And boy do the flavors have range. Yesterday I indulged in a low-calorie ginger lemon tea kombucha flavor that was too die for. The bitterness of the ginger mixed beautifully with the sour fermentation of the Kombucha, both of which are tied together with the acidity of the lemon. If you’re not a huge fan of lemon or ginger they have a ton of other brands and flavors for anyone’s taste buds.
I recommend next time you’re at your local health food store to ask the staff for recommendations of their favorite types of bucha. They will typically have a selection of classic tea flavors, and cold options with a fruit spin like hibiscus, watermelon, coconut, and many more. Just remember all will have a sour and bitter taste under the fruit flavor, so keep that in mind if you’re trying a flavor for the first time.
Ways to enjoy it.
There are many ways you can enjoy the health kick. My favorite time to grab a glass of kombucha is post-workout. Especially if you’re doing a workout that keeps you super warm. The carbonation and fruit flavors are extremely refreshing and perfect after a good sweat session. I personally feel like it has a positive effect on my digestive system and muscle inflammation, which is also the ideal drink to have post-workout.
I also absolutely love having a bottle of kombucha on the beach. The peaceful sounds of the ocean and the grittiness of the sand make my mind at ease and body ready for the fermented goodness. It’s a great refresher when you’ve been out in the sun for a while. Another option is a ton of people love taking kombucha on short hikes and picnics. It really is an awesome drink to take on any journey involving the outdoors or being active.
Why you should try it for yourself.
Honestly the unique flavor and fun carbonation is a great staple to add to any diet. You can find kombucha brands with minimal added ingredients, so it’s typically one of the healthier beverage options. Plus there’s just something about this fizzy drink that truly makes you feel revived post-workout or outdoor activities. So next time you’re looking to buy into the health kick swarming your health store, try picking up a bottle of kombucha for the win. They can be the perfect beverage your fridge has been missing so check out the health kick.
Or if you’re looking for a fun new weekend drink that isn’t a beer or a seltzer, tons of stores like Trader Joe’s are offering hard kombucha, which is an alcoholic version of the drink. It definitely still has the classic kombucha hints, kind of like a cider, but is a lot lighter than most alcoholic drinks. So give hard Kombucha a try if you’re of legal age and so inclined.
