A ginger bug is a naturally fermented traditional base you can make at home with a bit of real ginger and some sugar. It will form the base for many delicious drinks, including ginger soda, kombucha, and teas. What an amazing way to get added probiotics into your diet!
Ingredients:
Ginger, Sugar, and Water
Day 1
Grate 2-4 Tablespoons fresh ginger rooted, organic (if possible), unpeeled
Add 2 Tablespoons sugar
Cover with 2 cups of water in a pint or quart Mason jar.
Cover the jar with a paper towel, clean cloth, or coffee filter and secure with a rubber band to keep little critters out.
Day 2
Grate 2 tablespoons fresh unpeeled ginger
Add 2 more tablespoons of sugar, the ginger, and again, core with water -- about 2 Tablespoons should do it.
Day 3
Same as the second day
You should be seeing bubbling at the surface by now, but if you are not, don't worry. It can take up to a week, depending on temperature and the quality of the ginger root.
Day 4 - Day 7
Keep doing the same thing. This will maintain the feeding.
Eventually, you will have enough liquid to get your Ginger soda going. You will need about 1/2 cup strained liquid or so to start your sodas fermentation process.
*You need to keep up with it daily, as with any fermentation starter.
Just like with a sourdough starter, you can put it in the fridge and just feed it once a week. If you want to use it, take it out of the fridge and get it a basic feeding, as in Day 2, and allow it to get bubbly again. It may take a day or two, but it should revive just fine.
How to use your Ginger Bug
Soda making
Strain off about 1/2 cup starter, a half cup sugar, and combine with half-gallonof juice, water kefir, or tea. Allow to ferment for a few days. Then enjoy.
You may also add your ginger starter to any cup of liquid you'd like to drink it with.
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