As the demand for healthy soda replacements and fermented drinks continues to rise, many of us are turning to simple and natural brewing methods to create our own homemade fizzy concoctions.
Two popular soda replacements are Kombucha and ginger bug recipes (which we have been seeing EVERYWHERE on Instagram recently).
While both methods produce delicious and unique flavours, they have distinct differences in terms of ingredients, health benefits, and brewing processes.
In this article, we'll explore the benefits and differences between Kombucha and ginger bug brewing.
What is Kombucha?
Kombucha is a drink made simply by fermenting tea, which originated in China over 2,000 years ago.
It's made by adding a Symbiotic Culture Of Bacteria and Yeast (SCOBY) to black or green tea sweetened with cane sugar traditionally.
The SCOBY feeds on the sugars in the tea, producing a lightly fizzy, tangy drink rich in probiotics, antioxidants, and beneficial acids.
Kombucha has become very well known for its potential health benefits, including:
- Digestive aid: Probiotics in kombucha can help regulate gut bacteria and alleviate symptoms of IBS for some sufferers
- Immune system boost: Antioxidants and acids in Kombucha may help protect against infections and diseases
- Detoxification: Some studies claim that Kombucha can aid in the removal of toxins from the body
Making Kombucha at Home
To brew Kombucha at home, you'll need:
- SCOBY: You can purchase a SCOBY online or obtain one from a friend who already brews their own Kombucha (make sure to get plenty of high quality starter liquid with your SCOBY)
- Sweet tea: Use black or green tea, 12 grams loose with 120 grams of sugar per 2 Litres of water used for brewing
- Fermentation vessel: A large glass jar with a tap is ideal for Kombucha brewing. You'll need a breathable lid and a glass storage bottle too
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What is a Ginger Bug?
A ginger bug is a fermented mixture of ginger, sugar, and water that's used to create fizzy sodas.
Unlike Kombucha, a ginger bug doesn't require a SCOBY.
Instead, it relies on the natural fermentation process of wild yeast and bacteria present on the ginger and in the environment.
Ginger bugs are often used to make ginger ale, ginger beer, and other flavoured sodas using fruit juice of tea.
We are busy developing a selection of fun, delicious recipes for your ginger bug here!
Kombucha Vs. Ginger Bug Brewing
With both methods producing drinks that could contain gut loving probiotics, immune boosting antioxidants, and a range of vitamins and minerals, we feel spoilt for choice.
Here's a breakdown of some pros and cons of both methods:
- Maintenance: A ginger bug a little more high maintenance (more similar to sourdough where it needs regular feeds to keep your starter alive) whereas Kombucha can go up to 8 weeks without a refill
- Time to grow culture: Takes longer to grow a fully formed SCOBY than it does to restart a ginger bug starter. The fermentation of Kombucha is also slightly longer (7-10 days) Vs. a ginger bug (5-7 days) dependant on the temperature
- Exploding bottles: Depending on whether additional sugar has been added after bottling, both drinks have the potential risk of causing bottle explosions. If leaving your ferment to carbonate at room temp make sure to burp the bottles regularly, and store somewhere suitable (I find leaving them inside a plastic cool box, or outside quite effective)
- Easy to make: Both making Kombucha and using a ginger bug requires minimal equipment and no special ingredients
- Cost-effective: Both making Kombucha and using a ginger bug to make soda a cheap and accessible way to produce healthier drink options
- Customisable: You can experiment with an unlimited amount of flavours with both a Kombucha brew and with a ginger bug, think herbs, spices, fruits, vegetables ...
Making a Ginger Bug at Home
To create a ginger bug at home, you'll need:
- Ginger: Fresh, organic ginger root is essential for creating a ginger bug
- Sugar: Granulated sugar or honey can be used to feed the ginger bug
- Water: Use filtered or bottled water to avoid any impurities
- Fermentation vessel: A glass jar with a breathable lid is ideal
Whether you choose to brew Kombucha or a ginger bug, making homemade sodas is a fun, easy and very rewarding process that offers a range of health benefits and unique flavours.
Trust me, when you make your first soda, the pride and joy you'll feel will be so satisfying, and it will be even better when you show it off to your friends and family at the first summer BBQ.
Experiment with different ingredients and brewing methods to create your perfect fizzy drink.
Happy brewing!