Alien vs. SCOBY?
It’s the question on your mind, right?
Wait, what? It’s not? Then forgive me, but you probably haven’t encountered a SCOBY before. But before we get into what a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast is, let’s take a step back.
I don’t know about you, but creating things in the kitchen helps untangle my mind and allows me to gain focus, especially when I’m making something new. The rush I get from the early research on technique and which ingredients mix well together is almost as fun as making the thing itself.
And I’m not talking about a Sunday night baked chicken, but the things we often take for granted; consumables so readily available in grocery stores that come in glass and plastic bottles we quickly toss away. I admit it. Avoiding single-use plastics and other unnecessary waste to reduce my carbon footprint, gives me great pleasure. but this isn’t the only reason I do this. It’s the thrill of experiencing first-hand how things are made that drives me most. And controlling what goes into my body.
Homemade kombucha is easier than you think
One such venture added to my list is homemade kombucha. A word that once meant nothing to most westerners and has since become a household name. Apart from that first time I tried it when I thought I caught botulism, I have since found the bitter-sharp tang and palate-cleansing after-bite most refreshing. Coupled with the low-sugar and zero calorie ingredients, what other soft drink offers such health benefits while begging you take another sip? Fruity-sweet and sour with a side of probiotics? Yes, please!
The best part is that making it is far simpler than you ever imagined.
With tons of online resources available to learn how to ferment this ancient brew, I’ll focus on my own experience instead and the great flavor combinations I’ve discovered. I first need to get something off my chest.
The SCOBY.
Short for, symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast, the SCOBY is the mystery meat that makes this all possible. Some call it the mother, which draws out memories of James Cameron’s Alien movies because, not only does it pump out continuous offspring, it may very well be the ugliest living specimen alive or imagined. Picture the Blob with the Alien Queen’s reproduction capabilities. Feeling unimaginative? Don’t worry. Just take a closer look at my personal pet mother blob alien above.
Get me now? I thought you might. Raising your own pet SCOBY can be great inspiration for science fiction and fantasy writers. Just check out the title of this blog if you don’t believe me. Need more help? How about Harry Potter and the Enchanted SCOBY? Nightmare on SCOBY Street? SCOBY’s on a Plane? Nobody would fly again.
But let’s not judge the SCOBY too hastily because without it, there’d be no kombucha. And without kombucha, companies like Coca Cola wouldn’t become richer.
Joking-not-joking aside, if you’re like me, it feels fulfilling to create things. Whether that’s kombucha, sourdough bread, a trap door for that annoying friend, your next story or kombucha, you’ll never know how it feels unless you try. And whether or not the end result is what you set out to achieve, the journey can be as rewarding.
If you’re ready for your next adventure, here are my Top 5 kombucha flavor combinations. You can find complete recipes all over the internet. I got started by using the recipes in Kombucha and Co, but there are other great sources out there too. Here’s a video if you’re feeling lazy. Now get out and have some fun!
Top 5 kombucha flavors:
Plum, ginger, red hot chili pepper
Green apple, ginger, red hot chili pepper
Green grape (beware of exploding bottles)
Orange, passion fruit
Lemongrass & kaffir lime leaf