How to Make Homemade Kombucha Part 1: Making Scoby

Kombucha is a fermented tea that contains probiotics.  In this blog post, I'll describe how to make part one of Kombucha .... the Scoby.  Scoby stands for:  Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast.  The Scoby feeds off the caffeine and the organic sugars resulting in beneficial probiotics.

Scoby purchased from Kombucha Kamp

After the Scoby is complete, you can use it to create Kombucha tea.  You can find this tea in health food stores for about $3 to $4 for 16 oz.  Making your own at home will save you money considering you only have to make the Scoby once.  Each time you use the Scoby to create the Kombucha it will yield a "baby" Scoby.  From there, you are just using one Scoby, 8 teabags, water and sugar to yield one gallon of Kombucha.

Scoby supplies/ingredients:                               

1 glass container at least 1/2 gallon-sized

Cheese cloth and a rubber band

Strainer if using loose tea

Sauce pan

1 liter of water

3 black teabags or the equivalent in loose tea

1/3 cup sugar

1 bottle of Raw Kombucha

                                                  

Step 1: Make tea.  Pour 1 liter of water into a sauce pan.  Heat water until boiling and turn off heat.  Add the tea bags/tea.  Let steep for the amount of time indicated on the tea's package.  Remove tea bags or strain and then stir in sugar.



Step 2:  Pour tea into glass container.  Once the tea is completely cool, stir in one bottle of Kombucha.



Step 3:  Cover the lid with cheesecloth and secure with a rubber band.  Store in a cool, dark place for at least 5 weeks or until you see a thick film form at the top.

Note:  The ideal temperature for creating Scoby is 80 degrees Fahrenheit.  We place our Kombucha on a heating pad since we don't keep our house that warm.   

Started Scoby March 22, 2014

Scoby formation photos:  I'll keep this blog updated with new images so you can see the process!

 

How to Make Homemade Kombucha Part 2: Making Kombucha Tea

Kombucha tea is extremely easy to make as long as you have a Kombucha Scoby and starter mix.  Check your local health food stores or purchase one online.  You can also make your own Scoby; for instructions view Part 1 of this blog:  Making Scoby.  We didn't want to wait for our Scoby to form to start making tea so we purchased a Scoby online from Kombucha Kamp.











To make Kombucha tea you will need the following ingredients:

1 Kombucha Scoby with starter mix
8 black tea bags
1 gallon bottled or filtered water
1 cup sugar
1 sterilized glass container
Breathable cloth such as cheese cloth
Rubber band elastic hair band

Kombucha Tea Instructions:

1. Make black tea:  Boil some or all of the 1 gallon water and steep the 8 black tea bags.  Remove tea bags and stir in sugar and the remaining water.  Let cool completely.

2.  Once cool, pour tea into the glass container and add the Scoby and starter mix.  Finally, cover the glass container with the cloth and secure with a rubber band.  Store in a warm place for about 1 1/2 weeks until tangy.  You will notice a new "baby" Scoby has formed.

Scoby purchased from Kombucha Kamp

Note:  The ideal temperature for fermenting Kombucha is 80 degrees Fahrenheit.  We place our Kombucha on a heating pad since we don't keep our house that warm.   

3.  Once ready, consider pouring Kombucha into sterilized glass bottles.  Store tea in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.

4.  Now you can repeat the process and make new Kombucha tea using 1 of the Scoby.  Store the new "baby" Scoby in a glass container covered with the Kombucha tea you just made.  Place a breathable cloth on the glass container and secure with an elastic band.  You can store the Scoby for months just make sure you check it periodically adding more Kombucha to keep the Scoby covered.

No Sacrifice Eat - Clean Enchilada Recipe

We are striving to eat healthier: no processed foods, organic vegetables and fruits, organic meats, etc.  Tonight, we needed something that tasted indulgent without compromising our diet.  Introducing ..... my enchilada recipe! I just had to share because they are absolutely delicious, healthy and the best enchiladas I have EVER made.  That star ingredient is: Ezekiel 4:9® Sprouted Whole Grain Tortillas

I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!







Enchilada Sauce Ingredients:

1 - 14 oz. can low-sodium tomato sauce
1 cup water
2 1/2 tablespoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoon cumin powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 tablespoon sugar, honey, or other sweetener (optional)
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
3 tablespoons whole wheat flour (or flour of choice)

Sauce Instructions:

Combine all ingredients in a medium - sized sauce pan and heat over medium - low heat until simmering and slightly thickened. Remove from heat and set aside.

Enchilada Ingredients (makes 12 enchiladas)

1 package of Ezekiel 4:9® Sprouted Whole Grain Tortillas
1 cooked and shredded chicken breast
1/2 can low-sodium pinto beans
1/2 can low-sodium black beans
8 oz. Monterrey Jack cheese shredded

Enchilada Instructions:
 
Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

1. Prepare the beans:  Rinse and drain the beans and place in a bowl.  Using a fork, mash the beans until you reach the desired consistency.

2.  Prepare filling:  To the beans, add and combine the following ingredients:  shredded chicken, mashed beans, 4 oz. shredded Monterrey Jack cheese, and 1/4 cup enchilada sauce.

3: Prepare tortillas:  In a medium - sized bowl, layer enchilada sauce and tortillas covering each with about 1 tablespoon before adding the next.  Let sit for 2-3 minutes maximum.

4.  Assemble enchiladas:  In a 9 X 13 baking dish, spread a thin layer of enchilada sauce.  Place about 1/4 cup filling on each tortilla and roll. Place assembled enchiladas in the baking dish and cover with 1/2 of the remaining enchilada sauce.  Place in the pre-heated oven at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.  Remove and cover enchiladas with the remaining sauce and cheese and bake for 5 minutes more.

5.  Remove let cool and ENJOY!