World Kombucha Day 2.21

Legend of Kombucha

A drawing of Emperor Qin, whose dynasty reigned around the time Kombucha is said to have been discovered, 221 BC. — Emperor Qin Shi Huang Di

“The most famous legend of Kombucha’s origin dates it to the Qin dynasty (221-206 BCE) during which time … it was referred to as the “Tea of Immortality.” The emperor Qin Shi Huang (秦始皇) sought to lengthen his life and the “Tea of Immortality” was delivered by alchemists at his request.” The Big Book of Kombucha

We many never know exactly when or where Kombucha originated. This legend hints at the reverence Kombucha lovers have for this beautiful culture. Learn more about the History of Kombucha.

Origin of World Kombucha Day

In 2015, Alex conceived a wonderful idea to celebrate the arrival of our mighty tome, due on March 8th – International Woman’s Day. He suggested establishing World Kombucha Day on 2/21 – February 21st. It was a nod to the year of Kombucha’s legendary origins. At the time, we were experiencing tremendous growth: managing a nascent trade association, a forthcoming book tour planning and moving into an upgraded facility. We simply didn’t have the time – yet the seed was planted.

Then in 2019, the idea resurfaced as a way to promote and celebrate Kombucha worldwide via Kombucha Brewers International. Alex and I co-founded KBI with 40 member brands in 2014. The inaugural World Kombucha Day launched on February 21, 2020 with brewers from around the world offering education, free Kombucha and more to the festivities. This video was created to share about the origins of Kombucha.

How to Celebrate World Kombucha Day

Share your love of Kombucha today! Here are a few ways you can celebrate the day.

Share bottles of your homebrew with friends. Initiate a newbie into the wonder of Kombucha!
Pass on a SCOBY so they can start their own batch. Don’t have extras or need a new one? Grab one of our quality, organically grown cultures that are guaranteed to brew a lifetime of delicious Kombucha.
Reread the opening or the History section of The Big Book of Kombucha and consider your own Kombucha journey. What have you learned along the way? How may others learn from your experience?
Tag @kombuchakamp when you share your stories on social media so we can see how Kombucha has impacted your life.

You can also visit WorldKombuchaDay.com to see if there are any events or celebrations in your local area and of course, the hashtag #worldkombuchaday on social media will also yield many more online celebrations.

2020 Holiday Gift Guide

4 Vessel Types

3 Package Levels – choose Kombucha or JUN

Organic Teas, Tisanes & Herbs

3 Tea Sampler
Flavor Saver
Elderberry Syrup Kit
Rootbeer Flavoring Pack
Exotic Flavors – vanilla bean, goji berries, maca & more!
Bulk Size Flavors – ginger, hibiscus, chai spice, elderberries

Kefir Grains & Kits

Made in the USA

Booch Lovers

Got Booch?
Bacteria Powered sticker
I ♥ Kombucha sticker
Trust Your Gut! sticker
Kombucha Kamp Logo Chop Heathered Tee
Bacteria Powered Organic Cotton Tee
Logo Chop Tote Bag
Gift Certificate – $25, $50, $100, $250 or email us to create a custom amount

Good for the Planet

More Great Gift Ideas Coming Soon!

Why Vinegar is Unnecessary for Making Kombucha

Have you seen a recipe for Kombucha that says you need to add vinegar? Why would you need to do that? Does it make the brew stronger? These and many other questions about vinegar and Kombucha often fill our inbox.

While there is a lot of conflicting information about vinegar and it’s easy to get confused, the short answer is NO you do not need to use vinegar, either as starter liquid or in your vessel.

However, there are some situations where vinegar can serve as a useful brewing tool, assuming the correct type of vinegar is used. Below, we’ll review exactly when and when not to use vinegar with your Kombucha brew.

How Do Kombucha and Vinegar Relate?

Kombucha is an acetic acid ferment, which means it belongs to the vinegar family. The bacteria in both are generally related but different in type and mix, while the yeast differ greatly.

Vinegar is technically defined as having 4-8% acetic acid content. By contrast, Kombucha contains just 0.5-1.2% acetic acid. We do not need to dilute Kombucha in order to enjoy it as a beverage, making it an “easy drinking” tea vinegar. The acetic acid provides a delicious flavor punch as well as a host of other benefits.

Should I Be Using Vinegar for Kombucha Starter? … Continue Reading

Is Kombucha Keto?

Kombucha is extremely flexible, pairing well with nearly any meal or type of food. That flexibility means it’s also a great fit for those choosing a specific diet, either as a permanent lifestyle (paleo, vegan, traditional, etc.) or as a temporary means to lose weight and get healthy. Still, new diets come along all the time, and one of the more popular these days is the Ketogenic, aka “keto.” But is Kombucha keto friendly? Will Kombucha knock you out of ketosis?

*NOTE: The below tips are for making Kombucha with less sugar, which can be applied to any diet choice, not just keto, or if for any reason you have sugar sensitivity.

What is a Ketogenic Diet?

The keto diet prescribes a low carbohydrate, high fat (LCHF) nutrient balance to put the body into “ketosis.” In this state, the body uses fat stores as fuel rather than burning sugar (carbohydrates). The specific ratio of low carbs, moderate proteins and high fats triggers ketosis, which can be detected using blood, breath or urine testers that measure ketones. Once in ketosis, as the idea goes, the body’s roller coaster of crashes and cravings comes to an end.

Is the Keto Diet Safe?

As with anything relatively new, the keto diet has many advocates and detractors, both with compelling arguments. That said, low carb/high fat diets have been popular before (Atkins), and limiting added sugar intake in general is a good tenet to live by.

Diet is one of the most confusing issues we face, and modern science is finally coming to the conclusion that there will never be a one size fits all solution (for food or healthcare). So if you believe the keto diet may help you, consult with your healthcare provider first and then trust your gut!

KMAMMA SEZ…Whether it’s as simple as a candle or as radical as biodiesel, fat is a wonderful store of energy. Unleashing that power in the service of running the body sounds like a great idea, rather than relying on replenishing sugar levels constantly. But eating fat makes you fat, right? As it turns out, not so much. Instead, eating excess sugar and carbs turns out to be the cause. In fact, many of our most vital nutrients are “fat-soluble” which means they need to be consumed with fat in order for the body to assimilate them. So go ahead and drizzle that salad with oil and add a pat of butter to your veggies; not only does it taste good but it’s better for you!

Healthy fats = lard (yes lard!), tallow, olive oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, ghee, fish oil, flaxseed oil, nut oils
AVOID = soybean oil, vegetable oil, canola oil

Is Kombucha Allowed on Keto Diet?

10 Great Hibiscus Kombucha Recipes

Hibiscus Kombucha recipes can vary, depending on whether the hibiscus plant is used in the first or second ferment. But either way you want to make it, we have a delicious and easy Hibiscus Kombucha recipe to fit your cravings. Check out the options below!

What is Hibiscus?

Hibiscus or jamaica (say huh-my-kah) is a delicious infusion of the edible hibiscus plant called Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa). Historically found in Africa and grown in warm climates across the globe, the ruby hued dried petals are high in vitamin C and have been prized by many cultures for centuries.

In Jamaica and parts of Central America, the petals are steeped along with a mixture of ginger, cloves and other spices. Sugar is often added to sweeten the tangy bite. And it’s occasionally spiked with rum!

KMAMMA SEZ…
Use the Hibiscus Spice recipe at the end of this post to make your own Jamaican Spiced Kombucha Kocktail using your favorite spirit.

Hibiscus Kombucha Benefits

Hibiscus is naturally high in antioxidants which are vital to human health. Several studies have been conducted on humans and animals showing that hibiscus may also help lower blood pressure, detoxify the liver as well as help maintain a healthy weight.

Hibiscus – Is it a Tea or Tisane?

When brewing at home, the rule is to always use real tea when making Kombucha. That means the Camellia sinensis plant, picked and processed in a variety of styles, which we know as black teas, green teas, and white teas, to name just a few.

Hibiscus is a… Continue Reading