Mitch James Evenden - The Complete Guide to Home Brew Kombucha: Full proof your first attempt and nail that ferment

The ideas, concepts, and opinions expressed in this book are intended to be used for educational purposes only. This book is provided with the understanding that author and publisher are not rendering medical advice of any kind, nor is this book intended to replace medical advice, nor to diagnose, prescribe, or treat any disease, condition, illness, or injury.

It is imperative to use good judgment when consuming kombucha and never to consume any kombucha that looks, tastes, or smells unpleasant. Further, before consuming kombucha or any other fermented or cultured food, you should receive full medical clearance from a licensed physician. Author and publisher claim no responsibility to any person or entity for any liability, loss, or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly because of the use, application, or interpretation of the material in this book.

Why Kombucha? Well, because it tastes good, it makes me feel good, and my incredible family that I share my life with LOVE it! I was searching for ways to improve our gut health and stumbled across an article on how to make Kombucha at home. Being a stay at home dad at the time I decided this could be something fun and a great sensory activity for the kids and I. So we took a trip to the shops, bought what we needed and the rest is history!

Years later I now realise the potential health benefits of this very easy to make elixir and really want to teach people to start making it themselves. For lots of little info gems follow our Kombucha story on Instagram @kombuchamt :D

Fermentation and gut health
History of Kombucha
What is Kombucha?
A scoby? Whats that?

Beneficial bacteria
Yeast
Organic acids
Vitamins and minerals
Caffeine & L-Theanine content
Alcohol content

Seven evidence-based health benefits

Tea
Sugar
Water
Starter tea
A scoby
Ingredients
Equipment
Procedure

Fermenting containers and spigots
Covering your container
Useful extras

Shopping list
Equipment
Procedure

Shopping list
Equipment
Procedure

How do I alter the final flavour of my Kombucha?
Why should I flavour my Booch with a second fermentation?
What you need to think about when beginning the second ferment!
Steps to start your second fermentation

Mould
Insects
Black (dead) scoby
No sign of fermentation
Potential side effects of drinking Kombucha
Safe consumption of Kombucha

Kombucha Beer and Kombucha Ale
Kombucha Wine and Kombucha Champagne
Kombucha Coffee

Scoby hotel
Creating and Incorporating a flavour POWERHOUSE The Ginger Bug!
Ingredients
Equipment
Procedure
What makes Ginger healthy?
Fermenting Kombucha vinegar and its various uses
Creative ways to use extra scobys

Salad dressings
Marinades
Sauces
Family favourite treats
Scoby jerky

What is Kombucha, where did it come from and how do I make it? I will answer these questions and more in the following guide! The complete guide to home brewing Kombucha!

Consuming a wide array of fermented foods and drinks is a great way to increase the diversity of your gut microbiome. Obviously, this book is going to focus on the benefits contained in a delicious glass of ice cold Kombucha, but there are many fermented food and drink options out there, all with their own unique make up of bacteria and yeast that can benefit your body in one way or another.

Gut health is one of my favorite things to discuss as I believe it is one of the most influential components of our body, and it can affect ones health in drastic ways, for better or worse. The average human microbiome contains up to 2kg of bacteria and yeasts, most of it in the stomach. There are more bacteria in our guts, then there are cells in our entire body, to be more precise up to 90% of our cells can be bacterial, quite amazing when you think about it. The only way we can really change which bacteria and yeast is present is by consuming the correct food and drinks. The more nutrient dense and healthy our food is, the more beneficial bacteria we have in our gut and body. Generally speaking, the good guys like to eat healthy food. Peoples food cravings can be swayed in a large way by their gut microbiome.

The gut is now being called our second mini-brain as research is showing that hormones like serotonin are produced mainly in the stomach, up to 90% of production. Serotonin is a feel-good hormone that is very important in mental health. Our guts contain a lot of the same neurotransmitters as our brains and even contains more neurons then our entire spinal cord. These neurons make up the enteric nervous system and allow the gut and brain to communicate via the gut brain axis. This communication controls things such as appetite and food desires.

A huge reason as to why I am passionate about gut health is that recent studies have shown a direct link between autoimmune disease and gut health. As a Type 1 Diabetic (an autoimmune disease) I think about all the other problems this must create for people and believe that so many issues could be prevented if we all just started to be more conscious of what we put in our mouths.

Things you should start doing to improve gut health:

• Include fermented foods in your diets such as kombucha, kefir, sauerkraut, sourdough bread, kimchi and yogurt just to name a few
• Avoid things like alcohol, painkillers, and antibiotics as these have all been shown to negatively affect your gut microbiome. (although red wine in small doses can be good for gut health)
• Try to live as stress-free as possible as bad hormone balance can mess with gut health
• If you do have a cheat meal or splurge on something that you know is unhealthy ensure that your next meal contains lots of vegetables and healthy starch fibers, this will ensure that the beneficial bacteria can make a fight back against the bad ones that will start reproducing.
• Wash that meal down with a nice chilled glass of freshly brewed Kombucha

Hippocrates once said, All disease begins in the gut, and funnily enough even though his research and teachings are 2000 years old, they are proving his findings can stand the test of time. Gut health has a link to almost every known health problem both mental and physical. Just a little research will show this to you.