The word is kombucha made from mushrooms in the name of kombucha is misleading – this drink does not contain any mushrooms at all, and neither does it make use of any of their fungi. The only association that kombucha has with mushrooms is the fact that its yeast belongs to the kingdom of Fungi, which also includes mushrooms. This is not enough to call kombucha mushroom tea though, since mushrooms are quite different biologically from yeasts.
The connection between kombucha and mushrooms has probably been kept up because of the way the SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast) used to ferment the drink looks like a mushroom with its circular shape and brown and tan color. It is this SCOBY that has been referred to as the mushroom in the name of the drink, but this association is entirely unfounded.
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It is possible to grow the SCOBY in your own kitchen, as long as you follow the instructions to prepare and store it correctly. The SCOBY should be placed in a clean glass or porcelain vessel that has no metal parts. Metal reacts with the acids in the kombucha, destroying the SCOBY and possibly contaminating the tea. Only high-quality bottled kombucha is recommended for consumption as it will have undergone extensive processing by the manufacturer.
The kombucha needs to be stored in a warm, peaceful place that is protected from sunlight and other sources of heat. It should not be agitated and never shaken or otherwise disturbed. The ideal temperature for the kombucha is around 68F, but it can be cooler or warmer depending on your climate.