What's in Kombucha?
Ways to Flavor Your Kombucha
Keep in mind that kombucha without anything added to it can have a pungent flavor. For this reason, many people prefer adding something to it to flavor it. This can be anything from fruit juice like lemons or oranges, to actual pieces of fruit. You can also try honey, cinnamon sticks, herbs, seasonings, and other flavors of tea.
Fruit is a Delicious Ingredient
This is a great option because not only are you getting more flavor from the fruit, you'll be getting more nutrients too. There are some different ways to add fruit.
The first way is just to add the juice of your fruit to the tea. You can use a juicer for your fruit, or simply juice the lemon, grapefruit, or orange right into the tea. If you use a fruit without a lot of juice, like strawberries, using a juicer first can be helpful. Another way that fruit helps you to flavor the Kombucha is by using the actual fruit. You can take your fruit and puree it first, add little-chopped pieces, or even mash it, then stir it in. After you can take the fruit out and you'll have a delicious flavored Kombucha.
Add Some Herbs and Spices
Another way to get a new blend of flavors with your Kombucha tea is to add some herbs and spices. You can add these along with your fruit or fruit juice to the batch. Or, if you like, you can go with these herbs on their own.
Some other herbs and spices that work really well in Kombucha are:
- Orange and Lemon Zest
- Basil
- Mint
- Rosemary
- Fennel Seed
- Crushed Cinnamon Sticks
- Fresh Ginger
Different Types of Tea
You can also adjust the flavor of your Kombucha by starting with a different tea. You might use green or black tea for the majority of the Kombucha, but then add some flavored tea to kick it up a bit. Keep trying new blends of flavors until you find one that you love.
Kombucha Tea Recipes to get you started:
Kombucha Tea Recipes
Basic Kombucha Base
You'll need just a few items if you just want to make a basic Kombucha tea. If you don't want to gather them yourself, keep in mind, most of these items are available in kombucha kits. Otherwise, you'll need at least 2-quart sized jars. Also, you will need cheesecloth, a rubber band to secure the cheesecloth to the top of the jar, and a wooden spoon.
What's in Kombucha? For the Kombucha tea base you'll need:
Combine approximately 4 quarts hot water and 1 cup sugar in the jar. Add the 8 tea bags and allow it to steep. Let the mix cool. Add the SCOBY and about 3 Tbs of vinegar. Now let it ferment for three to 30 days in a well-ventilated room. The kombucha culture is alive and needs oxygen.
Ginger Kombucha Tea
For ginger Kombucha all you'll need is the basic Kombucha tea mix, fresh ginger, and some turmeric powder.
Make the basic kombucha base. After the kombucha has fermented, before you add it to the bottles you'll be using… Drain off the kombucha into the bottles.
Add 3/4 tablespoon of fresh ginger and a pinch of turmeric powder. Mix well and place in the fridge to cool.
Chia Seed Kombucha Tea
You may already know the benefits of adding chia seed to your diet, especially if you're working on weight loss. You can make a powerful Kombucha with this superfood. After the fermentation process, drain the tea and begin pouring it into your bottles. Add ½ cup of rehydrated chia seeds to each bottle. You can now get the power of the superfood along with the power of the bacteria in the kombucha.
Conclusion
Each kombucha recipe starts with a base that's very similar. You can use that base of tea, water, and yeast and build on that with your own ideas and recipes.
Don't be disappointed if you don't like the new recipes you create. I encourage you to keep trying and find your own special recipes that you love. It's worth the effort!
Now that you know what's in Kombucha, have fun and let me know if you have questions or just leave me a comment in the space below.
I tried drinking kombucha a few years ago, but at that time I had no idea what it was and didn’t know of its health benefits. To be honest the taste didn’t excite me at all haha, but I also think it was unflavoured.
Since early last year, I have been focusing on keeping a healthy gut, which of course includes probiotics. I do eat some fermented stuff on a regular basis, but I haven’t incorporated Kombucha yet. Reading your post I realize how easy it is, and I think will try it out. The ginger kombucha tea sounds really delicious!
Hi Marcus, I suggest trying the kombucha again. I didn’t like it so much the first time I tried it either… But try making a pineapple, pear version. SO GOOD! Thanks for connecting!
Hi, I loved all your different recipes on how to make my Kombucha taste better. I have been making my own Kombucha now for about 2 years and love it. I will try your “add tea recipe” I usually just add fruit and/or herbs. But I don’t mind drinking it by itself on some occasions. By the way, my dentist told me to drink it with a straw not to damage my tooth enamel, I would tell it to everyone since it can be a bit sour.
Thanks for connecting and for the tip Gabby! What combination of fruits and herbs do you like best? I’m always curious about other people’s favorite combinations… 🙂
Hey my name is Ryan and I like your page.
You have a lot of graphics that stick out and your headings make your page a lot easier to read. What was your motivation for making your page look like this?
I have never heard of Kombucha before but I am interested in seeing the effects that it has on your body. What is your niche? Are you trying to appeal to people who are trying to lose weight?
Hey Ryan, Thanks for asking! 🙂 I just like to make things super fun and easy so hence the color headings and graphics. I’m happy you like it.
I’m surprised you’ve not heard of Kombucha yet but so happy I could be the first. Now you’ll start seeing it everywhere (you know how that is?) and you’ll remember me. 🙂 I absolutely love it and have some every day. I have been buying it at the local market, but it’s expensive. About $5/ bottle. So recently I started brewing my own and am loving it.
Niche? Yes, those that want to live a healthier more natural life – chemical free – and become less dependant on conventional medicine. Thanks for taking the time to comment. I really like hearing from you!
Hello Jackie,
Would you recommending someone with Ulcerative colitis consume Kombucha? I want to include more healthy diet choices that will build up my digestive track without irritating it and makes it worse. Man those weeks get really tough. Also, which is your favorite recipe? And what have you found not to work?
Kombucha is beneficial to the digestive tract for anyone suffering from Ulcerative colitis. Every digestive tract is different, but you can use it to reduce uncomfortable symptoms that come with the flares. When you notice the first sign of digestive upset, take just a few sips of kombucha and you should start to feel relief almost immediately (generally speaking).
My favorite fruit combo is pear/pineapple. I’m totally addicted.
The biggest mistake people make is using a poor quality SCOBY!
Thanks for connecting!