I love Kombucha. It tastes weird is unpredictably fizzy makes rampant and unfounded health claims and costs a small fortune - I mean how much better can a hippy new-age health fad get?
But seriously - I do love it. And ba
Good question.
Kombucha is the Western name for sweetened tea that has been fermented using a macroscopic solid mass of microorganisms called a “kombucha colony”. Sounds delicious right?
Here’s another explanation about the Kombucha organism itself (as opposed to the resulting tea) from the wikipedia page:
The Kombucha organism is a symbiotic colony of yeast’s and bacteria that form a strong membrane that covers the liquid/air interface of the vessel it grows in.
All I know is if this crap can do half the stuff it claims to I’m going to live forever.
I’d Like to File a Health ClaimAmong Kombucha’s health claims (as transcribed from the side of a GT’s bottle):
Kombucha supports:
DigestionmeOther sources online take it even further making the following claims:
Restores hair color Thickens hairDissolves gallstonesIncreases energyLengthens lifespanArterioscrosis/softens veinsSpeeds healingLowers cholesterol Lowers blood pressure Increases blood circulation Eliminates wrinkles/skin humectant Improves menopausal symptoms Strengthens leg muscles Chickenpox /herpes zoster remedyColitis/improves digestion/ nervous stomachPoultice for wounds/ulcersCleanses gallbladderLessens anxietyLevels glucoseProtects teeth from cavitiesActivates glandular systemAll that? Really?I don’t know about all that but this dude over at a place called the Mayo Clinic claims that the risks outweigh any potential rewards and cautions us to avoid it. Since everyone knows that Mayo clogs your arteries I’m not really inclined to trust him about the Kombucha.
Of course considering that the kombucha making process involves a SCOBY (symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast) vingar and a dark warm quiet place Mr. Fancy Mayo pants could possibly have a point. (I mean that even sounds a little scary to me and I eat Sea Urchin roe.)
Kombucha is a very family-oriented being and Mother cultures (stringy mucilaginous substances consisting of various bacteria that forms on the surface of a fermenting liquid and causes fermentation when added to other liquids) are required to make new Baby cultures. Isn’t that sweet?
Yes yes it is sweet. Or rather kind of vinegar-ey tasting. But in t560he good way.
Convinced yet? Me neither. I recommend going out to get yourself some “Gingerade” flavored GT’s Kombucha to try it for yourself.
It should be noted that great care should be taken when doing homebrew Kombucha as contamination can lead to illness. I am tempted to try “growing” some Kombucha myself but haven’t yet rustled up the courage to buy a starter kit and/or kidnap someone’s mother-and-babies.
Alternately leave a comment and let me know where you stand.
Kombucha: Brilliant or Barf-Tastic?
References:
http://www.nutrition4health.org/nohanews/NNW97KombuchaTea.htm
The Happy Herbalist
Mayo Clinic
Wikipedia