You’ve probably heard about a strange thing called a SCOBY and have come across kombucha click site. What the heck is it? Is this an alien lifeform? A failed science experiment? Explore the strange and wonderful world of this component that makes fizzy tea possible.
SCOBY means Symbiotic Culture Of Bacteria & Yeast. Doesn’t that sound fancy? In reality, it is just a rubbery pancake-like blob which floats atop your kombucha. It’s the brains behind the scenes, orchestrating your fermentation.
Imagine that you are in your kitchen, ready and waiting to create some homemade Kombucha. You’ve got tea, sugar and water ready. Enter the SCOBY – a not-so-secret component. This gelatinous plate is where all the magic happens. It turns sweetened tea into tangy and fizzy kombucha. By munching sugar, the kombucha ferments and produces a cocktail beneficial acids, enzymes and probiotics.
You might wonder how such an odd creature could have come to be. Imagine the ancient China of 2,000-years ago. According to legend, Emperor Qin Shi Huang sought out an elixir for immortality. As a royal health tonic, kombucha has made its way into history.
In today’s modern kitchens, home brewers proudly display their succulents as they grow their SCOBYs. You can grow your own SCOBY from scratch, if you are feeling adventurous. Buy some plain kombucha from the store. The sediment on the bottom is what you need to start your SCOBY. Pour it in a jar filled with sweetened black tea, and secure it with rubber bands. You’ll need to wait about two weeks before you notice a jellyfish-like layer on the top. You’ve created a brand new SCOBY.
Maintenance is important because a good relationship requires work. Regularly feeding your SCOBY sweetened tea is essential to keep it healthy and active. Each time you brew new kombucha, add your SCOBY to the sweetened tea along with starter liquid from previous batches. It is important to keep it covered, but not suffocating.
Mold spots can indicate contamination and should be thrown out as soon as possible. If your brew starts to smell funky or has strange textures/colors beyond the normal variations, then it’s better to be safe and start again with a healthy SCOBY.
What else can you do with extra SCOBYs besides brewing booch in endless quantities? Some people use them creatively in skincare routines such as face masks and even feed them to pets for treats (after research). Other people dehydrate them to create chewy snacks that are similar to fruit-leather. Some brave souls may even add them into smoothies for all the probiotic benefits.
What are the benefits of consuming something fermented with such an unusual organism? In addition to tasting great when prepared correctly, regular consumption can support gut health by promoting balance digestion immune function and other potential benefits. Scientific evidence is mixed across individual experiences but it’s still worth exploring for yourself!
The next time someone says “what is that strange mushroom thing floating on my drink?” you can answer them. Share your knowledge with friends, family and colleagues to show them the fascinating journey behind the humble yet powerful symbiotic bacteria yeast that transforms ordinary ingredients into extraordinary beverages enjoyed for centuries around world. Now trendy hipster cafés everywhere!