Everything about SCOBY
A SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast) is a symbiotic fermentation culture that is used to make kombucha.
The SCOBY is made up of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), acetic acid bacteria (AAB), and yeast, which contribute to the delicious flavor of your favorite kombucha.
What is a SCOBY made of?
SCOBY stands for "Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast." When yeast and bacteria combine, they cause fermentation of the tea and sugar. Let's take a closer look at the essential ingredients in the SCOBY.
Symbiotic: An interaction between two organisms of different species. The type of symbiosis that SCOBY exhibits is mutualism, where both organisms benefit from the fermentation process.
Culture: The growth of microorganisms in a specific medium. In Kombucha's case, the microorganisms are yeast and bacteria. For the healthy growth of microorganisms in the product, a kombucha culture is crucial.
Bacteria: Kombucha is a combination of healthy bacteria. The bacteria normally found in kombucha include Gluconacetobacter, Lactobacillus nagelii, Gluconobacter, Komagataeibacter, and others. These probiotics can provide many health benefits.
Yeast: The fermentation ingredients that help break down the sugars in the kombucha mixture.
What are the benefits of a SCOBY?
As you may know, kombucha has many health benefits and is lower in sugar than soda. The SCOBY plays an important role in many of those health benefits.
Improve gut health: As mentioned in our other blogs about gut health, having healthy bacteria in your gut is crucial for overall wellness. The bacteria and yeast in SCOBY in your kombucha are one of the many healthy bacteria that help improve gut health.
Fight off bad bacteria: If you have bad bacteria in your system, you can easily develop many diseases. Good bacteria, like those found in a SCOBY, can fight off bad bacteria, which can help you decrease the risk of obesity, protect against diabetes, beat bad breath, protect against kidney stones, improve absorption of nutrients in your food, and avoid weak bones.
Antioxidants: Your kombucha can contain antioxidants, which have many health benefits. Consuming antioxidants consistently may help lower the risk of diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease. The amount of antioxidants in your kombucha may vary depending on the type of tea used to brew it.