How to Care for and Use Kombucha at Home (+22 Photos)

A trip to the forest won't give you the chance to put kombucha in your basket and make pickles for the winter, but that doesn't diminish its popularity. Kombucha is easy to grow at home, and knowing how to care for it and how to properly consume the infusion will help you get the most out of it.

Features of the species and useful properties

This mushroom is native to Japan. In the US and Europe, it's called "kombucha," while in Russia, it's called "tea jellyfish." This name comes from its cultivation in sweet tea. The mushroom is a cluster of yeast colonies and acetic acid bacteria.

This miracle of nature consists of a disc-shaped fruiting body and, instead of the usual stalk, a growth plate. The body is distinguished by dense, smooth, and shiny flesh that continually grows, increasing in weight and volume. The color will directly depend on the variety of tea chosen.

A colony of fungi and bacteria lives inside this organism, essentially stimulating the mushroom's growth by processing sugar. The fruiting body has several layers, and as the mushroom grows, these layers are expanded. These layers can be separated and used to propagate the tea jellyfish.

This organism is known for its beneficial properties, the main ones being:

1. Normalization of metabolism.
2. Antibacterial action.
3. Normalization of the gastrointestinal tract.
4. An adjuvant in the treatment of conjunctivitis and otitis.
5. Improving skin condition.
6. Treatment of caries.

The given list of indications for the use of medusomycetes demonstrates the wide range of possible applications in everyday life and in the treatment of various ailments.

Caring for Kombucha at Home

This species is easy to grow at home, and it doesn't require any special skills or equipment. If you'd like to grow the mushroom, all you need is a three-liter jar and a donor mushroom from which you can "pinch off" a portion that will become a full-fledged mushroom. You can buy a cutting or try growing the mushroom from scratch—that is, from sweet tea.

Brief instructions on how to care for it:

1. The first important step is to thoroughly wash the dishes you plan to use to store the kombucha. Avoid using synthetic detergents.

   

2. Remove the mushroom from the container, let it "breathe" for a couple of minutes on a saucer, rinse with boiled water, and place it in a clean jar with freshly poured tea. Jellyfish should be cleaned monthly.

   

Caring for the jellyfish mushroom is simple; the main thing is to follow the rules, and then it will become a regular guest in the kitchen, and the healing drink from it will supplement your diet and improve your health.

Common mistakes in caring for tea jellyfish

Growing mushrooms seems straightforward, but beginners often make mistakes that result in the mushrooms dying or becoming unsuitable for drinking. Common mistakes when growing mushrooms include:

1. Discarding a young donor mushroom without seeing results. Don't wait for the mushroom to grow immediately after placing it in the jar. Only after a week will the mushroom grow and begin to actively develop.

   

2. Pouring a solution containing unmelted sugar onto the surface of the fruiting body will only cause burns and will not improve the condition of the growing organism.
3. Tearing off the bottom layer of the jellyfish mushroom, which looks unsightly compared to the smooth surface. It is the bottom layer that is responsible for the organism's growth and nutrition.
4. Turning the kombucha body upside down will prevent it from producing the necessary substances.
   Please note!

   It is important to ensure that the smooth part of the fruiting body is always on the surface.
5. Changing the liquid too infrequently will cause the drink to become sour and unfit for consumption.
6. Using a metal or glass container that's too small. Metal will ruin the flavor and won't provide any health benefits, while a container that's too small will simply prevent the mushroom from growing due to lack of space.
7. Pouring tea that's too hot onto the jellyfish mushroom will simply boil it and make it unusable. The tea should be added only after it's cooled.

   

8. Tears and significant damage to the surface during “bathing” can lead to the death of the body.
9. An open container with a growing organism will attract insects, especially in summer, and they will lay their larvae on its surface. Covering the container with gauze or a thin cloth will help prevent this.

Brewing Kombucha Tea

To enjoy this healthy drink, simply drain it from the jar. It's important to remember to replenish the tea solution to support the growth of the fruiting body. This drink can be stored in the refrigerator.

A new infusion is prepared as follows:

• Brew strong tea in drinking water (purified, filtered) and let it cool to room temperature. Don't rush making the infusion or using boiling water;
• drain some of the infusion from the container with the mushroom;
• Dissolve sugar in the tea leaves, straining them first. For 3 liters of tea, you need 300 g of sugar;
• Pour everything into a glass container. In three to four days, the healing drink will be ready again.

The drink made from this wondrous organism is often called kvass for its color and similar flavor. To obtain a carbonated drink, drain the mushroom infusion and leave it in a cool place for several days, tightly sealed with a lid. By continuing the fermentation process, you'll create an excellent homemade version of medicinal kvass.

Directions for use and dosage

Since jellyfish tea has medicinal properties, it's natural to have rules and dosages for its consumption. For a healthy person, the recommended daily intake is three glasses. The main rule is not to drink the infusion of an unhealthy or damaged mushroom. Let us consider in more detail the restrictions and indications for different groups of diseases.

For diabetes

People with this condition are recommended to drink 200 ml of the drink in several doses. It is advisable to dilute it with water or weak tea to reduce the sugar content. Drinking the infusion improves overall health and has a positive effect on accelerating metabolism, preventing the development of atherosclerosis and hypertension, and boosting immunity.

Regular consumption of tea beverage helps to reduce overall blood glucose levels, which is especially important for diabetics.

In oncology

Kombucha's antibacterial properties make it popular in cancer treatment. Patients with various types of cancer are allowed to drink 2-3 glasses of this infusion daily. There are also many folk remedies using this infusion to combat the disease.

For pancreatitis and other gastrointestinal problems

The use of this infusion for gastrointestinal diseases is controversial, and depending on the stage of the disease, this drink may be contraindicated. During exacerbations of diseases, including acute pancreatitis, drinking the infusion is strictly prohibited due to its acidic content, which will worsen the patient's condition.

If the disease is in remission, there are no contraindications and up to 500 ml of infusion can be used for daily prevention to normalize the functioning of the stomach and intestines.

For other diseases

The drink's positive effects on the human body have been proven when consumed in moderation. This product is contraindicated in the following conditions:

• arthritis;
• fungal infections;
• allergy to one of the components of the composition.

Each organism has individual characteristics, and therefore it is necessary to check with a doctor about the possibility of using kombucha infusion in your diet.

During pregnancy and lactation

During pregnancy and lactation, you can drink 2-3 glasses of Medusomyces infusion, provided the woman does not have conditions such as diabetes, ulcers, or allergies to it. A healthy woman can get the maximum amount of nutrients from the drink; it improves digestion and boosts immunity.

Answers to frequently asked questions

Despite the fact that the mushroom has long been used in folk medicine, various questions often arise about its correct use:

Kombucha is a unique organism that originated in the East and is popular for its healing properties and richness in various vitamins and amino acids. The drink is widely used for the prevention and treatment of illnesses. Many people grow kombucha at home and drink the beneficial beverage daily.