By Ujjainee Roy
July 5, 2024
You don't always have to go for overpriced kombucha whenever you want a fermented gut-friendly drink. In fact, there are plenty of fermented concoctions you can make at home which can be easily stored and consumed more than once. Let's find out.
Homemade kombucha involves fermenting sweetened tea with a SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture Of Bacteria and Yeast). After brewing and cooling the tea, the SCOBY and starter tea are added to a glass jar. It's covered with a cloth and left to ferment for 7-14 days, developing its characteristic tangy flavor and effervescence.
Milk kefir is made by fermenting milk with kefir grains, which are a combination of bacteria and yeast. The grains are added to milk in a glass jar, covered with a cloth, and left to ferment at room temperature for 12-48 hours. The fermented milk becomes thick and tangy, rich in probiotics that aid digestion.
Water kefir is a non-dairy alternative to milk kefir. It's made by fermenting sugar water with water kefir grains, which contain a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast. After fermenting for 24-48 hours, the resulting drink is naturally carbonated and mildly tangy, offering probiotic benefits similar to milk kefir.
Ginger beer is a fermented drink made from fresh ginger, sugar, water, and a ginger bug starter culture. The mixture is allowed to ferment for several days, developing a spicy and tangy flavor profile. Ginger beer is known for its digestive properties and refreshing taste.
Sauerkraut juice is the liquid that forms during the fermentation of sauerkraut, a fermented cabbage dish. Rich in probiotics and digestive enzymes, sauerkraut juice is consumed as a tonic to support gut health and aid digestion.
Coconut water kefir is made by fermenting coconut water with kefir grains. It's a dairy-free alternative to milk kefir, offering a refreshing and slightly tangy beverage. Coconut water kefir is packed with electrolytes, probiotics, and enzymes, making it beneficial for digestion and overall hydration.