Kombucha Tea?

Anyone have any knowledge of this latest fad drink?
I understand it can be brewed at home easily enough and it is supposed to have health benifits.
I just returned from the town warf an old lobsterman freind of mine says hes been taking it for his arthritice with great success.
It's also helpfull for the liver?
It sounds like a fermented sweet tea with alcohol to me.
It may bring a boost to my tea time. Chow Jim

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kombucha

I'm a tea lover. Personally though, it's an aquired taste I haven't aquired.

My 92 year old grandmother loves the stuff and also swears by it for joint pain alleviation.

She swears by the 1/2 shot anejo tequilla in her evening diet 7-up too.

I would never try to make it. Like picking mushrooms to eat, you really have to know what the h--- you are doing. Making home-made fermented foods, there is a thin line between good health and disease.

That stuff's been around a long time. I don't think it's legal to sell the starter in most states because the process is nearly uncontrollable. That's not to say you can't buy it somewhere.

quote:

Originally posted by fabulousoyster

I would never try to make it. Like picking mushrooms to eat, you really have to know what the h--- you are doing. Making home-made fermented foods, there is a thin line between good health and disease.

I agree. If everything goes correctly, then you have Kombucha "tea". If some errant spores get into it, then you are growing...who knows what? Personally, I would avoid trying to make it at home.