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 You probably
heard of one of the exotic wonders of the nature as tea fungus. This is a strange
and wonderful substance. Though, it is not that exotic since the jar with tea
fungus is popular with many people. The tea fungus is a symbiosis of
Acetobacter, including Acetobacter xylinum as a characteristic species, and
various yeasts. A characteristic yeast species or genus has not yet been
identified. Kombucha is the Western name for the sugared tea that won the
popularity among the population soon after the Russian-Japanese War when knowledge
of kombucha eventually reached Russia and then Eastern Europe. This ancient
yeast-culture tea, which the Karagsoks believe sustains their excellent health
into their hundreds, found its way years ago back to Japan.
The culture
itself looks somewhat like a large pancake, and though often called a mushroom,
a Mother of vinegar or by the acronym SCOBY (for «Symbiotic Colony of Bacteria
and Yeast»); it is clinically known as a zoogleal mat.
In appearance
the tea fungus resembles the jellyfish, it has disc-shaped and of
yellow-to-brown color. The body of the fungus is coated with small shoots that
makes it more look like the jellyfish.
When the sugared
black tea is added to this colony, the yeasts fungus start brewing sugar which
results in production of ethanol that in its turn becomes the acetic acid due
to enzymes of acetobacteria.
The
beverage we receive is believed to have curative effect and it tastes like a
sweet beer. Why is it called tea fungus? This is reasonable since tea is very
important in brewing of this beverage. Tea riches the beverage with Vitamin C, so
much required for the vital functions of the fungus and for the consumers
either.
You'd
better prepare the nutrient media to make this beverage. So, take a 3L jar with
cold boiled water. No need to use «raw water» since it might contain the
increased concentration of calcium and magnum that make the water harder. Water
should be «soft» enough, thus you'd better boil it before use. Add sugar into
the water, from one hundred grams of sugar to a liter of water. Then, add ten
grams of organic black tea. Hence, we have a sweet, slightly colored nutrient
solution. Then, take the jar with the fungus and pour the freshly-prepared
nutrient solution into this jar. The jar with the fungus in the nutrient
solution should be stored in room temperature in the dark place to avoid direct
sun rays so ruinous for the fungus.
There are two
important rules to consider when brewing and storing the tea fungus. First, you
cannot make the nutrient solution in the jar with the fungus. The point is that
sugar particles are as much dangerous for the tea fungus as the red hot coal
for us, since it can cause burns to the fungus which may kill the «jellyfish».
That is why you need to keep your nutrient solution to the room temperature not
to cause burns. Second, make sure that your fungus is in warm conditions, while
at the temperature 16 to 17 algal microorganisms may inhabit there in the jar
with the fungus. One more thing, you do not need to close the jar tightly with
the cap, you only need to cover it with several layers of gauze.
The tea
fungus stays on the bottom at the beginning of brewing process, then in three
days it goes up when as the result of enzyme reactions the sufficient amount of
bubbles of carbon dioxide. Due to this bubbles we have a slightly acidulous
effervescent beverage. In five to seven days you may drink the beverage.
The tea
fungus drink contains a significant concentration of biologically active and wholesome
components like organic acids, vitamins, enzymes and so forth. This drink is
believed to normalize the metabolism and is applied in treatment of various
diseases. This infusion has a health-improving effect on the gastrointestinal
tract in cases of dyspepsia, constipation, gastroenteritis, dysentery and many
others. Thanks to the anti-bacterial features this drink is effective with
tonsillitis and stomatitis. Moreover, this drink is believed to improve the medical
status of tuberculosis infected people and it has impact on viruses that makes it
easy to use in treatment of acute respiratory diseases and flu cases.
This
beverage is considered as «panacea» for many people and it is recommended in
drops in cases of conjunctivitis and otitus. The drink brewed with green tea is
good to suspend the cariosity. The beverage helps to bring the arterial
pressure to the normal condition. If you happen to overeat, some sips of the
drink will help the process of digestion. Many claims have been made regarding
this tea. However, when kombucha tea is
taken in moderation as a part of a well-balanced whole foods diet, you will be
pleasantly surprised at the consequences it will have on your health. It
detoxifies the blood and cleanses the intestinal tract. It can help to restore balance and support to
the immune system which will, in turn, encourage the body to heal itself. You should notice an improvement in your
overall health and your energy levels should begin to increase within 2 to 4
weeks of drinking kombucha. It will
begin to restore your intestinal flora to a proper balance and should eliminate
any yeast overgrowth. It is also very
refreshing and quite enjoyable as a beverage. Those who are in permanent
struggle to lose weight, consider this! Lotions of this drink may be applied in
cases of dermatological diseases, like acne. In general, this beverage has a
toning effect to the skin which looks netter and rejuvenates. Therefore, the
experts recommend that you apply tissues soaked in the tea fungus extract to
your face and add some of it when taking a bath. There are people who even
recommend using this drink if you want to get rid of dandruff, as they believe.
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