Month: October 2017

Kombucha at Home

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kombucha tea at home

Kombucha – an overview

The Chinese call Kombucha the ‘Immortal Health Elixir’. I am sure that this gives you somewhat of a hint as to what this is all about. It is packed full of goodness. There is a reason why it has been consumed for over 2,000 years, after all! Kombucha is a traditional, fermented tea made with a particular Symbiotic Colony of Bacteria and Yeasts (SCOBY), often referred to as a “mother,” or scientifically, as Fungus japonicus. This floating, cellulose-encased culture turns a sweetened tea (often black tea) into an energizing, refreshing, tangy drink. Kombucha contains digestive enzymes, amino acids, vitamins, and glucuronic acid. It is fermented to taste, and over time, the sweetness gives way to sour. And, depending on the extent of fermentation, residual sugars and caffeine may remain in the finished beverage.

What is Kombucha?

It is a fermented drink. It consists of black tea and sugar. The sugar comes from various natural sources. This means that Kombucha may contain honey, fruit, and cane sugar. This mix, once fermented, contains a ton of awesome stuff. This includes V vitamins, enzymes, some probiotics, and some bacteria which are there to help protect your cells from damage.

I am not going to go into everything that can be found in Kombucha because, quite frankly, it does not actually matter. What matters is that there is a wealth of benefits to Kombucha, and that is what the rest of this page will be dedicated to.

Kombucha Teakombucha tea

Some kombucha teas have added juices, flavors, or sweeteners. Vitalitea is fermented to a moderately strong taste, at which point the characteristic flavors of kombucha shine through without the need for dilution or addition.
The ingredients are organic sugars and teas, reverse osmosis water, and the kombucha culture. The tea is fermented in large glass jars for approximately six weeks. Make your own kombucha tea at home, where you can enjoy the whole experience, and drink as often as you like.

Disease Prevention

It is not going to help to prevent every single disease. It is a miracle drink, but it is not that much of a miracle. However, because it is packed to the brim with antioxidants, it can help to protect the body against some disease, particularly those which start in the gut.
In addition to this, if you are suffering from a condition that causes inflammation, then the Kombucha can help to tone down that inflammation somewhat. It is believed that this is the reason why Kombucha can help combat some forms of cancer.

Restores Balance in the Digestive System

If you wish for your body to absorb all the nutrients from the food that you are consuming, then the gut needs to be in good working condition. There are plenty of different things which can throw it out of sync. The healthy bacteria packed into Kombucha help a long way towards restoring this balance. It is not going to be the ‘only’ solution, but it will certainly help.

Can Assist With Mental Conditions

B vitamins can be found in Kombucha. These B vitamins, particularly B12, are known for increasing mental wellbeing. In fact, there is some evidence that Kombucha can help when it comes to dealing with depression and related conditions.

Prevents Lung Disease

Some studies have looked at the inhalation of Kombucha in a way to combat lung disease. However, you should be able to get the same benefits from drinking it. Kombucha is known to help prevent conditions such as silicosis. The studies are still in their earliest possible stages, but the evidence that we have thus far is quite promising.

Prevents Infections

The good bacteria found in Kombucha is known for being able to fight off bad bacteria, much in the same way as an antibiotic. So, if you have an infection, then you may find that it is especially beneficial to consume Kombucha regularly. It is known to help fight E. coli, staph, salmonella, and other types of food poisoning.

Best Types of Fish for Grilling

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fish grilling

Grilling of fish can enhance its aroma, flavor and taste in incredible ways. You might choose the gas stovetop, oven or the charcoal grill depending on your choice. However, I recommend the charcoal grill for preserving the vital fluids within the fish and extracting the unique flavors from its core. Adding moderately dry wooden chips to the charcoal can slow down the grilling and avoid burning of fish.

Blue Salmon Fish for Grilling

There are about 40+ aromatic flavors within fresh salmon which get extracted during grilling. Some of the most commonly observed features that give salmon its distinct flavor and taste are the buttery skin layers, content and the combination of the aromatic flavors. Wild salmon is the best among the various species due to their unique protein and mineral content. Grilling the salmon with the skin can protect the inner layers from burning out. However, you can opt for skinless fillets with lemon juice, pepper and salt seasoning. You have to grill the fish on low to medium heat. Preheating the grill and brushing with olive oil can help increase the taste.

Mackerel Tuna Fish for Grilling

Mackerel tuna contains 53% protein which makes it highly tasty and aromatic after grilling. With 42% fat and 5% carbohydrates the crispiness of the grilled fish increases significantly. You can also opt for Yellow fin or Blue fin tuna if you are unable to find the mackerel species. Blue fin tuna has 69% protein and 31% fat. The yellow fin tuna contains 92% protein and only 8% fat. You can get the best grilling effects by keeping the charcoal on one end of the stove while grilling the fish on the other end.

Pearl Spot Cichlid for Grilling

The Pearl spot cichlid (also called green chromide) gives to the best taste when it is grilled on the charcoal by wrapping it in a piece of banana leaf or aluminum foil. This fish contains 17% fat, high percentage of proteins and omega-3 fatty acids. You can season the fish with the paste of peppercorn, cumin seeds, garlic, turmeric powder, red chilies, cinnamon and salt. Wrap the seasoned fish in small banana leaves and place on the grill at the direct end with low to moderate heat (140 degrees Fahrenheit). You need to rotate the sides after every 4 minutes until the fish turns flaky.

Tilapia Fish for Grilling

Tilapia fish contains 81% protein and 19% fat. The other nutritional elements are niacin, vitamin B12 and selenium. You need to season the fish with the paste made from pepper powder, garlic, ginger, olive oil, sea salt, lemon juice and soy sauce. Wrap the seasoned fish in aluminum foil and grill on moderate heat for 4 to 5 minutes on each side.

River Eel Fish for Grilling

The river eel fish contains high ingredients of fatty acids, amino acids, protein and minerals. With more than 90% of calories, the fish roasts well and becomes crispy on grilling. You can season the fish with the paste made form mint leaves, garlic, green chilies, coriander powder, olive oil and peppercorn. Wrap in the aluminum sheet and grill over moderate heat for 4 to 5 minutes on each side.