Hops in Kombucha?
Can You Put Hops in Kombucha?
If you've ever thought about spicing up your kombucha with a hint of beer-like flavor, then you may have thought about adding hops to the brew. But, can you really put hops in kombucha? You can! Join us as we dive into the world of hopped-up kombucha!
Why Add Hops to Kombucha?
Adding hops to kombucha can help to improve the flavor profile of your homebrew. Hops contain essential oils that give the kombucha a sweet and citrusy note, as well as providing a light bitterness to the beverage. By adding hops to your kombucha, you can make a more complex, well-rounded, and flavorful kombucha to enjoy. If you are making kombucha as a non-alcoholic beverage alternative, hops can help provide a flavor reminiscent of beer. Keep in mind that kombucha often has trace amounts of alcohol, so your brew might not be completely alcohol free.
What Are the Health Benefits of Hops?
Hops have been used in brewing since the 11th century, but aside from their traditional uses in beer-making, hops also have a reputation as an effective natural remedy for reducing anxiety and promoting relaxation.
The calming effect of hops comes from a variety of compounds within in the hop flower. This includes bitter acids, polyphenols, flavonoids, and more. These compounds in hops act on the central nervous system, providing an overall relaxing effect on the body and mind. Studies have shown that hops have been to reduce anxiety, stress, and insomnia in both humans and animals.
Hops Kombucha Recipe
Here is an easy kombucha idea inspired by grapefruit sour beers:
Take 1L kombucha through its first stage of fermentation, and when it’s time, remove the scoby and add in 1/8th of a large grapefruit and 1 tablespoon of dried hops flowers for your flavor-infusing fermentation step.
Let your kombucha sit and carbonate as you normally would, and strain when you are ready to enjoy.