Kombucha Tea

It's been a while since I wrote blog. But I'm back! I just finished my first batch of Kombucha Tea! One of my great girlfriends, Suzie, has been drinking Kombucha Tea since her aunt introduced her to it. She told me about it when she first got her mushroom. Then a few months ago, the Celiac Disease Foundation mentioned the benefits of Kombucha Tea for individuals with Celiac because it helps with digestion, and keeping the digestive track healthy! Kombucha mushrooms reproduce every week, so I finally got one of Suzie's baby mushrooms.

What a process it is to prepare Kombucha Tea!!! I had great instruction from Suzie, and her sister, Stephanee. I went to Target to buy a large glass container, and cheese cloth from Home Depot. To make the tea, you boil a large pot of water, then add a bunch of tea bags and let steep. After allowing the tea to brew and steep, sugar is added, and then you wait. The tea has to cool down, and become room temperature before adding the mushroom. Once the tea has cooled down, the mushroom can be added, the cheese cloth put over the top, and then it has to sit for 7 days.

The tea begins to ferment over the 7 days. I watched the many phases of the mushroom over the 7 days. It was so interesting to see it gradually produce a baby mushroom on the top. After the 7 days, which was today, I poured the drink into glass pitchers, and they are now stored in my fridge, and I have a new batch starting. My new batch is a Vanilla Caramel Black Tea :)

I am still learning about Kombucha and all the benefits associated from the tea. What I do understand so far is the mushroom is a probiotic "living organism" which creates a healthy bacteria that aids in intestinal health.

Here are some of the reported benefits:
# Acts as a gentle laxative, helping avoid constipation.
# Aids in the relief of arthritis.
# Cleanses the colon and gall bladder.
# Aids in healthy digestion
# Relieves colitis and stomach cramps.
# Helps stop non-infectious diarrhea.
# Relieves bronchitis and asthma.
# Clears up Candida yeast infections.
# Regulates the appetite and reduces fat.
# Aids with stress and insomnia.
# Improves eyesight, cataracts and floaters.
# Relieves headaches including migraines.
# Helps reduces the alcoholic's craving for alcohol.
# Clears acne, psoriasis and other skin problems.
# Thickens hair and strengthens fingernails.


I am giving the tea a try, and will report the health benefits as I experience them! As it stands now...it sure tastes good :)