Many people are interested in the drink kombucha these days. Here's a quick primer...
"Kombucha is fermented and lightly effervescent, sweetened black or green tea. The fermentation is a result of bacteria and yeast cultures. There have been claims that kombucha aids in digestion, boosts the immune system, detoxifies the liver, improves skin and nails, and even, on the more extreme side, is believed to aid in serious health conditions, like HIV or diabetes.
Kombucha is made by adding SCOBY (symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast) to steeped tea. Acetic acid bacteria is the main strain commonly found in SCOBY. Once it’s added to the tea, it is left to infuse and ferment.
To get the perfect cup of kombucha, it takes about seven to 14 days, but if you don’t want to wait you can simply head out and buy a bottle of the ready-to-consume drink. The finished product after the fermentation process is a fizzy and slightly alcoholic beverage. If you make your own kombucha, the SCOBY can be reused time and time again.
Although there isn’t much scientific research available on kombucha, dieticians suggest that the bacteria found in the beverage do contain probiotic qualities which are well known to aid in digestion. Numerous health studies have documented that much of our immune system is found in our gut. Having a healthy gut can translate to a stronger immune system, but this isn’t to say that you will never catch a cold (though it may help reduce the risk)."
- Bel Marra Health www.belmarrahealth.com/healthy-truth-whats-deal-kombucha