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If you can make a cup of tea you can make Kombucha the folk over at Kombucha Brooklyn tell us, and they should know. The Brooklyn, NY based company are into kombucha in a big way. Starting out in 2009 the company have become something of an authority on kombucha even releasing a book on the drink, aptly entitled 'Kombucha!.
We have picked up on their hand built kombucha kits using organic and fair-trade ingredients. From basic starter home brew kit ($45) to home brew super kits ($70), they have pretty much got kombucha home brewing covered. A multitude of accessories can also be purchased from their website.
If you are thinking of doing some home brewing of the non alcoholic kind this could be just your cup of tea. See below to find out more.
Not sure what kombucha actually is?
Kombucha is essentially a probiotic tea with reported health benefits. See the video below for a simple explanation of the nutrient rich elixir and it's deep rooted Tibetan history.
How do you make it?
Tea, sugar, water and culture are your main ingredients.
Boil water, steep tea bags in hot water and add the starter culture when the tea is less than 115 degrees. Have a look at the video to see the steps in action.
This is probably a good time to introduce you to SCOBY (see image below) or the key ingredient in making kombucha, the culture. Not the most attractive looking ingredient, but SCOBY is your integral kombucha brewing buddy. It stands from Symbiotic Colony of Bacteria and Yeast. Rather like a mother dough, your SCOBY will need some TLC to survive.
Dennis van Zuijlekom/Flickr
If you like what you're hearing, take a look at the kombucha starter kit and you could brew up your very own litre of tea at home and invite your friends round for a 'brew'.
The kit comes in at $49.99 on Amazon
If you like the idea of fermented food and drinks the Nordic Lab are at the cutting edge of fermentation innovation.
