Organic Kombucha Mushrooms

So called because of their shape and color, organic kombucha mushrooms are not, in fact, technically mushrooms at all. While nominally classed as a fungi, they are in fact a colony of bacteria in a yeast mixture. When fermented to make the increasingly popular kombucha tea, a slimy mass forms on the tea’s surface that bears a resemblance to a mushroom cap.

A kombucha mushroom is really bacteria.

The SCOBY of Organic Kombucha Mushrooms

SCOBY is a fermenting term that stands for symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast. When aged, this is the formation of a kombucha mushroom. People with any history of yeast intolerance should not drink kombucha tea. There are a number of other health considerations associated with the drinking of kombucha tea and one should research thoroughly before incorporating the drink into the diet.

A Fungi Solely for Drinking

In the same way as lentils are commonly referred to as beans instead of legumes, it’s easier to call this mix of bacteria and yeast a mushroom. It’s also far more palatable. This is not, however, a substance that can be eaten on its own. Kombucha mushrooms are, somewhat confusingly, both the basis for the tea and what forms on the surface after the tea has been fermented. As the tea often contains fungi, one must be careful and sure that the kombucha kit they purchased was organic and certified, because some of the molds and fungi that form can be toxic.

Properly made, however, the kombucha mushroom yields a drink that tastes a bit like apple and pear cider and is widely touted for its supposed health benefits. These range from the absurd, like curing baldness, to the dangerous, like offering false hope to those suffering from multiple sclerosis, AIDS and cancer. While it cannot be emphasized enough that there is no scientific proof of there being any benefit at all from kombucha tea, and in fact there have been several cases reported of illnesses and even deaths associated with it, the historical understanding is that it can boost the immune system through a potent mix of antioxidants. Most believers like it for its perceived detoxification properties, which they note can result in everything from resistance to allergies to a decrease in cellulite. It’s commonly drunk with breakfast, so as to kick-start the immune system.

The Brewing Process

While you can buy kombucha mushroom tea in bag form, if you want the true taste of organic kombucha mushrooms, you should buy a brewing kit from a natural food store, naturopath or online from a reliable Web site. Typically, the tea will take about a week to prepare, steeping in tea and sugar and producing what can be called a baby mushroom, which can be used for brewing in its turn.

Sweetened black tea is fermented with the mushroom, which at this stage is the aforementioned culture of bacteria and yeasts and looks as though it was tipped straight from a Petri dish. After the tea ferments, the sac that forms on the top looks like a mushroom cap.

It is important to follow the brewing instructions exactly to guard against any possible dangerous side effects. Absolute cleanliness is crucial and neither metal nor lead-based containers should be used.

The Effects of Kombucha

Kombucha purveyors tout its B-vitamin content and the glucuronic acid that is said to boost the detoxification process. These are the traditional claims, but, as with the supposed curing of cancer, they have not been verified in any scientific manner. Many users report improved health, but likewise there are complaints of upset stomachs, yeast infections, allergic reactions and headaches brought on by using it.

Other Forms of Kombucha

If you aren’t set on using organic kombucha mushrooms and still want to pursue its use for your health, it is available in capsule and extract form, as well as in commercial bag teas. While these may not be strong enough to give you any substantial amount of the detoxification or vitamin B you seek, you can at least feel relatively confident that you won’t experience ill effects. The use of kombucha, like many other homeopathic trends, should be approached with care.

• Kids Organic Bubble Bath
• USDA Organic Goat's Milk Bar Soap
• Organic Breakfast
• What is Organic Farming
• What is Organic

• How to Make Organic Hair Products
• Organic Bamboo Fabric
• How to Make Organic House Cleaning Products
• 100% Organic Vitamins and Supplements
• Best Organic Shampoos

• Organic Food Online
• Majestic Organic Tea
• Category:Natural and Organic Food
• Organic Breakfast Recipes
• Organic Kombucha Tea