Juice added to Kombucha, is it still good for you?

[girlgeek]

Hi,
I've read here that some of the posters add some juice or water or apple cider to the finished kombucha to cut the vinegary taste.

I've brewed several batches since July now and sometimes it's awesomely good after my second ferment (with squeezed ginger) and sometimes I've ended up with something so vinegary I can't drink it. When it's vinegar I clean with it, cook with it, or toss it.
I was always under the impression that it is full of goodness after the brewing time and for fizz, do a second brew.
My question is, is it still probiotic-good-for-you kombucha? Isn't diluting it with water or juice diminishing the effects?
Any thoughts?
Thanks!

[EmeraldGardener]

While I will drink it plain, right from the brewing jar, I prefer it with some flavor and lots of fizz-- I am not sure if it changes how good it is for you by adding a bit of flavoring,, it might make it better for you-- ginger is good for your tummy, blueberries have great anti-oxidants, and while I can't remember why Pomegranate is great for you too. I have been getting an all juice concentrate (concord grape) that is supposed to be for brewing wine and adding a tablespoon to each 16 oz bottle for the second ferment-- holy moly don't add more than that! I did and it got super grapey and sour!! but fizzy like you wouldn't believe!: Oh, try some fresh pineapple too-- the organic jarred pineapple in juice just wasn't as good as the plain pineapple that I cut up. Its like nectar of the Gods! I just wish I could talk the family into drinking a bit more of it than they do.
One side note-- I went out with family and had a bit more to drink than I would have normally and woke up with a killer headache and slight nausea-- sipped a bottle of my KT and it really helped! Not that I recommend going out and over drinking!: But it does happen every once in a while! Just thought I would pass this on!

[westcoastmom]

We like it plain, but we also add fresh juices.

[Bensmommy]

I don't think it diminishes the "goodness" if it gets you drinking it!!! The really vinegary stuff has the most "good" properties, so it's kinda like "concentrated goodness". If adding a splash or two of juice gets it down the ol' esophagus instead of on the kitchen counter or other cleaning surface, I'd say GO FOR IT!!

BTW- cutting it with juice is the only way I can get my 3yo to drink it, so I'd definitely say that some k+juice is better than no K at all!

[tolovemercy]

Originally Posted by Bensmommy

I don't think it diminishes the "goodness" if it gets you drinking it!!! The really vinegary stuff has the most "good" properties, so it's kinda like "concentrated goodness". If adding a splash or two of juice gets it down the ol' esophagus instead of on the kitchen counter or other cleaning surface, I'd say GO FOR IT!!

BTW- cutting it with juice is the only way I can get my 3yo to drink it, so I'd definitely say that some k+juice is better than no K at all!

I agree! When I add juice to mine, I add about 1tb./1 C. Kombucha...so, IMO, the benefits of the tea FAR outweigh the negative effects of a tablespoon of juice.

[girlgeek]

Thanks ladies!
I find that , just like EmeraldGardner when I drink a bit too much (which is rare lately) the next morning I crave the KT and down it as if the next day would be the end of the world...
I like adding the 1 tsp of fresh-squeezed gingerjuice with the second ferment for extra fizz...sometimes just for fun I add a sprinkling of sugar to that too, just to see the thing bubble like champagne later.
I try to avoid stuff with high fructose corn syrup or other similar thing so that's why I was wondering if I'd degrade it by diluting it right before drinking.

I drink KT a lot. Definitely more than 12 oz./day. I don't know the ph level as I've never been able to measure it. I have thick thick scoby's which i think are not so happy anymore cuz it takes a bit longer to brew and they dont come up to the surface as fast anymore...I think I may start from scratch again and forget all the fancy teas i've been trying...sencha, green etc. and just go back to my loose leaf black tea (from afghanistan) and organic C&H sugar...With that combo I had great success.

Anyway, thanks for all the good replies!~