I attended a lunch with a bunch of my fellow yoga teachers a while back, and the subject of the conversation moved to kombucha. I didn’t want to admit that I had no idea what it was, so I just listened intently as they went on about this wonder elixir. I remember hearing that it was all natural, contained magic mushrooms, was fizzy and to be opened with caution, could clean you out, and filled you up with renewed energy.
I learned that kombucha can boost the immune system, reverse the aging process, and is a cure-all for a wide range of conditions including baldness, insomnia, intestinal disorders, arthritis, and cancer…but they had me with the mention of the magic mushrooms. If I could drink something healthy that gave me a little natural buzz and helped me stay young, I wanted to give it a try. I made a mental note to pick myself up some kombucha the next time I went to a health food store.
A couple of months passed, and I hadn’t yet tried kombucha. Then one day there were some extra bottles graciously left at Yoga Bliss Akron by my fellow yoga teacher, Juli Hicks (Yoga Bliss now carries GT’s Kombucha, so you can grab a cold one after a yoga class). I was hot after teaching and in a hurry, so I grabbed a bottle and ran to my car shaking the bottle up to move around all the sediment that settles on the bottom of each bottle, which I have to admit kind of creeps me out.
I got in my car, pulled out to start my drive home, and went to open my bottle of kombucha.
Can you say EXPLOSION!
Kombucha was spewing out of the glass bottle and spraying up all over me and my car. Plus, I was still trying to drive. It’s amazing that I didn’t get in a wreck, but luckily I came to a red light and was able to maneuver the lid back onto the bottle to contain the combustion. I drove the rest of the way home sitting in a big, wet diaper of kombucha. As thirsty as I was, I was not going to open that bottle again and risk another blowout.
Yes, I had been warned not to shake the bottle. The bottle even has a plastic cap cover with the following friendly warning: naturally effervescent – careful when opening. That my friends, is the biggest product understatement I’ve heard in quite a while.
After cleaning up the pool of liquid, I took the possessed bottle into the house and told my husband the story behind my green bath. At this point we were both a little leery of drinking something that had that much gassy, fizzy power to it. I started to conjure up visions of Charlie drinking the fizzy lifting drinks in Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Surely, no good could come from this.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQytqzQOR3Y[/youtube]
The experience in my car had left no room in my imagination for what this liquid had the potential to do inside my digestive tract.
After letting the bottle set for a good hour the curiosity got the best of us, and we decided it was safe to open again and each did a shot to see if we would survive.
We did, and I have to admit, even though I never experienced the mushroom buzz, I am a fan of the Kombucha . I like the taste, a cross between sparkling apple cider and champagne, and I like the way it makes me feel. But I’ll never shake it up like a Polaroid again!
I’ve since learned that kombucha is made by fermenting tea using yeast and bacteria, which forms a kombucha culture. This culture is what is affectionately referred to as the mushroom. I guess it really is a magic mushroom if it produces a drink that can energize my mind, fight off the effects of aging with anti-oxidants, and boost my immune system.
So, what’s your kombucha confession? Let me know if you’ve tried it, what brands or flavors you like best, if you’re adventurous enough to make you own, and how to remove the kombucha smell from a car interior!
Geyser Image: Zsolt Zatrok Dr
Oh! So it tastes good like cider? I’ve always wanted to try it, but I was afraid to. I thought it was going to taste like moldy green tea or something. Hmmm. I may have to try this now. Sorry it’s it in your car now…I hear white vinegar can take out anything!
My advice is to start with the strawberry flavor, it tastes like fresh strawberries in such a satisfying was that I think even kids would like it!
I love GT’ s ginger-aid Kombucha. It’s yummy and good for the tummy:)
Kim drinks this all the time! I have tried a couple but can’t remember the flavors.
Hi, i feel the same way, i was thirsty while shopping at whole foods grabbed a cold one, shook it and opened it.
I have been afraid to try one ever since.
I am in a yoga kitchen group and all the girls are making thier own and giving each other mothers. ( and i dont mean the finger) let me know if you would like to be included in our yoga kitchen fb page.
Very lucky to have a partner to share your curiosity and brav enough to try it
Connie:
Well I guess I feel a little better that my explosion did not happen in a public place! I would love to be part of your FB page – please let me know the deets!
I’ve heard of kombucha but not tried it. Your article has peaked my interest. If I should try it, I will not shake the bottle.
I think this is so funny Maria! The day you tried your first kombucha was the very same day I picked one up in the grocery store and read the label! I vaguely remember hearing about it from somewhere/one. I didn’t have the guts to try it! But now I will!!! But I will NOT shake it!!
Never, Never, Shake a bottle of Kombucha!! Cathy – hoping we can toast each other together with a glass of kombucha some day soon my yogini friend!
I love kumbucha and was buying it almost every day so I got a jar and a mushroom culture from a friend. I could never get the mixture right to make it taste as good as the stuff I bought in the store so I gave up. I might try it again when I have more time. Loooove kumbucha!
First time I drank kambucha I thought it was the worst tasting drink ever. Two years later I’m learning how to make my own!
Great post. I go through Kombucha phases. Right now I am off Kombucha as it is very pricey and a little intense for me.
I do make my own. I have never bought any(at almost 4 dollars a bottle?!?) it is very affordable to do at home. And you can make it any flavor you like…Very good for all ages:)
Your not supposed to shake it because it can kill the good bacteria in it as well as explode like a pop. I love it, it taste great, some have a interesting smell (bad) but taste amazing i have defiantly noticed an increase in energy and better mood as well as slightly better control of my asthma i recommend this product to anyone and everyone.
I must admit, your story left me in tears! I just went through the same thing! which is why I’m on this page… I didn’t read the label on top and I shook the bottle recklessly, so when I open the bottle (VOLCANIC EXPLOSION!!!!). This all happeened in the cafeteria… Thankfully, It all was on a table and not me
I just bought two bottles but am wondering, if you don’t shake it, do you just pour carefully so you don’t drink the sediment from the bottom of the jar?
Lol your story so familiar I couldn’t stop laughing love kombusha. If anyone e has a good recipe please share.