Of The Day #11 - Object - Kombucha

Kombucha, colloquially known as Booch,  is a variety of fermented, lightly effervescent sweetened black or green tea drinks produced by fermenting tea using a "symbiotic 'colony' of bacteria and yeast" (SCOBY).

Historically, kombucha has been home-brewed or locally brewed, but in the late 1990s, commercially bottled kombucha became available in North American retail stores.

While there seems to be some disagreement, Kombucha has been promoted with claims that it can treat a wide variety of human illnesses, including AIDS, cancer, and diabetes, and that it provides other beneficial effects such as stimulation of the immune system, boosting the libido, and reversal of gray hair.

Kombucha culture, when dried, becomes a leather-like textile known as a microbial cellulose that can be molded onto forms to create seamless clothing. Using different broth mediums such as coffee, black tea, and green tea to grow the kombucha culture results in different textile colors, although the textile can also be dyed using plant-based dyes. Different growth mediums and dyes also change the textile's feel and texture^. The kombucha textile is similar to cellulose and is sustainable and compostable. In 2014, one designer debuted a clothing collection made entirely out of kombucha textile.

Thanks to Lily Cameron for gifting these two bottles - a raspberry and an organic green tea - Lily has a facebook group all about Kambucha in Sheffield - Sheffield Loves Kombucha!

Lily provides some useful tips on how to enjoy your booch best -

• Please always keep your Kombucha in the fridge - it’s naturally carbonated and things can get a bit too fizzy if it’s warm! (Seriously, it might EXPLODE!)
• If you’re new to the Booch you need to give your body time to adjust, so take it slowly. For the first week, try drinking one small glass per day. You can increase to 3 small glasses per day in the second week and after that you can have all the lovely Kombucha you like :)
• Most of the sugar in Kombucha is gobbled up by the beneficial yeasts & bacteria but if you’re diabetic or taking medication please do ask your doctor before drinking it
• Kombucha is a fermented product so may contain a tiny amount of alcohol. It’s minimal but if you’re allergic it’s probably best to avoid
• Keep metals away from your Kombucha as they can harm the good stuff
• If you notice “bits” in your Booch, don’t worry! Your Kombucha is a natural, living culture and the bits are just those lovely yeasts & bacteria. You can drink them or filter them out with a coffee filter or nylon sieve if you prefer.