Gut Feelings Kombucha, more than just a low sugar alterative to fizzy drinks!
Kombucha is a fermented drink made using a base of caffeinated tea and sugar which is fed to a community of beneficial bacteria and yeast – a SCOBY. SCOBY stands for symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast and it is this lively community of microbes that transform sweetened tea into a drink that is vibrant with beneficial microbial life.
At Gut Feelings, we feed our SCOBYs green tea which is packed with polyphenols. Polyphenols are natural compounds found within plan foods that support human health through their antioxidant properties, aiding the body in fighting against cellular damage. Our sweetened green tea mixture is left to ferment for one month, which is far more than many commercial brewers. This length of fermentation time was decided to enable our microbes to have a great feast and build up high levels of beneficial microbes.
The sugar added is not for us humans, it is essential food for the microbes. Throughout the month of fermentation, the bacteria and yeast within our brews feed on the sugar and the caffeine which significantly lowers the levels of both within the final drink. In return, they produce acetic and lactic acids which build up within the liquid, giving Kombucha its distinct acidic and funky tang. The beneficial microbes we are supporting in Kombucha brewing thrive within acidic environments which means the more the fermentation goes on, the higher the microbial community in the final product.
The final stage of our process at Gut Feelings is flavouring. I am incredibly passionate about using real fruit and herbs. No additives, fake ‘natural’ flavourings, essences or concentrates to be found! We brew up the flavours of the month which are always Raspberry & Mint, Lemon & Ginger plus our seasonal flavour which changes every 2 months – currently Blueberry & Chamomile. Doing it this way gives more fibre to the microbes to feed on and leaves us with a Kombucha that has a higher nutritional content due to the addition of the vitamins and minerals from the ingredients used.
The completed product is a cold, effervescent and tangy drink that can be consumed as a low sugar alternative, an alcohol alternative or – my preference – a drink for health. Gut Feelings Kombucha has been proven to contain live beneficial microorganisms and is packed with acids that support detoxification. Consuming fermented food and drinks has been shown to enhance gut health through the transient bacteria that are present, giving our commensal gut microbiota a helping hand.
There are so many more benefits to drinking Kombucha than just the low sugar content and I believe it to be of great importance even through the Winter time. Our gut microbiota work hand in hand with our immune system so by adding in a fermented product each day, we could be supporting our immunity at a time where we need it most. Don’t like to drink cold Kombucha when it’s chilly out? You can heat Gut Feelings Kombucha to 50°C and enjoy warm whilst still getting the benefits of live beneficial microbes!
Wondering where to find us? Check out our stockists list for your nearest supplier or contact me if you would like to sign up to a home delivery subscription service next year!