You may have already heard by now about kombucha tea, the healthy drink that has seen a boost in popularity in the past few years and can be found bottled or on tap in grocery stores, cafes, saloons, or even in your own home. If you are not yet familiar with it then let me introduce it to you.
Kombucha is a drink made from tea (black or green), yeast, and sugar. The ingredients are mixed together and are set aside for at least a week. During this time the mix ferments and bacteria, acids, and a small amount of alcohol form.
The bacteria and acids form a film over the liquid called a SCOBY (symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast). This can be used to ferment more kombucha. To end the fermentation process, the SCOBY is removed. It can be stored for future use to ferment more kombucha.
There is so much to say about this popular drink and much that has been said. There are many claims on the internet about its health benefits, but not all of them are backed by scientific studies. In this article, you will find various interesting facts about kombucha, its origins, and its benefits, backed by its discovered health benefits.
Origins and History of Kombucha
The origins of Kombucha are uncertain. A German author named Frank Günther has conducted the most extensive research on kombucha and explains that although stories most often couple kombucha with East Asian cultures, most reports or allegations are simply anecdotal.
As such, the true origins of kombucha remain a mystery to this day.
The oldest origin story for kombucha dates back all the way to 414 BCE in Japan. It is said that a Korean doctor named Kombu brought the tea to Japan to aid Emperor Inkyo. This is also from where it is thought that the name initially originated.
The first mention of kombucha in the West is in the early 20th century in Russia, where it appeared as a result of the expansion of trade routes.
Science-Backed Health Benefits of Kombucha
A study on different types of kombucha proved some of its beneficial properties, such as:
- Anti-bacterial effects
- Antioxidant properties
- Anti-diabetic properties
- Cholesterol reduction
- Offers support to the immune system
- Stimulates the detoxification of the liver
Kombucha tea also contains various minerals, vitamins, and amino acids derived mainly from the tea used in its preparation. It contains:
- Potassium
- Manganese
- Fluoride
- Vitamins E, K, B
- Theanine amino acid
Also, during the fermentation process, various other chemical compounds form that have health benefits for the organism.
The time of fermentation and the type of tea influence the anti-radical properties of kombucha. It has been found that kombucha prepared from green tea is characterized by the highest antioxidant potential, reaching the highest value on the first day of fermentation. In the case of every type of kombucha, the amount of health-supporting compounds decreased with the increase in the time of fermentation.
Kombucha Can Be a Healthier Alternative to Beer
Both kombucha and beer come to life through a fermentation process so, in this sense, we can say that they are related. We can consider kombucha as a cousin of beer.
Commercial kombucha that can be found in grocery stores is labeled as non-alcoholic as it contains less than 0.5% alcohol. However, home-brewed kombucha can have alcohol concentrations of up to 3.5 to 4 %. It may not be enough to give you the buzz that a few beers do, but it is a perfect, healthier, refreshing replacement for beer on a hot, sunny day.
Kombucha Can be Used in Clothes Making
Perhaps the most interesting fact about kombucha is that it can be made into clothes. It may seem hard to believe, but it’s true.
Dried kombucha culture forms a textile called microbial cellulose that resembles leather and is 100% biodegradable. This material can be used to make clothing items such as:
- Jackets
- Shirts
- Shoes
- Handbags
Kombucha, the Mysterious, Delicious, Healthy Drink on the Rise
In the past few years, people have shown increased interest in this amazing drink and for good reasons, it is a truly refreshing drink with various health benefits and due to its low caloric index, you can enjoy it as much as you’d like without having to worry about putting on any extra weight.
Resources
Chemical Profile and Antioxidant Activity of the Kombucha Beverage Derived from White, Green, Black and Red Tea – May 2020 study on kombucha.
Kombucha Fabric – Intructables tutorial on kombucha fabric
A Coffee Lover’s Guide to Tea – INeedCoffee article.