How to grow kombucha from scratch?

A drink made from kombucha is refreshing and has a healing effect on the body, boosting immunity, improving circulation, normalizing stomach function, and eliminating excess fluid from the body. During illness, it helps fight inflammation and infection. You can grow the mushroom at home and make a delicious, healthy drink.

Growing Kombucha

A simple way to make carbonated liquid is to borrow a layer from friends or acquaintances, plant it, and pour sweet tea leaves over it. To grow the mushroom at home, follow these steps:

1. Disinfect a 3-liter jar. Pour boiling water over it.
2. Brew strong tea in a separate container and let it steep for at least 20 minutes. 3 tablespoons of tea leaves per 1 liter of boiling water is enough.
3. Strain the solution and pour it into a sterilized jar. Add 4 tablespoons of sugar. Stir until the granules are completely dissolved.
4. Fold the cheesecloth in several layers and tie the neck of the teapot to prevent dust and dirt from getting in. The kombucha is ready.

Place the container with the contents in a dark place for 1.5 to 2 months. After this time, the first layer will appear—a thin film about 2 mm thick. Brew strong tea in the same way, sweeten it, and transplant the young mushroom into the fresh infusion. After this, it will continue to grow. After 5 to 10 days, the drink will be ready to drink; it is recommended to drink it chilled.

Growing Kombucha from Rose Hips

Rosehip tea is even more beneficial than the classic version. It's enriched with vitamin C, essential for strengthening the immune system and improving the condition of skin and hair.

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Prepare it like this:

1. Rinse the thermos thoroughly inside.
2. Place fresh or dried rose hips on the bottom of the container, at a rate of 20-30 pieces per 1 liter of water.
3. Close the thermos with a lid.

After two months, open the container. During this time, a mushroom will grow in the thermos, which can be used to create a delicious healing drink. Remove it from the container, rinse, and transfer it to the bottom of a pre-sterilized jar.

Prepare a strong tea in a separate container, cool, strain, and sweeten it. Pour the tea infusion into the container with the mushroom and cover the neck with cheesecloth. It will be ready to drink in 7-10 days. After 1.5 months, it will have grown to the diameter of the jar.

Growing from a piece

If someone shared a layer of mushroom tea or rosehip infusion with you, the task is easier, as you don't have to wait several months for it to steep. Prepare a drink from it as follows:

1. Rinse the piece thoroughly on all sides with boiled water.
2. Sterilize the jar. Pour boiling water over it.
3. Brew tea at a rate of 1-2 tablespoons per 1 liter of water and strain. Sweeten the cooled tea and add the mushroom.

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The drink can be consumed after 3 days. After 5-10 days, it will acquire a rich flavor. Tie a thick layer of cheesecloth around the jar's neck to prevent dust from forming while still allowing air to flow through.

Care

The mushroom can grow for several years, becoming thicker. Layers will form, which can be separated by hand and transferred to a new jar. To ensure the drink is tasty and healthy, and to keep the layer itself free of disease and healthy growth, follow a few care guidelines:

1. Always steep the liquid in a glass container. Any other material will cause oxidation, which will negatively impact its flavor.
2. When storing a jar of mushrooms in the kitchen, keep them away from food and the stove. They have good absorbent properties.
3. Don't cover the container with a tight lid instead of cheesecloth. Mold will form on the mushroom.
4. Pour the tea leaves only when the sugar has dissolved. Let them cool first. Sand or hot liquid will cause burns on the tea leaves.
5. Once a month, empty the container, thoroughly rinse the mushroom and jar, and then infuse the drink again.
6. Make sure there is always some liquid in the container; do not drain it completely before adding new tea leaves.

You can monitor the mushroom's health by its color. A brownish tint indicates that the tea was too strong. Rinse it with water, then refill with a weaker infusion. A white tint or speckles indicate burns from sugar grains, tea leaves, or boiling water. After this, the mushroom may stop growing and die.

Kombucha drink has a lot of useful propertiesIt's a great thirst quencher in summer. Grow and brew it properly to have a year-round source of vitamins, beauty, and health in your kitchen. Don't forget to properly care for your "pet" in the jar.