4. Re: What Is In Kombucha

[Guest guest]

Alcohol Content: Most research indicates that the alcohol

production peaks earlier in the ferment. For example a 6-8

day ferment at 80F, the highest alcohol content, may be at

1% at day 3 and them reduces as the alcohol is converted to

acids leveling off to about 1/2 of 1% day 8. This seems to

go along with the taste as the ferment becomes more acetic

as time goes on. However in the Cornell Study

(http://www.happyherbalist.com/analysis_of_kt_cornell.htm)

.....(11). The secondary biochemical activity of Acetobacter

is the oxidation of glucose to gluconic acid ... Acetic acid

concentrations may rise to levels as high as 30 g/L (3%) if

the tea is allowed to ferment for up to 30 days (12). The

usual concentration of acetic acid consumed in Kombucha is

10 g/L (1%) (4). Gluconic acid is also present in

substantial quantities, about 20 g/L (2%) (13). ..... When

the fermentation was allowed to continue beyond the desired

endpoint, the acidity reached levels as high as 24 g/L

(2.4%) acetic acid, with 14 g/L (1.4%) ethanol. ... "

Which yeasts are active play a critical role as well as

which bacteria.

The above values are based upon the common kombucha

identified as a acetic acid ferment not those identified as

a lactic acid ferment, whose values may be different (see

previous discussions ( Re: 3a. Re: GT ... 30 days?). As

other kombucha researchers conclude kombucha tea is a

balancing act between acetic acid, gluconic acid, and

fructose.

If you are not an alcohol sensitive person....

Many people also share your experience and IMO, may not be

related to the alcohol production as such. IMO, this affect

may be related to KT lowering the blood pressure. [in TCM,

opens the blood vessels and increases the speed, where the

volume of blood stays the same, this would cause sudden

fainting] If you have a home Blood Pressure kit try taking

your BP first thing in the am. then prior to drinking KT,

and then afterwards. As a reliable indictor this must be

done several times to show a pattern. May also be related

to a sudden pH shift, similar to the after effects of a hot

shower. You can monitor your pH via pH strips. Typical

strips in the range 5-9, by 1/3 increments may not be

register any change and a digital meter will be accurate,

where the change is otherwise too small for a strip.

Never-the-less the strips are cheap and may still be

valuable. Simply to use just place in your urine stream and

color match.

Ed Kasper LAc. Licensed Acupuncturist & Herbalist

Acupuncture is a jab well done

www.HappyHerbalist.com Santa Cruz, CA.

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4. Re: What Is In Kombucha

Posted by: " BSPMerced@... " BSPMerced@...

patstribling3

Date: Thu Aug 17, 2006 6:43 pm (PDT)

I still think that the Kombucha has alcohol in it. Some of

my brew

foams like beer when poured over ice, and has a sharp, tangy

taste

that is very nice. Also, after a large glass of that, I am

more relaxed

than usual (instead of being an A type, I'm told by family

that I'm a C-)

and just want to take a nap.

Pat in CA