Making kombucha

Kombucha

To make kombucha,  black tea is fermented with a symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast, otherwise known as a SCOBY.  During the fermentation process, the yeast in the SCOBY breaks down the sugar in the tea and releases probiotic bacteria.  Kombucha becomes carbonated after fermentation, which is why the drink is fizzy.

Some of the claimed benefits of Kombucha- 

Gut health, Prevents Cancer, helps with infection risk, helps with mental health, heart disease, weight loss, liver health, and type 2 diabetes management

I love drinking and making Kombucha!!

Above I am making 4 gallons... I know I am crazy.  I am now down to making 2 gallons every 2 weeks or so.

recipe for 1 gallon :

 1 Cup Starter

1 Cup Sugar

1 Gallon water

8 Black Tea Bags 

5 Optional flavored tea bags to get your flavor

Boil the 1 gallon of water, add sugar. and 8 tea bags. Then once the black tea has been in the boiling water for at least 15 minutes I turn off the heat, pull out the black tea bags and add the flavored tea bags.  Then let it cool.  Once cooled, I add the tea to the 1 cup of starter in the gallon jar.  Add a dish towel over the jar. I let it sit for 7-10 days to ferment. 

Making 2 gallons here 

Every time you make kombucha you will “grow” another scoby on top of the kombucha.  You can share it with a friend, feed your chickens with it, save it with some tea and start a kombucha hotel, or you can just toss it.

Once the tea is fermented it’s ready for bottling. 

Bottling with the Kombucha and apple juice.  I let it sit for 7-10 days and it carbonates.

Waiting for the carbonation to happen.

The guys at work help me taste my flavors

 

                       

Enjoying Kombucha at work with the guys I work with.

I’ve sold some kombucha and have some people who are big fans!!  I love that people are enjoying my kombucha!!!

My label 

Keep an eye on your carbonating kombucha....I have had some explode in my kitchen!!!  Yep it is a mess!!  some people say you should burp you kombucha as it is carbonating.  Burping, just means to open the bottle and release the pressure.  Do keep an eye out, the sound of the bottle exploding is scary and it's a pain to clean up. :) 

Again, someone likes my kombucha!!  YEAH!!!!

Miss Amy’s Bakery

I went in search of tea, but they did not have any.  They said it might be something they carry in the future.  But, I did not leave empty handed....Apple fritter was great!!!

https://www.missamysbakery.com/

This bakery is in Wooster, Ohio.  They have a great selection of pastries, cupcakes, cookies, bread, and coffee.

You should check them out.  

Yum yum!!!!

Airplane- earl grey

 

While flying to Malaysia for a mission trip, I enjoyed a cuppa of Earl Grey.

I added a lemon in my tea, not something I normally do, but when in Rome, do as the Romans.....

I enjoyed my earl grey with lemon, I mean it was bagged tea, so it was not perfect, but it hit the spot while in the air and traveling for over 24 hours.

I love love love getting stamps in my passport!!  I am on my third passport.

Sure House Golden Milk Latte with Maple syrup and oat milk

https://www.surehousecoffee.com/

Okay these cretezels are amazing!!!  Part pretzel, part croissant with chocolate inside!!

I have discovered how to make the Golden Milk Latte, so I am not sure I will be having those any more at Sure House, but the cretzels, I will be back for the cretzels!!!

Golden Milk has ingredients like Organic turmeric, cinnamon,and ginger root.  Some varieties vary, but the main ingredient is turmeric.  It is super healthy for you. helps fight obesity, and good for your joints.  

When I get the Golden Milk Latte here I get it with oat milk, I like the earthiness of it.  Then instead of honey I am enjoying maple syrup in it.

Cio Fermented Fruit Drink and Legend of Tea in Malaysia

I was in Malaysia for a mission trip.  The first week I worked with kids, the second week I stayed with a college friends parents.  While there I traveled around looking for tea.

Here I am in the  Gurney mall searching for tea..

I checked out the Legend of Tea, put didn't try anything. But it was fun to browse the shop.

http://www.legend-of-tea.com.my/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cio-Fermented-Fruit-Drink/202693147034831

This drink was like a kombucha.  I don't think there was tea in here, the language barrier kept me from knowing, lol!  

It was a really tasty drink, it has that kombucha sparkle and zing.  They use apple Cider vinegar and Lychee vinegar to make the fruit drink.

Speak Easy Coffee, London Fog, Canal Fulton

My Wednesday wanderings took me to Canal Fulton. I decided to try the Speak Easy for some tea.

The coffee/tea place is right down town.  I love that more and more coffee places are carrying tea and even a special signature tea.

The gal who waited on me was super friendly and helpful. We chatted about tea and she made me a great London Fog.  She put in vanilla and lavender, she said she was going to call it something about the queen.  I can't remember what she said, but it was a hoot.

https://www.canalfultonspeakeasy.com/

https://www.canalfultonspeakeasy.com/

This is a nice place.  In the historic district of Canal Fulton.  They have live music and trivia nights.

I sat out side and watched people walk by.

This was a good London Fog, I enjoyed the shot of vanilla and a shot of lavender. 

A few days before I was in Canal Fulton they had major flooding.  The canal was way up and there was water everywhere. 

There is not usually water here!!!

He Brews, Shreve Ohio, Iced Lavender Chai Tea

Thought today was a fitting day to post this....the ONE year anniversary of the opening of He Brews!!!

 

Right in the downtown of Shreve is this fantastic coffee (Tea) shop. 

I discovered on one of my Wednesday Wanderings Day with my friend Abby.

 

While I was there I popped into Troy Miller Agency.  They are a great insurance agency that my company (Mennonite Mutual) works with! Shout out to the people I work with there.

 

 

Okay, back to He Brews!  I love love love this place.  I know I tend to say that, but this place has it all!!! It has the rustic, warm, inviting, vintage feel.  It has the brick wall, the metal, the wood, and more.

 

https://shrevehebrews.com/menu/

It is probably a good thing this place is almost 30 minutes away, or I'd be there once a week for lunch.  Great prices and a wonderful atmosphere!!

They carry Harney & Sons tea, along with made to order teas.

 The thing I think I love most is the focus on ministry and the Lord.  Thursday nights (6:30-7:30) they have a Bible Study there, weekends they have live Christian music.  This is my dream café!

 

This is my dream kind of place to own and/or run.

They have a Bible on every table.  This is just great.  Even the wi-fi password is a Bible verse.

I got the iced lavender chai latte.  It was perfect!!!  Sometimes you can't even taste the lavender or sometimes it is over powering- but this was perfect.

You need to check this place out if you are in Shreve!!  I highly recommend it.

My friend Abby and I got Panini's.  They were really good- ham, cheddar cheese, apple with a honey mustard sauce and it comes with chips for $5.50.  Very reasonable prices.

 

Even the bathroom is fun.  They have a graffiti chalk wall for those who like to write on the walls.

Very clever!!!

 

Even the purse handle is fun and unique.