nickw

Wondering how many have drank Kombucha with good results.

I have been drinking the stuff for over a year now, really quenches that 'thirst' for something acidic and carbonated. Its really easy to mix up a batch at home, and in 8 days you have a great post ride drink.

AnthonyG

Yeah I like kombucha and I've been having it for years although I buy the real deal made by experts on a small/moderate scale.

I'm curious, do you make your own by brewing a kombucha mother culture or is there some sort of easier way to do it. I've often thought of making it but I get put off because kombucha realy likes it hot and it can get pretty cold in Canberra. What I buy is made in Queensland which is far warmer than here.

Regards, Anthony

nickw

I have quite a few friends that make it, so spare 'scobies'(big mother culture) are very plentiful. Room temperature is fine, but the warmer it is the quicker it will brew. Ill put it above my fridge, in the hot water closet or someplace warmer than the rest of the house. My house is typically pretty cold, 60F and it seems to take a 1 1/2 weeks. Let it sit in the fridge for a month with the lid on tight after its donef or more carbonation.

I follow 'Nourishing Traditions' as much as possible, and it seems you do to. They have a good kombucha recipe-

AnthonyG

Yeah Nourishing Traditions is good. I probably should just give one batch a go and see what happens. I do have Kefir grains at the moment so I'm making that along with fresh sauerkraut.

Regards, Anthony

nickw

Kefir is great stuff, but from my experience can get tricky if your not careful.

I just take a quart of raw milk, let it sit out on the counter with the lid on for a couple weeks until it seperates. Shake it up and drink, good stuff.

Also check out filmijolk, excellent as well.

AnthonyG

"Couple of weeks".

Heavens. I let raw milk sour for 24 hours on the bench top. Raw goats milk usualy takes a little longer at 48 hours. Man it must be cool where you are at the moment so how do you get kombucha to brew again.

Regards, Anthony

nickw

I let raw milk sit until it seperates into curds/whey, then shake.
I know somebody that lat a quart of milk sit for MONTHS, then drank it. It actually was really good, very acidic-

Sponge

Absoultely the worse stuff I have ever drank! I use to work for a food broker we couldn't give it away let alone sell it. One rep liked it and drank it like it was water...2 months later he had a kidney stone the size of a marble!

cmcenroe

I have also tried it. It was absolutely disgusting. I work in a health food store, and the stuff doesn't sell very well. We have an abundance of it. I started reading this thread and had to dig quite deep to find the supressed memory of vinegar-ish tasting disgusting kombucha drink. Man!

AnthonyG

Ahh come on man its not that bad.

If its taken on a vinegar taste then its old because it does do that if its brewed a long time. If the producers know how to do it then its a naturally carbonated drink not that unlike beer/ginger beer.

Also saying that Kombucha created a kidney stone is insupportable here-say. It is strong stuff if its made properly however and I probably drink about half a small glass twice a day.

Regards, Anthony

nickw

Doesnt sell well? Wow, here in Portland people hoard the stuff and its hard to find. All the stores sell out of it almost daily.
What brand were you drinking? The only one that is worth buying is the GT Daves, which is not pasturized. If you make it yourself you can tailor the process to make it less acidic and sweeter to taste. But its definatly not for everybody, but both me and my lady friend crave the stuff.