You've probably heard of kombucha and how beneficial it is as a functional food but do you know anything about it? Are you even sure if it does what it claims to do? Well, if you have plans on getting this and incorporating it to your diet, it's best that you get to know about its history first.
This drink originated in China and became popular there during the 1950s. It was mostly used as a health beverage and you wouldn't be surprised to see families having cultures of these in their own homes. Prior to its popularity in China, trade with Russia in the early20th century introduced this drink to that country.
Ingredients Used
The probable reason why this drink has become popular recently is the relatively easy process by which it can be made. The main ingredients consist of the tea, sugar, and starter culture. A lot of brewers actually prefer to use black tea but it's also acceptable to use white or green tea if black isn't available.
What is discouraged though is the use of herbal teas that have undergone oil treatment. Sugar is also important since it will be the catalyst for the fermentation process. When done the proper way, this drink is fairly easy to prepare.
Is it Safe?
Now we go to the question that a lot of people have about this drink. Is it really safe for human consumption? The answer depends on the quality of the ingredients used, and in what environment this drink was prepared in. When dealing with fermentation, the major issue that people will have to contend with is contamination.
When brewed under the correct conditions, kombucha is generally safe for human consumption.Additionally, as of the moment there are no diseases or conditions that have been scientifically verified to be caused by the consumption of this drink.
Controversies
Most of the controversies surrounding kombucha are actually unfounded. Unfortunately though, its health claims also have not been verified scientifically. That should not deter anyone from brewing or consuming this as a regular drink though. Usually the main reason why this drink has a bad reputation is the fact that there are people who don't know how to properly brew it.
People from all over the world have been consuming this drink for more than a hundred years. Just this fact alone should be enough to convince people that their preconceived notions are wrong.
Should you Buy It?
Now are you going to brew it on your own or should you rather buy it? Well, prior to choosing between these two options make sure that you're not allergic to this drink first. You wouldn't want to buy something that you're not going to enjoy later on because of your allergies.
Consequently, the better option would be buying the drink from a trusted seller or health boutique. You can also buy brewing kits but you need to make sure that you have the perfect environment to prevent contamination and possible problems for you in the future. Either way, you'll realize how great tasting this drink really is.
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