If you spot a glass jar with a slippery jelly-like substance on someone’s windowsill, know that it’s kombucha, also known as tea fungus, a beverage that has been cherished by humanity for millennia. Its origins trace back to Tibet, where the remarkable healing properties of this ancient concoction were first discovered. In this article, we’ll explore how to cultivate this unique culture at home, the benefits it offers to modern individuals, and who should avoid it.
What Can Tea Fungus Do?
The healing properties of kombucha stem from the nature of the slime floating in its nutrient-rich liquid. The film that forms on the surface of sweet tea or juice is a blend of bacteria and yeast. Kombucha gets its name from its ability to create a nourishing environment for these microorganisms. During a symbiotic reaction in a sealed container, the spores actively spread, filling the available space. Thanks to the yeast, sugar ferments, producing alcohol. Then, under the influence of bacteria, the alcohol is oxidized into acetic acid. The result is a tangy, sweet, carbonated drink with an alcohol content similar to that of kvass. The health benefits of this beverage, combined with the simplicity of cultivating its ingredients, have allowed kombucha to gain popularity rapidly.
Benefits of Tea Fungus
Kombucha is beneficial for people of all ages, helping to strengthen the immune system. The brew contains valuable organic acids: acetic, malic, citric, lactic, and gluconic. It is a concentrated source of vitamins C, B, and PP. Kombucha also contains enzymes that improve stomach function, along with minerals and antibiotic substances that have no side effects.
This natural elixir boosts the body’s defenses, regulates metabolism, detoxifies the liver, stomach, and gastrointestinal tract. It can help eliminate toxins and salts that accumulate in the joints, relieve headaches, combat heartburn, and normalize blood sugar levels.
Treatment with Tea Fungus
This “potion” can restore health after a stroke and even assist in cases of limb paralysis, where relearning movement and sensation is necessary. This homemade remedy can help regain sensitivity and promote recovery.
Kombucha possesses anti-inflammatory and antibiotic properties, lowers blood pressure, and reduces cholesterol levels. It is effective in treating migraines, kidney, liver, and bladder diseases. Additionally, it is beneficial for mental fatigue, providing a calming effect. It’s best to drink it a few hours before or after meals.
Using Kombucha for Weight Loss
Kombucha accelerates metabolism and aids digestion. Drink a glass of mushroom tea before meals or 30-40 minutes after eating. On fasting days, enjoy this tea with honey or milk.
If the tea becomes too sour, remove the fungus, rinse it, and transfer it to a separate jar, covering it with fresh sweetened tea. The key is to keep the kombucha out of direct light and store it in a dark place. Also, don’t fill the jar to the brim; otherwise, the fungus won’t get enough oxygen and may dry out.
Kombucha – Contraindications
Due to its high sugar content, this natural product is not recommended for people with diabetes or those who are overweight. There is also a risk of allergic reactions to the drink’s components. Another contraindication is high stomach acidity.
How to Grow Kombucha?
If possible, obtain a piece of an existing kombucha culture from someone who is already cultivating it; this will speed up the process. However, if you don’t know anyone with kombucha, you can prepare the brew yourself. Start with cooled black tea, straining it thoroughly to ensure no tea leaves remain in the container. Otherwise, they may harm the delicate fungus. Tea with floral additives and flavorings is also unsuitable for this sensitive culture.
Method 1
For every cup of tea, use an equal amount or slightly less of natural apple cider vinegar. Mix the tea with the vinegar and pour it into a jar. Leave it in a warm, dark place for two weeks. After 14-15 days, you’ll see a thin film of young fungus forming on the surface of the brew, which will begin to grow rapidly. Be generous with sugar and tea, but avoid overly dark tea, as it may cause heartburn. The tea should maintain a light color, which is achieved by combining it with vinegar. The taste of the brew should resemble that of birch sap.
Method 2
Leave sweetened tea in a warm place for a few days. When an oily film forms on the surface, carefully remove it and place it in warm sweet tea (a three-liter jar works well). Keep the “fungus” in a warm spot, away from sunlight. In about a month to a month and a half, the kombucha will grow. Remove it, dip it in apple cider vinegar, and then place it back into freshly prepared sweet tea at room temperature. From then on, the fungus will be ready to provide you with a healing drink. Every 2-3 weeks, rinse it under warm running water and clean the jar. Make sure the sugar is dissolved before pouring in the tea. Never sprinkle sugar directly onto the fungus, as this can cause burns and kill it. You can substitute sugar with honey, but avoid artificial sweeteners.
Take care of your kombucha, and it will take care of you.