How to Grow Your Own Kombucha Mother or SCOBY

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Many people are interested in obtaining a Kombucha mother to start their first Kombucha brew. However, it is not easy (in some sense) because there are not that many people brewing Kombucha in Malaysia. My mother-in-law got hers from a friend of hers, thus started our family's journey to a whole new world of brewing Kombucha and Water Kefir.

Do not despair if you are not able to obtain your own Kombucha mother because there is a way to grow a new Kombucha mother easily, though it will take more than 2 weeks to form.

I have searched and found these videos which will show you the step by step method of growing a Kombucha mother.

Here's an interesting information! My friend told me that even if you do not have any starter Kombucha tea to start with, you are still able to grow a mother with just the water, sugar and tea. Maybe will try this out one day.

Please make sure that all the utensils you use are cleaned and properly sterilised before you start!

Here are the videos. Hope you enjoy them!


Warm regards,
Sany Woo

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Tibicos or Water Kefir's Healing Properties

The healing properties of Tibicos were already known to the ancient societies of China and India. Tibicos can be found around the world, with no two cultures being exactly the same. However, the actual origin of Tibicos is still unknown.

This unique culture is known by different names in different parts of the world such as Chinese Mushrooms, the grains of the Prophet Mohammed, Indian Rice, Tibi, Water Kefir Grains, Sugar Kefir Grains, Japanese Water Crystals and California Bees.

Tibicos has antimutagenic and antioxidant properties, and can possibly be used to prevent mutagenic and oxidative damage in the human body.


Healing Properties of Tibicos

• live probiotic
• gives energy
• improve metabolism
• have youthful effect on body cells
• strengthen heart
• inhibit cancer cells growing
• replace antibiotics in asthma and respiratory inflammations
• clear nose and gives relief from symptoms of cold and flu
• prevent forming, break down and remove from body kidney and liver stones
• effective arthritis relief
• lowers blood sugar level
• natural detoxifier
  

How To Produce This Healthy Drink?

The Tibicos drink can be created by growing the Tibicos mushroom. Here’s how to do it:

1. Place the Tibicos mushroom and water (the water must be clean and chlorine-free) into a clean glass container (use alcohol or distilled white vinegar to clean the container if necessary).

2. Add brown sugar with 1 spoonful of sugar per 3 spoonful of Tibicos.

3. Cover the container with a piece of clean cloth and fasten it with a rubber band. This is because the Tibicos need oxygen to live and reproduce.

4. Place the container in an undisturbed area to ferment for 24-48 hours. If you leave the Tibicos to ferment over a longer period of time, this will increases the sour taste significantly due to an increases in the folic acid content.

5. Strain the golden liquid into a clean glass. (Use a plastic strainer and spoon because a stainless steel strainer will react against the Tibicos)

6. Drink the Tibicos liquid, preferrably in morning and on an empty stomach. If there’s any spare drink, you can store it in the refrigirator.

7. Repeat the procedures to create the next batch of Tibicos drink.

Please remember that frequent cleaning or rinsing the container may wipe out baby Tibicos.

You would have quite a large quantity of Tibicos after repeating the same procedures many times. Share the extra Tibicos with your friends and family so that all of you are able to benefit from the healing properties of Tibicos.

Here is a site where you can find tibicos owners willing to share their spare tibicos grains with you.


Warm regards,
Sany Woo
P.S. I found a site dedicated to educating the public about Tibicos which contains a wealth of information. Find out more about Tibicos, Tibicos recipes, how to store Tibicos and more! Click here to go to the site.

Eats You Can Afford

Eats you can afford by Richard Augustin

Suffering a case of tight wallet syndrome doesn't mean you have to forgo delicious meals. Here are easy thrifty recipes you can try at home.

The current economic slowdown has gotten everybody in a pickle resulting in consumers being not as frivolous with the ringgit as they once were.

Prices of goods are on the rise and as people find a common ground in trying to taper their spending, more and more of us are – for the lack of a better term – tight fisted with money these days.

Food is one of the first things that seem to hit most of us during this economic slowdown with the majority of the public now changing their eating habits and have gone so far to opt from dining out in order to save a little cash.

Restaurants are realising this too as more eateries and franchises, even fast food ones, offering special "value for money" offers in order to make up for this current deficit.

But if you want something a little more substantial, nutritious and tasty compared to salted fish, soy sauce and steam rice on a daily basis, then do take heed of these meal suggestions (from RM5 to RM30) you can attempt at home. We guarantee they'll satisfy your hunger pangs without putting a dent into your wallet.

Best for RM5

Although the omelette is widely considered as a breakfast item, it's also versatile enough to be had at any time of the day especially with a wide variety of ingredients added in.

A three-egg Spanish omelette, for example, is perfect to satisfy that hunger pang or as a quick snack. To make the omelette more appetising and fulfilling, use chopped onions, sliced bell peppers and mushrooms with a little shredded cheddar cheese for the filling.

If you're the carnivorous type, some sliced sausages, chopped ham and bacon bits will definitely work a treat.

Start off by heating the pan with a little oil, sweat the onions and add in the peppers, mushrooms and meat items. Cook for a minute and add in beaten eggs into the mix, cook until eggs are set and add in pepper and salt to taste and cheddar cheese before folding. Set into plate and add in a dash of Tabasco sauce before serving. (Serves two persons)

Best for RM15

Spaghetti is a cheap option as it's easier to store, cook with and most importantly saves you time and money.

Plus, pasta sauces these days come in all sort of flavours, which you can also easily modify on your own.

For added variety and a bit more of a kick, do consider adding in canned tuna or meat items like sliced chicken fillets or minced beef for a meatier option to the dish.

A quick boil of the pasta and a saucepan is all that's needed for this hearty pasta meal. A dash of pepper and salt with a sprinkle of rosemary herbs to the meat and a quick stir-fry in a little olive oil (before adding in the pasta sauce) will add a little depth to the dish. Throw in chopped peppers and sliced mushrooms.

For a more Malaysian flavour, feel free to sprinkle in some dried chillie flakes to the dish as well. (Serves three to four)

Best for RM30

Nothing is heartier than a roast chicken meal and even though it takes a little preparation time, it's easy enough to do on your own.

All you need is a whole chicken (patted dry) marinated with butter or olive oil, thyme, rosemary or basil, a dash of Worcestershire sauce and a tablespoon of Montreal Chicken Seasoning.

Marinate the chicken with the ingredients – especially inside the cavity – and tie the bird up around the wing and thigh area before placing in the roasting pan.

Preheat oven to about 180 to 200 degree Celsius and place a few potatoes (wrapped in aluminium foil) into the pan as well. Roast the chicken for approximately one hour and 15 minutes or until done; you can tell by the golden brown skin colour.

To make absolutely sure, prick the side of the chicken thigh to see if there's a clear juice oozing out of it. Once you're sure it's done, remove the chicken and leave it aside to cool.

Cut the chicken into quarters and serve with a portion of baked potato. Last but not least, toss in a few salad leaves or a scoop of baked beans to complete your meal. (Serves four)