|
What to do with a brew that has
gotten a bit too sour ? |
|
STRAINING. Straining
removes a percentage of mostly yeasts and some of the bacteria
and thins out the taste. This removes some of the bitterness.
Strain through
layers of cheesecloth. The more layers the greater the degree of
reduction. |
|
A slightly
sour Kombucha Tea may benefit from Refrigeration for 2-3 weeks.
(cold stabilization or chill proofing). Fill the bottle to the top
and do not leave any air space. This is a good method of smoothing
out an slightly overly acidic kombucha mushroom tea. A
portion of the tartaric acid will precipitate out as crystals.
Adding
Bentonite Clay or other fining agents will also assist this
process and help clarify the kombucha tea as well as add valuable
minerals. |
|
Oaking With
Chips or
Oak Spirals helps refine Kombucha Mushroom Tea that possess more
of a "bite." Use about ¾ ounce (20 grams) per gallon, or about 1-2
inches of the Oak Spiral. If using chips then a bag is necessary.
Place the chips in a
cloth bag with a couple of marbles and tie it off with string.
Sink this in boiling water for about five minutes. This removes any
harsh tannins from the wood and sterilizes it and the marbles. Then
remove the bag, allow it to drip drain long enough for it to cool
down enough to handle, and then add the bag to the kombucha. Oak may
be added during the fermentation process or after during a
Second Stage Ferment or during Refrigeration. We have found that
Oak adds flavor and mellows out kombucha very nicely. In a side by
side
test of our White Kombucha Mushroom, adding Oak to the active
ferment did not produce as high a ratio of gluconic acid as the
non-oak ferment – but still considerably higher than other kombucha
ferments. |
|
You may decide to allow
the ferment to continue to sour |
|
Put it in a jar - allowing about 1/2
of the space for air and it will continue to sour and mature. Keep
in a cool place. Room temperature is fine. It can sit there until
we're ready to use it. It becomes more stable as the yeast finish
off any fermentable sugar and go dormant. The bacteria (as long as
air, sugar, alcohol are present will continue to produce beneficial
acids. This
lowers the pH and the Kombucha
itself may last quite a long time. This may becomes our Kombucha
Starter Tea used to start another ferment, or to continue on to a
Second Ferment Stage, or as a marinate and other sweet
sour ideas listed below.
Adding Herbs, now or during additional
aging and
Bottling affords one the opportunity to create mellow and
healthy vinegars, personal health elixirs, or culinary delights.
The pH of kombucha should be between 2.0 and 4.0.The pH of the
marinade or vinegar (kombucha plus whatever you have added) must be
less than 4.6 pH. The pH of any preserved or stored food must be
between 2.0 and 4.6. [reference
Pickle Bill]
You can adjust the pH by adding
different
sugars, herbal
teas and spices or other additives like
calcium or gypsum. For food items sold at Farmers Markets, etc a
pH meter should be used.. |
|
The
following links provide information on home processing and home
canning
|
|
However if your intention is to use
the recipes right away then the pH is not critical simply follow the
Is the Food OK Rule. This is the time honored standard rule I use
for any food I'm about to eat 9or drink)
1, Does it look Good?
2. Does it smell Good?
3. Does it taste Good? |
|
Kombucha Tea and
Calcium
calcium
egg shells, and nuts are high in
calcium |
Here's a little trick that was
used by Robert Barefoot in his book Calcium factor and also from
Kombuchal - the 1927 German patented Kombucha.
Add just a pinch or two of calcium
carbonate (any calcium will do) to you slightly sour kombucha. The
calcium will neutralize some of the acids as well as create some
fizz. May be added just prior to drinking or when bottling. How much
o add depends on how much acid is in your ferment. As a guide a
semi-sweet nice kombucha tea may have 33 grams per liter (one ounce
per quart) of various acids. You don't want to over-do it, as these
acids are beneficial and the reason we're drinking kombucha. So
start slow. |
|
Kombucha Tea and Ginger |
Add Fizz and Sparkle to your
Kombucha Brew by adding a slice of ginger to fresh filtered and
decanted Kombucha. Bottle and Leave at room temperature for 2-3
days and then store in the fridge. |
|
PH
Balance
Rx
Kombucha Tea
and Molasses
|
This is a great formula for
balancing the
Acid/Alkaline ratio in the body and supplies Iron and Potassium.
This formula is vital for those with Osteoporosis, Arthritis, and
many other debilitating diseases.
1. One cup of well aged (sour)
kombucha tea
2. One cup of Organic Black Strap
Molasses.
Mix together and store in a glass
jar and refrigerate and the hungry kombucha will feed on the sugar
in the molasses. Careful of glass exploding if left in the heat.
recommended dosage: 2 to 4
tablespoons a day. |
|
Gargle |
Kombucha Tea Gargle for a sore
throat Kombucha Tea and Honey mixed together take before bedtime for
a restful sleep. Boil equal parts and inhale the steam for
headaches. Nagging cough or sore throat: Drains sinus.
|
|
For Really Sour
Kombucha |
|
Antiseptic |
I have used sour kombucha
liberally on my dog's hot spots even when he ha chewed himself raw.
Almost instantly it calmed him down and allowed the skin to heal
within a few days. Works on people too. Applied directly on burns
and scrapes. Baby mushroom work best as they can be left in place. |
|
Foot Soak |
As a Foot Soak Be
sure to well age the kombucha because if there is any sugar left it
dries sticky and itchy. Rinse well if there is any sugar left |
|
pet wash |
As a pet wash. Wet a wash cloth in
sour kombucha and wipe down your dog, cat or horse. Dirt comes right
off without leaving that wet-dig smell. |
|
softer skin |
For softer skin beat an egg white
until frothy and add a tablespoon each of honey and Kombucha Let dry
completely, then sponge off with cool water.
Itchy Skin ? try Kombucha Vinegar
instead of Soap simply rub onto skin and forego the irritation of
soap |
|
pimples |
on a cotton ball on your face
every night helps prevent pimples and improves skin tone. First wash
face thoroughly. Then rinse well with warm water to open pores)
apply kombucha, wait a few minutes, hen rinse with cool water to
close pores. |
|
As a Douche |
dilute well aged
kombucha at least half with water, more water if there is
discomfort. Use at room temperature. |
|
soothing bath |
For a soothing bath. Combine a cup
Kombucha Tea and a small handful of sage, allow to sit for awhile
and add to the bath. |
|
Hair Rinse |
leaves a fresh vibrant feeling.
Shampoo, Kombucha, Rinse. Kombucha Tea in the final rinse takes the
fizz out of a new permanent and to revive an old one.
|
|
Kombucha Cream |
Blend with Aloe Vera ,
skin cream and or with a Vitamins Mineral supplement & Vitamin E.
Certain natural oils like glycerin will (over time) be broken down
by the kombucha as the SCOBY feeds on the natural sugars present.
May even form a mushroom in your jar!
Suggested Use: For
rough or irritated skin, to soften skin, use daily apply liberally
and wipe off. Not necessary to rinse but recommended when using the
first time. As a Hair Rinse after washing hair apply to wet hair,
leave on for a few minutes rinse off. |
|
flowers |
Add a few ounces into a vase
holding fresh flowers and the flowers actually seem to perk up.
|
|
compost |
pour blended KOMBUCHA (with other
compost items) around and under flowers and plants Kombucha
Compost works very fast. good for acid loving plants like:
rhododendrons, azaleas, summer sweet, camellias, acers, pieris,
avocado trees, gardenias, hibiscus, tomatoes, peppers ... to many
it seems Kombucha has saved ailing plants and trees with a well
placed culture. Keeps slugs and snails at bay - seems they won�t
cross the KOMBUCHA Snail barrier! |
|
Food Ideas |
|
oaking
mellow and mature your
Sour Kombucha Tea.
Strain well and
consider adding
Herbs & Spices to create a personal healthy vinegar |
Sour Kombucha will
benefit by aging with
oak. This process is an important step in maturing fine wine and
the finest vinegar. First clarify your kombucha. Siphon or draw off
only the top clear portion of the kombucha, leaving the brown sludge
behind. (give the brown sludge (yeasts) to your plants or use in
baking) Strain through several layers of cheesecloth. You can also
use
Bentonite Clay to add health benefits as well as clarifying your
kombucha. Oak will mellow and mature. An
Oak Cask is excellent for this, or one may simply add some
oak spirals which is simply, quick and inexpensive method to
greatly improve the flavor. |
|
marinating |
marinating chicken, shrimp, beef
or pork. Use as you would vinegar. |
|
sprouts |
Soak sprouts with
Kombucha instead of water, When sprouted cut up bits of fresh
Kombucha and toss together with peanuts and cashews.
Take along your
Kombucha Sprouts to a Dinner Party.
Never Be political
Correct !! |
|
Tempura
Batter Fry |
Dip chunks of Fish and vegetables
into two cups of Kombucha and then into a batter made up of equal
parts flour and cornmeal, salt and pepper, and a twig or two of
dill and fry in olive oil till golden brown. Serve with Sparkling
Kombucha |
|
Kombucha Marinate |
1 cup Kombucha Tea
1 cup Soy Sauce
1 tablespoon fresh
grated ginger
4 to 6 cloves of
chopped garlic
1 small onion
Mix the ingredients together and
marinate. Keep refrigerated. Use within a few days
Use spices and herbs of your
choice. refer to our section on
adding herbs for more ideas. |
|
for kombucha crunchy pickles: |
use smaller cucumbers.
add a little fresh onion slices
add a hunk of horseradish root
top the cucumbers with folded horseradish leaves or raspberry leaves
|
|
KOMBUCHA Salad dressing |
Start with some zesty
vinegary KOMBUCHA Brew and to your delight add a clove of Garlic,
bright red hot pepper, some oregano, sage, fresh ginger. Olive or
Sesame oil. For a creamier texture add mayo.
One favorite vinaigrette is a
zesty KOMBUCHA with Tarragon |
|
Kombucha DRESSING
|
2 ounces Aged
Kombucha Brew
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp freshly
squeezed lemon juice
2 cloves fresh
garlic, minced
1 pinch favorite
seasoning
1 tsp of honey
|
|
Grilled Kombucha Marinated Salmon
|
1
cup Kombucha Tea
1
cup Soy Sauce
1
tablespoon fresh grated ginger
4
to 6 cloves of chopped garlic
1
small onion
Mix
the ingredients together and marinate fillets in the
refrigerator overnight Grill over hot coals and serve with lemon
and orange slices over wild
rice.
|
|
Kombucha
Banana Strawberry Smoothie
|
10
ounces orange juice
4
ounces Kombucha tea.
One
piece of fresh Kombucha colony (sized to palate)
5-6
large fresh strawberries
1-2
large banana
Blend
all ingredients at high speed in your blender until smooth
|
|
more ideas |
Mix with fresh
strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, artichokes, for a cool side
salad
Green Kombucha take
fresh green tomatoes, bell peppers, chilies, cucumbers and cover
with Kombucha |
|
KOMBUCHA
Dog Biscuits
|
2 cups whole wheat
flour
1/2 cup corn meal
2 tsp vegetable oil
1 teaspoon
sea salt
1
egg
3/4 cup Kombucha Tea
add vitamins - minerals - herbs
(fresh ground flax seed, or flax seed oil, or similar oil good for
the skin and hair)
mix together and shape into doggie
bones, add more flour if necessary. Use a fork to put air holes.
Bake for 1/2 hour at 350F |
|
Dogs and cats
and Tumors |
In their
book "Kombucha Tea for your Health and Healing", Alick and Mari
Bartholomew state ...
"Several people have
reported to us how their elderly Cats and Dogs have shown a
significant improvement in health and vitality after being given
Kombucha. Skin has improved and coats have become glossy, in
addition to brighter eyes. Other senses had improved with an overall
increase in energy.
TUMORS
We were told of a Cat 15 years old
who had a tumor, and was given 1 teaspoon of Kombucha tea in its
water every day. Its energy improved to the point of being quite
Kittenish, and its bowel movements returned to normal." |
|
KOMBUCHA TEA TAFFY
|
leave Kombucha Tea in
a loosely covered bowl and as the liquid evaporates the Kombucha Tea
turns to taffy.
- try adding herbs and spices for
candy or herbal drops. |
|
What about the
Mushroom itself .... |
|
The mushroom itself is cellulose,
healthy and edible and very tough. I remember reading that
the Russians used to use the mushroom to make shoe leather during
the war. |
|
Burns
and scrapes |
apply mushroom directly |
|
the
young thin ones hold to the contour of the body |
|
Morgellons
disease |
one person reported
success |
|
sliced |
Slice or chop and give small
pieces directly to dogs, horses |
|
Slice paper thin and prepared like
Calamari. similar to tofu, cut up sautéed with veggies and sauce.
Add to Soups and Stews. |
|
Sliced Kombucha Mushroom with Hot
Peppers and Kombucha Tea - Sizzling |
|
Blended |
caution with placing the mushrooms
in a blender. You need liquid to avoid burning out your motor. |
|
Blend a Kombucha Mushroom with 2
gherkins, Load lots of Kombucha Vinegar over french fries, and
arrange neatly in a small dish, slice of lemon and lime to garnish
and voila!, Gherkin Pomme Fritters a La Kombucha.
|
|
Kombucha Banana
Strawberry Smoothie
10 ounces orange juice
4 ounces Kombucha tea.
One piece of fresh
Kombucha colony (sized to palate)
5-6 large fresh strawberries
1-2 large banana
Blend all ingredients at high
speed in your blender until smooth, |
|
and the Mushroom
itself is edible |
|
Kombucha is a natural cellulite product.
|
 |
Dried Kombucha also make a fun and
healthier chew toy for furry friends |
|
Kombucha Drum Skin
& Leather-Like Stuff |
Use the souring kombucha to make a
large mushroom and to make a drum skim or other artwork. Add a bit
of sugar and tea mix (up to 50%) and place in a large container the
size larger than you wish to create. see section below on drying
mushrooms. |
|
see also How to make make Kombucha Extract, and the famous D1 Drops |
|
have a favorite recipe let us know
and we will list it here as well as your comments and suggestions
email:
eddy@HappyHerbalist.com |
|
presented by
www.HappyHerbalist.com
Ed Kasper L.Ac,
Acupuncturist & Herbalist
417 Laurent
St. Santa Cruz, CA 95060
toll free 1-888-425-8827 local
831-425-8801
to
order Kombucha starter kits
Our
liquid extracts are the most potent form of a botanical elixir.
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Herbalist’s Pharmacy features fresh-made Remedies Designed Exclusively
For You
|
|
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LAc www.HappyHerbalist.com |
