EPISODE 9: Probiotic Ginger Beer

Description

In our 9th episode, Christine Perala Gardiner shows us how to make Probiotic Ginger Beer to promote healthy gut flora and increase vitality in the coming winter months! Ginger beer is a naturally fizzy beverage with a sweet and spicy bite. Grated ginger is fermented in sugar water and citrus juice, allowing natural yeasts in the ginger to feed off the sugar and multiply, creating probiotics. Raw Ginger is anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and known to ease digestive discomfort such as nausea, excessive gas, bloating, and diarrhea. It is a wonderful and warming root which stimulates blood flow and circulation in all areas of the body.

Ginger Beer differs from Ginger Ale (soda) which is typically made with carbonated water, ginger flavoring, and processed white sugar. It does not undergo the same fermentation process as Ginger Beer. The authentic method of making Ginger Beer uses a “Ginger Bug” or “Ginger Starter” that you can make at home. In this episode, Christine uses a jun SCOBY (symbiotic culture of bacteria & yeast) as a suitable alternative to a Ginger Bug. Both methods have their own styles and flavors to explore.

Christine and her late husband John Gardiner have been active community members contributing to food sovereignty in the Illinois Valley. As Environmental Scientists turned Farmers, for over 20 years they owned & operated Siskiyou Alpaca, a leader in sustainable livestock production in SW Oregon and NW California offering food, fiber, and medicine. They have been passionate about improving the health of all people, our land, and planet.

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Earth Scouts! is a program of Spiral Living Center, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization serving the Illinois Valley since 2006.