The Best Flavors of Kombucha

Gut health is the new “it” thing, but it’s not a fad! Your gut health affects every part of your health, including:

• Digestion
• Skin, hair, and nails
• Mental health
• Blood sugar
• Liver function
• Sleep and adrenal function
• Circulatory system

One of the best ways to support your gut health is by eating and drinking fermented products. Fermented foods and drinks provide your body with plenty of gut-healthy probiotics. These fight against bad bacteria and set good bacteria into motion.

Not only is kombucha one of the most beneficial fermented products, but it’s delicious, too! Think of kombucha as an extra-healthy tea. Even though it has some natural sugar, it’s a good kind of sugar. In fact, all the ingredients are from the earth.

Kombucha is in most grocery stores nowadays, especially specialty shops. Many mom-and-pop kombucha stands serve freshly brewed goodness right from the tap, too. But, one of the best ways to ensure that what you’re putting in your body is up to your standards is to make it yourself.

The Benefits of Kombucha… Especially Homemade
Kombucha is technically a tea. The fermentation process gives it a natural carbonation that makes it extra fun to drink. Since there are so many possible flavors, drinking kombucha never gets old. Plus, you know that with every sip, you’re putting something good into your body!

Fermenting kombucha requires a SCOBY. This stands for “symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast.” Every kombucha drink is full of live (good) bacteria and microbes. These feed the positive gut flora necessary for a healthy body.

This fizzy probiotic tea is also full of antioxidants. Antioxidants reduce inflammation all over the body. This means that when you drink kombucha, you’re helping lessen disease from the inside out. It helps detox your digestive system, which in turn helps to detox the rest of your body.

Benefits of regular kombucha drinking include:

• Regulated blood sugar
• Lowered cholesterol
• Improved liver function
• Healthier skin, hair, and nails
• Reduced aches, pains, and inflammatory symptoms

Save Money Too!

Plus, when you brew homemade kombucha, you’re saving money! A bottle of kombucha (about two servings or so) runs anywhere from $3-$5. That adds up, especially if you want to see the most benefits, which means you need to drink it often. Once you’ve collected your initial brewing supplies, a gallon of this fizzy probiotic tea only costs about $2 a gallon to make.

Some brands of store-bought kombucha have some unwanted added sugars and ingredients. So, brewing your own gives you more knowledge and control. This is a serious benefit when you’re trying to use your kombucha drinking to boost your health.

Kombucha in the kitchen doesn’t stop at a healthy, delicious drink, either! You can use your homemade kombucha to create sourdough starters, make gourmet mustard, or as a base for salad dressings and dips.

Furthermore, you can reuse your bottles over and over. Then, use pieces of your original SCOBY to give to friends and family interested in brewing their own, too.

The Best Kombucha Flavors

One of the best things about kombucha is that you can make it exactly how you like it. If you like citrusy flavors, there are recipes for that! If you like yours more on the sweet side, that’s easy to do!

Which of these kombucha flavors sound like ones that you’d enjoy the most? Have you tried any of these kombucha flavors? Do you want to give these recipes a whirl? Leave us a blog comment!

Whip together your chosen ingredients. Then add to your kombucha after the first fermentation cycle. Have fun!

Fruity Kombucha Flavors

• Lemon Lime – Lemon and lime juice plus ginger (if you like it) make a simple and refreshing flavor.
• Rosemary Grape – Let this bring you to the Mediterranean isles through your tastebuds. Puree some grapes and drop them into your brew along with a sprig or two of rosemary.

• Cranberry Orange – This exudes all the flavors of the holidays. Crush some cranberries and add freshly squeezed OJ. For an extra fun pop, toss in some whole cranberries!
• Carrot and Apple – Carrot might be a veggie, but it’s full of natural sweetness. Use blended or grated carrots with apples and mix with your brew. You could even add ginger or turmeric for a fun kick!

Spicy Kombucha Flavors

• Pomegranate Spice – Combine pomegranate juice, cinnamon, and nutmeg. These make the perfect spicy elements to warm you up this winter.
• Chai Spice – Make chai spice with cloves, allspice, cardamom, and cinnamon. Add a touch of vanilla to bring the flavors together.
• Root Beer – Boil sarsaparilla root and wintergreen leaf. Strain for an infusion that tastes just like your favorite root beer. Add a half cup of sugar plus molasses, lime juice, and vanilla to taste.

Out-of-the-Ordinary Kombucha Flavors

• Choco-Mint – Talk about a sweet treat! Add some cocoa powder and peppermint essence. Choose dark or milk chocolate powder to suit your tastes.
• Lavender Lemon – This screams summertime! Add some lavender flowers and lemon to taste. Then enjoy the feeling of relaxation and rejuvenation.
• Chia Seed – Chia seeds are a wonder food in their own right. Add some chia seeds to your brew as you’re about to drink it until it reaches your preferred consistency. Think of this as dessert!
• Sleepy Time – Mix your preferred taste of chamomile, sage, oregano, and basil. Sip on this before bedtime and enjoy sweet dreams and restful sleep!

Learn to Brew Homemade Kombucha

If this has you salivating for some fermented goodness, Stoney Creek Farm has you covered! Come check out our How to Make Kombucha class on Saturday, March 23rd. For only $40, you’ll learn about the ingredients and equipment you need to brew homemade healthy tea. We’ll teach you about the basic steps for safe and sanitary fermenting, too. Plus, you’ll go home with a starter pack of ingredients, including a fresh SCOBY!

We can’t wait to see you there. Cheers to your health and your homestead!