Let's face it. Being a mum is tough - it’s hard to really understand this until you get to be one. It can be stressful and challenging, especially if you're balancing a career at the same time. This is why it’s essential to keep your health in check to ensure that you have the strength and energy to keep up with everything, including your little monsters.
Fortunately, there is one quick and delicious way to keep your body running optimally: Kombucha!
Kombucha, also touted as a "health elixir," is one of the healthiest probiotic beverages that is quickly gaining popularity among the health-conscious. It is a fermented tea drink that is filled with probiotics, antioxidants, and vitamins that work together to combat signs of ageing & boost the immune system. At the WMBT HQ, we mums swear by this delicious, natural drink. We also love that it helps detoxify the body by draining unwanted toxins!
Each glass of kombucha comes with live cultures that promote good gut health, healthy organic acids that help regulate blood sugar and cholesterol, and antioxidants to help fight free radicals.
What Does Kombucha Taste Like?
Before you clink your glasses and say “bottoms up,” we’ll admit downing pure kombucha is no easy feat. It has an acquired taste that can give you a kick! Due to the fermentation process, kombucha has a distinct flavour that is somewhat similar to apple cider vinegar, which is why it can be challenging for some people to drink. When it comes to kombucha, you can also choose commercially produced ones that have added flavours, sugars, and fruit juices to lessen the unique acidic notes.
Since it sits in an acidic range, one drawback is that it can stain teeth. But if you want to sip its original goodness, one tip that we highly recommend is that you drink it using a reusable straw like the fun Bendie Straws from WMBT! These family-friendly, silicone-based straws are perfect for little biters and adults looking for a much safer and environmentally-friendly alternative to plastic and metal straws.
Want To Make Your Own Kombucha At Home?
While you can easily get ready-made kombucha from the nearest groceries, nothing beats concocting your own batch of these fizzy drinks. After all, you’ll never know if the ready-made ones sneaked in artificial sugar and colouring, right? That’ll defeat the whole idea of looking for a better-for-you beverage option.
So if you are ready to make your own version of this refreshment, we’ve got the perfect recipe for you to try: theBoochy Mama.
And guess what, mums, if you like this recipe, you will enjoy the other nine included in WMBT’s soon-to-be-released booklet, "Drinks for Mum". There you’ll find a range of recipes – from hearty hot chocolate to a power smoothie to an ice-cold gin and tonic. It’s always a great idea to have season-spanning, all-occasion beverages on standby! So be sure to check that one out, too.
Even though the fermentation time is long, Boochy Mama is easy to prepare and takes just five ingredients (including the SCOBY, or the organic kombucha starter culture). And if you want to take it up a notch and whip up different flavours, we rounded up eight seriously refreshing ones that got us so obsessed!
- Lemon-Ginger Kombucha: Add in lemon juice, sliced ginger, and honey for a glorious citrusy blend.
- Blueberry Kombucha: Add some zing to your favourite kombucha drink by throwing in some lemon zest, basil, and fresh or frozen blueberries for that fruity sweetness.
- Minty Lime Kombucha: Clone the epic goodness of a mojito by brewing with some fresh mint leaves, lime juice, and brown sugar.
- Pumpkin Spice Kombucha: Make a rich, fall-themed glass for your family by adding pumpkin puree, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and a dash of vanilla & freshly grated ginger.
- Pineapple Chia Seed Kombucha: Add a fun texture and boost the drink’s nutritional profile by stirring in some hydrated chia seeds along with pineapple juice and fresh basil.
- Berry Banana Kombucha: Enjoy carbonated greatness by adding banana puree and berries for a classic taste.
- Turmeric Kombucha: Create an even healthier blend by supercharging your regular kombucha with ground turmeric, cinnamon, and honey.
- Mango Lime Kombucha: Create an absolutely-to-die-for blend by adding chunks of mangoes and freshly squeezed lime.
Because you’ve taken the time and care to prepare this homemade goodness, it makes a great gift for your friends and family. And, for you entrepreneurial mums, your personalised version of the Boochy Mama is sure to be a bestseller.
So are you ready to fuel your morning and swap out your coffee with kombucha? If yes, get your fermentation bottles sparkly clean and follow this simple recipe below.
Makes 4 Bottles | Prep 10 minutes | Fermentation Time up to 26 days
Ingredients
- 3.5L (14 cups) filtered water
- 6 black tea bags
- 200 g (1 cup) rapadura sugar
- 1 organic kombucha starter culture with starter tea
- 340 g (2 cups) mixed berries, fresh or frozen
Method
In a saucepan, bring 500 ml (2 cups) of filtered water to a boil.
Remove from the heat, add tea bags, and allow to steep for 5-10 minutes.
Add sugar and stir to dissolve. Briefly return the pan to the heat if the sugar is taking too long to dissolve.
Add sweetened tea to a clean 5L jar.
Fill to the top with room temperature filtered water. This will help the tea to cool.
Use a kitchen thermometer to ensure that the tea is 25-30° C.
Add the starter tea culture and starter tea (1-2 cups) to the sweetened tea, then cover the jar tightly with a tea towel, held in place with a rubber band.
Place the jar in a warm area (between 25-30° C) for 7-21 days. On day 7, taste it and allow it to ferment longer, if too sweet. Check regularly until you have the desired taste.
Line up 4 (750 ml) air-tight bottles. If using frozen berries, allow them to defrost before squashing 85 g (½ cup) into each bottle.
Save 500 ml (2 cups) of homemade kombucha for the next batch, then pour the remaining liquid into the four bottles, leaving 4-5 cm space from the top.
Allow the bottles to rest for 3-5 days at a temperature of 25-30° C, opening the lids each day to release the pressure of the carbon dioxide.
Taste daily to check flavour and fizz. Once you are happy with the amount of flavour and fizz, transfer bottles to the fridge to cool before serving with your favourite We Might Be Tiny Bendie Straw.
PIN THIS RECIPE
