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Homebrew Kombucha Guide: Brew White Cedar Flavor Kombucha at Home

Discover the method to infuse your kombucha with white cedar (Thuya occidentalis), a regional, boreal drink. Loaded with vitamin C, white cedar makes a wholesome addition...

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Brewing Kombucha with White Cedar: A Boreal, Vitamin C-Rich Treat! Using Thuya occidentalis, also...
Brewing Kombucha with White Cedar: A Boreal, Vitamin C-Rich Treat! Using Thuya occidentalis, also known as white cedar, this local ingredient infuses kombucha with unique flavor...

Homebrew Kombucha Guide: Brew White Cedar Flavor Kombucha at Home

Get Your Hands on a Boreal Buzz 🍽️ 🍽️ Learn how to kick up your kombucha game with white cedar for a locally sourced, Canadian brew!

White cedar (Thuya occidentalis) is a health bomb rich in vitamin C and boasts benefits such as fighting infections and Relieving the respiratory tract, making it an ideal ingredient for your pantry.

When infused, this Northern gem offers a pronounced, coniferous taste with a lemony aftertaste and even hints of strawberries! Its natural bitterness pairs perfectly with that of kombucha.

If you're lacking a lush white cedar grove in your backyard, don't sweat it! Grab some 100% Canadian white cedar from our online shop!

Join the ranks of the wilderness with our EPIC homebrew recipe for white cedar kombucha! A drink that'll take you on a Quebec forest adventure, one sip at a time!

To learn more about Canada's wild flavors, check out A Guide to Infusing Canadian Plants into Fermented Drinks.

White Cedar Kombucha Recipe

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Equipment

  • Wide mouth jar (around 4 litres)
  • Cloth and rubber band to cover the jar
  • Small pot
  • Filter

Ingredients

  • 1 kombucha scoby and its liquid culture (around 350 ml)
  • 12 g black or green tea
  • 200 g sugar
  • 2.5 L chlorine-free or filtered water (+ 4 cups of water for decoction)
  • 12 g white cedar (Thuya occidentalis)
  • 100 g honey

Instructions

Infusion and Fermentation

  1. Pour 500ml of boiling water into the jar, add tea, and allow it to steep for 10 minutes. Remove the tea.
  2. Dissolve sugar in the jar, then add water (total of 3 litres; the mixture should be lukewarm).
  3. Add the kombucha scoby with its liquid culture.
  4. Cover the container with the cloth and rubber band.
  5. Let it ferment for 10 to 15 days, at room temperature. Taste daily to monitor the fermentation progress. Remove the kombucha scoby and 2 cups of liquid when you reach your preferred flavor. Hold onto it for your next kombucha brew.

Adding the Cedar Flavor

  1. Rinse the cedar with hot water.
  2. Place the cedar in a small saucepan, cover with 1 litre of water, and simmer for 20 minutes. Strain to remove the cedar. Add honey, let it cool, and set aside.
  3. Add 3 cups of cedar decoction to the 3 litres of kombucha.
  4. Store the concoction in pressure-resistant bottles.
  5. Let the bottles sit at room temperature for a few days to build up the fizz. Refrigerate when the kombucha is appropriately fizzy (mind the pressure).

Grab your favorite rocking chair and get ready to savor the refreshing, nostalgic flavors of this tasty beverage reminiscent of your suburban backyard!

Get the Tools!

Get Started!

  • Pick up 100% Canadian White Cedar Leaves
  • Gather supplies for making kombucha
  • Our Boreal Kombucha Guidebook
  • Learn how to make homemade kombucha
  • Discover all our bold kombucha recipes

Enrichment Data:

Infusing white cedar (Thuya occidentalis) into kombucha can create a unique and aromatic beverage. Make the most of those Northern woods with our easy-to-follow homebrew recipe!

Ingredients:

  • Fresh, pesticide-free white cedar leaves or branches (dried or fresh)
  • Basic kombucha brew (black tea and green tea sweetened with sugar, diluted with water)
  • Cheesecloth or a fine-mesh strainer
  • Glass jar with a lid
  • Wooden spoon or stirrer

Instructions

  1. Make the Kombucha: Follow a standard kombucha recipe using black or green tea. For a basic recipe, brew 4 cups of steeped tea sweetened with 1 cup of sugar, then dilute with 8 cups of cool water[2].
  2. Prepare the White Cedar Infusion: Collect fresh white cedar leaves or branches. Clean them and set them aside.
  3. Infuse the Kombucha with White Cedar: Place a few sprigs of fresh or dried white cedar into your kombucha liquid. Start with 1-2 tablespoons of fresh or 1 teaspoon of dried cedar per quart of kombucha.
  4. Steep the Mixture: Cover the jar and let it sit in a cool, dark place for several hours to overnight, depending on desired flavor intensity.
  5. Strain and Bottle: Use cheesecloth or a fine-mesh strainer to filter out the cedar from the kombucha. Taste and adjust if needed. Transfer the infused kombucha to glass bottles and refrigerate.

Safety Consideration

  • Caution with Cedar Consumption: While white cedar has been used in some traditional remedies, ensure the parts used are safe for consumption and free of contaminants. Always consult with a healthcare professional before trying new herbs or plant materials.
  1. Venture into the realm of science and health-and-wellness by learning about the medicinal properties of white cedar (Thuya occidentalis).
  2. For a tasty fusion of health-and-wellness and food-and-drink, explore the art of infusing locally sourced white cedar into your homebrew kombucha.
  3. If you're interested in Broadway-style performances in the kitchen, experiment with global cuisines by creating your own unique recipes using healthy-cooking techniques and white cedar.
  4. As your lifestyle evolves, consider embracing new practices such as fitness-and-exercise and wellness trends like kombucha-making, which also introduces you to the exciting world of recipes and food-and-drink infusions using white cedar.

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