AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. – What is all the hype about making kombucha? While this fermented drink is available at many retail locations, Alabama Cooperative Extension System experts say it can be less expensive and more convenient to make your favorite drink at home.
What is kombucha?
Kombucha is a bubbly drink, with both sweet and sour flavors, that has been around for thousands of years. The drink was first brewed in China. Its popularity then spread to Japan and Russia, eventually becoming popular in Europe in the early 20th century. Kombucha has become more popular in the United States during the last five years. The U.S. rise in popularity is because of the belief that the drink offers many health benefits. Many users believe the drink aids in gut health. Research to back this claim is ongoing, but other civilizations have believed in the health benefits of this drink for many centuries.
Angela Treadaway, an Alabama Extension food safety and quality regional agent, said from her own experience, kombucha with a symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY) is a good way to help balance the gut, increase energy and ease joint aches.
Kombucha is available at health food stores and at many larger grocery stores. Treadaway said it generally runs anywhere from $2.50 to $4 per 16-ounce bottle, which can be expensive if you drink it every day. She said it is a good replacement for sugary sodas that most people drink.
Make kombucha at home
The Alabama Extension food safety and quality team wants to help you make kombucha safely and correctly from the comfort of home. Join them for an online class Sept. 12 from 2 to 4 p.m.
This class will discuss finding a SCOBY and taking care of it. It will also highlight fermenting vessels and help viewers decide which types of sugar and tea to use. Registration for the event is available online, and there is a nonrefundable $5 registration fee. Visit www.aces.edu/go/3562 to register. Registered attendees will receive a recording of the presentation for viewing at home. Learn more about the event on the food safety team’s Facebook page. The online event and more information is available through that page.
“We are excited to offer this online class because anyone who is interested can attend,” Treadaway said. “This popular drink is not difficult to make if you have the right ingredients and follow the step-by-step process.”
More information
There is an upcoming Food Preservation Camp in Lincoln, Alabama on Aug. 29 and 30. Learn more about this upcoming camp and register online at www.aces.edu/go/preservationcamp23.
Contact the food safety and quality team with other questions, or check out their upcoming events on the Alabama Extension calendar at www.aces.edu to find one near you.
