Ginger is a multifaceted herb. Its knobby root is versatile. Warm, spicy and earthy, ginger serves to boost the immunity. There are so many varied ways to use ginger. It has several medicinal properties. It also is a potent antioxidant and reduces inflammation. To make a ginger bug, probiotic ginger beer is perhaps one of the best uses of this herbal root. Ginger is covered with wild yeast. This property can be effectively used to make a ginger bug.
Ginger bug refers to collections of yeasts and bacteria that colonize a jar of sweetened ginger. This concoction is extremely easy to make and excellent for a homemade soda. A ginger bug is a starter culture turning fruit juice or sweet herbal tea into a bubbly homemade drink. All you need is filtered water, sugar, and ginger. Sugar is excellent for probiotic bacteria. Additionally, the longer the soda ferments, the less sugar there is in the final drink.
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A ginger bug is a bacterial starter needed to make soda. It ferments ginger root in water and sugar and, this fermented ginger liquid can be added to the juice. It can be made into sweetened tea. Fermented homemade sodas using ginger bug are quite popular. Adding ginger bug to the soda adds good bacteria to the drink. The ginger bug bacteria eat sugar in the juice/tea and creates CO2 and lactic acid. The resulting brew is fizzy. It is also probiotic.
A ginger bug is fermented. It is a starter culture. It’s like a sourdough starter for bread or SCOBY for kombucha. Ferment root beer, homemade sodas and ginger ales using ginger bug. It is ideal for crafting healthy drinks right from the comfort of your kitchen.
By using these three ingredients – sugar, water, and organic ginger root – the ginger bug captures wild yeast or bacteria that eat sugar. These emit carbon dioxide as a waste product, adding to the natural fizz of bubbles. This drink is excellent for a sweet fizzy drink for refreshment on hot days.
This naturally carbonated soda produces lactic acid bacteria or gut-friendly bacteria. Sugar feeds the bacteria and yeast. Raw, unrefined sugar works best.
Once the starter culture is active, it can be added to any juice, tea, or liquid to make soda. Replenishing the starter to protect its live culture is essential, as it is for making new batches of drinks. It is recommended to use organic ginger as this has not undergone irradiation. Irradiation destroys good yeast and bacteria.
Sodas made using ginger bug have a strong, pungent taste. So it is recommended to add herbal teas or juices to the probiotic mixture for best results. The flavor depends on the wild yeasts and bacteria present in the drink. Each batch of homemade soda using ginger bug is therefore associated with a unique taste!
Making ginger bug from scratch is easy. Here’s how you can combine ginger bug with tea to make a soda.
There you have it! These homemade recipes made using a ginger bug are mind-blowingly simple. All you need to do is get the ginger bug ready and going. Add juice or tea, and et voila, your ginger bug homemade soda is waiting for you! This refreshing summery drink is excellent for the hot days. It also serves as an excellent catalyst for digestive health. As it is fermented, probiotic soda, it is excellent for curing stomach ailments too. So, what are you waiting for? Bring out that mason jar and start making your delicious homemade soda today!