FERMENTED SODA: Carbonated Goodness
BY AIDAN CESSOR PHOTOS BY SONIA CHANG
Homemade soda can be so much more than carbonated water and yucky syrup. By using water kefir grains, you can make any flavor of soda imaginable into a healthy and delicious beverage to quench your thirst. prep
20 minutes
cook
5-9 days
INGREDIENTS
½ medium, firm sweet apples 1 packet of water kefir grains ginger 1 ½ cup of hot water 8 cups of cold water
makes
3-4 servings
EQUIPMENT
Two-quart mason jar Cheesecloth or coffee filter Rubber band Fliptop bottles
1 — Activation 1. Dissolve ¼ cup of brown sugar in ½ cup of warm water. 2. Pour sugar mixture and 3 cups of cold water between 68°-85° F into the mason jar. 3. Add grains. 4. Cover jar with cheesecloth/coffee filter with rubber band/string. 5. Store between 68°-85° F for 3-4 days.
2 — Fermentation 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Strain grains out and discard liquid. Dissolve ½ cup plus 2 Tbsp of brown sugar in 1 cup of hot water. Pour sugar mixture and 5 cups of cold water into the mason jar. Cover with cheesecloth/coffee filter lid. Store between 68°-85° F for 1-2 days.
3 — Second Fermentation 1. Fill fliptop bottles while straining out the grains. Make sure to save the grains for future batches. Leave 2 inches of headspace in each bottle. 2. Add flavorings to each bottle plus 1-2 Tbsps of brown sugar to each bottle. 3. Store bottles at room temperature, and burp them every day. 4. After 1-3 days, store in the fridge. 5. You can reuse the grains by starting at the Fermentation section.
FLAVORING IDEAS Mint—tenderly muddle leaves before adding to bottle Lemon—squeeze half a lemon and add slice for every bottle Coconut—do 3 parts base liquid and 1 part coconut water for every bottle Base recipe adapted from Joshua Weissman and Cultures For Health. 26 bite | spring fall 2021 2021 26
