Learning How to Make Your Own Kombucha

Fro-yo girl here. If you like kombucha, you should consider making your own. It’s easy once you have a few supplies. I took a three hour kombucha making workshop at Culture Club 101 in Pasadena. We learned the ins and outs of kombucha making from the founder/owner, Elaina Luther. Elaina’s been making kombucha for 25 years, so she’s definitely a kombucha and fermentation expert.

The class covered the history of kombucha, health benefits of kombucha, recommended types of teas to use for making kombucha (some work better than others), how to take care of your SCOBY, and kombucha recipes. We enjoyed multiple kombucha and fermented beverages during the workshop and left with a glass jar with a batch of kombucha and SCOBY, tea towel, cheesecloth, and a jar of kombucha raspberry sauce that Elaina made during the class. We basically had a batch of kombucha ready for home fermentation that we prepared during the workshop. The kombucha raspberry sauce was amazing. I love adding it to plain or honey yogurt for extra tang. 

Other necessary accessories for home kombucha brewing include a stainless steel pot, strainer, funnel, ladle, resealable glass bottles, distilled or spring water, sugar, and tea. The SCOBY is best kept at 80-85 degrees. You may want to invest in a heating mat as well. I would recommend getting another glass jar to store your extra scobies. Use the extra scobies to experiment or as insurance, in case some of your scobies get sick or die. The mother SCOBY will eventually need to be retired when she gets dark or yeasty.

Culture Club 101’s housemade kombucha is the best we’ve ever had. Commercial brands aren't as potent. Some taste more like juice or soda than kombucha. We like our kombucha strong and potent.

The workshop teaches you exactly how it’s made, but then you can get creative by adding juice, herbs, and spices. To make stronger kombucha, use more tea. I also found a lot of kombucha brewing tips online, on websites like KombuchaKamp.com and Cuturesforhealth.com. You can also buy kombucha brewing supplies from both of those websites.

I've made several very successful batches of kombucha since the workshop. My favorite addition to the kombucha so far is a sprig of fresh rosemary. 

* CULTURE CLUB 101: 1392 E. Washington Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91104

You know you love me. X0 X0, fro-yo girl.

Looking for more frozen yogurt news, discussion boards, and resources? Check out the International Frozen Yogurt Association website at http://internationalfrozenyogurt.com/. The IFYA is the independent voice of the frozen yogurt industry.

Culture Club 101 in Pasadena, CA, Champion of the Human Microbiome

Fro-yo girl here. We recently visited Culture Club 101 and have become regular customers, because they have the best kombucha around. Culture Club 101 is all about supporting the human microbiome. They do this by producing fermented foods and beverages, teaching others about fermented foods, and offering specialized nutrient-dense groceries and prepared foods. What they make is made in small batches, the traditional way. Their foods are heirloom, sprouted, pasture-raised, humanely raised, organic, non-GMO, soy-free, biodynamic, permaculture, sustainable, bird-friendly, etc. They’re eco-friendly to the extreme.

They carry specialty foods, like farm fresh eggs, bird friendly coffee, cashew cheese, raw dairy products, grass-fed beef, pasture-raised chicken, etc. Then they make a lot of fermented foods – many kinds of kraut, kraut juice, water kefir, kombucha, fermented soda, etc. I haven’t seen some of what they make elsewhere – e.g., water kefir, jun, bird friendly coffee that they roast themselves. The café serves pastries, healthy bowls, salads, toast, paninis, coffee, bone broth, etc. They don’t have frozen yogurt, but they do have an abundance of probiotic foods.

The komucha ($4/bottle, available on tap) is made in small batches on site, the old-fashioned way. It’s stronger and not as sweet as commercial kombucha. It’s got a real bite. It smells like and tastes like vinegar but with a pleasant, sweet, apple cider aftertaste. If you like it stronger or weaker, take the kombucha making class and brew your own.

Culture Club 101 is more than a store but it’s more about a lifestyle. You can become a member if you believe in their mission or donate to their Go Fund Me campaign. If you love fermented foods, want to improve your gut health or want a healthy, nourishing meal, visit them.

* CULTURE CLUB 101: 1392 E. Washington Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91104

You know you love me. X0 X0, fro-yo girl.

Looking for more frozen yogurt news, discussion boards, and resources? Check out the International Frozen Yogurt Association website at http://internationalfrozenyogurt.com/. The IFYA is the independent voice of the frozen yogurt industry.