It has been such a blast introducing The Kombucha Lady brews to all of you in the Frederick and Mt. Airy markets. So far, so good and our “booch” is a big hit! There are a couple of important issues I want to address first and foremost. I am very passionate about healthy foods and drink. This is the drive and why I love brewing up this amazing drink full of goodness for your body. So here are some pointers and facts for you as you start on your better health path by adding kombucha to your life.
GO EASY!
If this is the first time for fermented or probiotic foods- for your tummy’s sake, please go easy. Just a couple of gulps introduce billions of beneficial bacteria into your gut. According to an article published in the journal Food Microbiology, the following probiotics make up this health elixir: Gluconacetobacter (>85 percent in most samples) Acetobacter (<2 percent) Lactobacillus (up to 30 percent in some samples) Zygosaccharomyces (>95 percent). If you have digestive issues, introducing fermented foods into your diet needs to be a slow and steady process. You don’t want to experience “rapid detox”.
Does kombucha contain alcohol and can kids have it?
Kombucha is a fermented tea, so some of the sugars are converted into alcohol by the yeast in the culture. So if you are sensitive to either alcohol or caffeine you need to do your diligent research. On average, kombucha has about 1% alcohol, sometimes a bit more in the warmer season or with certain sweeter fruits, like grapes. My grand-kids LOVE kombucha and drink it every single day. The minimal amount of alcohol has never been an issue for us, but I would like to be sensitive to those to whom it is an issue. If you really want kombucha in your diet, you can either add some seltzer water, add it to juice or let it continue to ferment on your counter until the acids eat up all the sugars and alcohol. It will then be vinegar but with all the kombucha benefits.
SUGAR?
Yes, I brew these wonderful organic teas and add white sugar before fermenting. Why? Kombucha cultures LOVE white sugar. I don’t love sugar but my SCOBYs (Sybiotic Culture Of Baterica and Yeast) do and thrive best on white sugar. They eat it up, literally. They convert that sugar into amazing and wonderful probiotics,enzymes, B and C vitamins, Gluconic Acid, antioxidants and the list goes on. On average, an 8 ounce glass of kombucha has 2 grams of partially and therefore, predigested sugars. Compare that to OJ which is about 27 grams of sugar in an 8 ounce glass.
I don’t love eating grass, but my cows love it, and they convert that grass into milk and meat for our good health. Same idea. I have experimented with other sweeteners and sugar works best. I have researched and read articles on both sides for diabetics. There is no science on this of yet. But there is NO sugar in vinegar, so let your kombucha sit on the counter for 2-3 days and then add to seltzer water. Best flavor for you would be the Ginger Lime, as it is the lowest in sugar.
What about Caffeine?
If you are sensitive to caffeine, as I am, stick to either the brews with Hibiscus tea (no caffeine) or the White tea brews (very low caffeine). From my research and reading, the fermentation process does lower the caffeine about 1/3. So even the brews with black teas will be only about 10-25 mgs of caffeine. But here is the great news! First of all, it is natural not an added chemical. Also in tea there is an amino acid in tea, L-Theanine that promotes serotonin production to promote relaxation, which may soften the caffeine effects. YaY! AND the big boost of vitamin B in kombucha gives you energy without the nervous feeling. I feel so clear headed and am very productive after my daily delicious glass of booch.
These seem to be the big questions at the markets when I meet you all. Hoping this answers your questions. If you have more, I would love to do my more research and answer. So mail me at liz@thekombuchalady.com or go to the contact us link.
If you have testimonials, please share also! I will post them on the website.
Drink up for health!
The Kombucha Lady
information from articles read by Dr. Axe, Kombucha Kamp, Dr. Mercola, Donna Schwenk at culturedfoodlife.com and various healthy food writers. check out What is Kombucha for more links.