Kombucha probiotic tea is a fermented beverage that has gained popularity in recent years due to its potential health benefits. This fizzy drink, made from sweetened tea and a kombucha SCOBY (symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast), is known for its tangy flavor and refreshing taste.

More than just a tasty drink, kombucha tea is packed with beneficial effects, including supporting gut health, boosting your immune system, and providing essential nutrients like vitamin C, B vitamins, and amino acids.

When you make kombucha at home, you control the ingredients, sugar content, and fermentation process, ensuring that you’re getting a high-quality, homemade brew without the extra cost of store-bought kombucha. If you’re ready to enjoy the benefits of this fermented tea, follow this guide to brew your own kombucha at home.

Ruby Ann and I love flavoring our kombucha with various fruit juices and additives. We hope you get to make your own kombucha soon!

Please let us know if you have any questions in the comments section below.

Let’s get to brewing!!!

Why You Will Love This Kombucha Probiotic Tea Recipe

Supports Gut Health: Kombucha tea contains good bacteria, also known as probiotics, which help maintain a healthy gut microbiome by crowding out bad bacteria. This balance is crucial for digestion and overall health.

Boosts Your Immune System: Rich in vitamin C and other nutrients, kombucha can help strengthen your immune system, making it easier to fight off infections and illnesses.

Offers Potential Health Benefits: In recent years, scientific evidence from human studies and animal models, including research on Caenorhabditis elegans (a model organism), has suggested that kombucha might help with conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and oxidative stress, though more research is needed to confirm these potential benefits.

Reduces Waste and Saves Money: Making your own kombucha helps reduce food waste, as you can use small amounts of leftover tea and sugar to create a whole new batch of this fermented beverage. Plus, homemade brews are more cost-effective than buying commercial products at the grocery store.

Customizable Flavors: After the first step of fermentation, you can add fruit juice or fresh fruit to create a variety of flavors in your bottles of kombucha, catering to your personal taste preferences.

Tips for Making Kombucha Probiotic Tea

Taste Frequently: Begin tasting your kombucha around day 7. The fermentation process can vary based on the environment, so tasting helps you achieve the desired flavor and ensure the ph level is just right.

Use Room-Temperature Ingredients: For the best fermentation process, ensure all your ingredients, especially the tea and starter tea, are at room temperature before starting.

Start with Clean Equipment: Always use clean jars, utensils, and bottles to prevent contamination and ensure a healthy fermentation. Bad bacteria can cause health problems and affect the taste of your kombucha.

Choose the Right Tea: Black tea and green tea are the best choices for making kombucha. They provide the necessary nutrients for the kombucha SCOBY and promote the production of beneficial organic acids, like acetic acid.

Monitor the Temperature: Store your fermenting kombucha in a warm, dark place with a stable temperature between 75°F and 85°F. This environment supports the growth of lactic acid bacteria, saccharomyces cerevisiae (a type of yeast), and other good bacteria, which contribute to the fermentation process and the fizzy drink’s carbonation.

FAQ on Kombucha Probiotic Tea

What is a SCOBY, and why is it important?

A SCOBY, or symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast, is crucial for making kombucha. It drives the fermentation process, converting sweetened tea into kombucha tea rich in probiotics, organic acids, and other beneficial compounds. The SCOBY also produces carbon dioxide, which gives kombucha its signature fizz.

How long does kombucha take to ferment?

Kombucha typically ferments in 7-10 days. The exact time depends on the temperature of your environment and your taste preference. Warmer temperatures speed up the fermentation process and enhance the potential health benefits.

Can I use flavored tea or herbal tea for brewing kombucha?

It’s best to use black or green tea for brewing kombucha. Herbal teas often lack the necessary nutrients for the SCOBY to thrive and may affect the end result, including the sugar content and ph level.

How much kombucha should I drink daily?

Start with a small amount, like 4 ounces, and gradually increase as your body adjusts. Drinking too much kombucha at once can lead to digestive discomfort due to its high levels of probiotics and organic acids.

Can I store kombucha in plastic bottles?

Glass bottles are the best way to store kombucha. Plastic can interact with the acids in kombucha, affecting the taste and potentially harming your health. Glass also helps maintain the fizzy drink’s carbonation.

What is kombucha?

Kombucha is a fermented tea beverage that is made by adding a SCOBY (symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast) to sweetened tea and allowing it to ferment for a period of time.

What are the health benefits of drinking kombucha?

Kombucha is believed to have a number of health benefits, including improved digestion, increased energy, and a boost to the immune system. It also contains antioxidants and probiotics, which can help to support overall health and well-being.

This blog post is for educational purposes only and does not aim to diagnose, treat or cure any disease. The potential health benefits of kombucha have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration, and individuals should not use it as a replacement for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this blog post.

Tools you may need

• Large glass jar: A gallon-size jar is perfect for fermenting kombucha and allowing the SCOBY to grow.
• Cheesecloth or coffee filter: Covers the jar, allowing air to circulate while keeping contaminants out.
• Rubber band: Secures the cheesecloth or coffee filter in place, ensuring no bad bacteria or bugs get into the jar.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Measuring your ingredients for correct amounts for this recipe.
• Pan with lid: To brew your tea in.

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Ingredients you will need to make Kombucha Probiotic Tea

Black Tea or Green Tea: The base of the kombucha tea, providing the necessary nutrients for the fermentation process and contributing to the production of organic acids like acetic acid.

Sugar: Feeds the kombucha culture, allowing it to ferment and create beneficial acids, probiotics, and a small amount of alcohol.

Unflavored Kombucha: Starter tea that kickstarts the fermentation process and helps the new SCOBY develop.

SCOBY: The symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast that drives the fermentation, producing carbon dioxide, probiotics, and other bioactive compounds.

How To Make Kombucha Probiotic Tea

Step 1: Brew 1 gallon of black or green tea in a pot using 8 cups of water. Bring the water to a boil, then remove from heat and steep the tea bags for 5-10 minutes. Remove the tea bags.

Step 2: Add 1 cup of sugar to the hot tea and stir until fully dissolved. The sugar content is crucial for feeding the kombucha culture and ensuring the fermentation process occurs.

Step 3: Let the sweetened tea cool to room temperature before proceeding to the next step. Room temperature ingredients prevent the SCOBY from getting damaged.

Step 4: Pour the cooled tea into a large glass jar. Add 2 cups of unflavored kombucha (starter tea) to the jar to help kickstart the fermentation process.

Step 5: Fill the jar with filtered water, leaving enough headspace for the SCOBY. Stir the mixture gently to combine.

Step 6: Carefully place the SCOBY on top of the tea mixture. Cover the jar with cheesecloth or a coffee filter, secured with a rubber band, to allow air circulation while keeping contaminants out.

Step 7: Store the jar in a warm, dark place for 7-10 days. Taste the kombucha starting on day 7 to check for your desired level of fermentation and ensure the ph level is just right.

Step 8: Once the kombucha has reached the desired taste, remove the SCOBY and 2 cups of the finished kombucha for future batches.

Step 9: Use a funnel to transfer the remaining kombucha into glass bottles. Store the bottles in the refrigerator or proceed with a second ferment for additional carbonation.

Enjoy your Kombucha Probiotic Tea!

The Health Benefits of Kombucha Probiotic Tea

Kombucha tea has been consumed for centuries, but its potential health benefits have gained more attention in recent years. This fermented beverage is rich in probiotics, organic acids, vitamins, and amino acids, which contribute to its health-boosting properties.

Gut Health and Digestion

The probiotics in kombucha, including lactic acid bacteria and saccharomyces cerevisiae, promote gut health by increasing the population of good bacteria in the gut microbiome. This helps improve digestion, reduce symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, and maintain overall gut health. Additionally, the acetic acid produced during fermentation helps balance the ph level in the stomach, aiding digestion.

Immune System Support

Kombucha tea contains vitamin C, B vitamins, and other bioactive compounds that support the immune system. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect the body against free radicals, which can cause oxidative stress and contribute to health problems. The probiotics in kombucha also play a role in immune function by supporting the gut, which is closely linked to immune health.

Potential Benefits for Chronic Conditions

While more human studies are needed to confirm kombucha’s effects, animal studies have shown promising results in various areas. For example, research on animal models, including Caenorhabditis elegans, suggests that kombucha may help reduce oxidative stress, which is linked to chronic conditions like heart disease and cancer. Some studies have also explored the potential benefits of kombucha for managing blood sugar levels, thanks to its effect on insulin sensitivity.

Caution with Kombucha Probiotic Tea Consumption

Despite its potential health benefits, kombucha should be consumed in moderation. Drinking too much kombucha can lead to side effects, such as digestive discomfort or allergic reactions, especially in those with sensitive stomachs or compromised immune systems. Additionally, kombucha’s high acidity may pose a risk for individuals with lactic acidosis or other acid-related health conditions. It’s always a good idea to start with small amounts and consult with a healthcare professional if you have any concerns.

Storage Ideas for Kombucha Probiotic Tea

• Refrigerator Storage: Store finished kombucha in the refrigerator to slow down the fermentation process and maintain its flavor.
• Second Ferment: Leave bottled kombucha at room temperature for 2-3 days to build carbonation before refrigerating.
• SCOBY Storage: Store the SCOBY and 2 cups of kombucha in an airtight container at room temperature for your next batch.
• Filtered Water: Always use filtered water when making kombucha to avoid chlorine and other chemicals that can harm the fermentation process.

For even more fermenting goodness, explore our favorite ferment recipes below;

• Water Kefir Fermented Probiotic Drink (how to make)
• NO Fail Sourdough Starter (how to make + video)
• Make Milk Kefir Using Milk Kefir Grains (how to make)
• Easy Homemade Sauerkraut Recipe (how to make +video)
• Homemade Yogurt Step-By-Step Recipe

We hope you enjoy this Kombucha Probiotic Tea as much as we do. If you make this recipe, please tag us @themoderndaycottage on Instagram and leave a comment below.

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Happy Fermenting!