I love Ginger Beer. I have read/heard that it is pretty easy to make and that the homemade stuff can be way better than the readily available kind. I decided to give it a try. After reading around, I found that the first step is to make a ginger bug. It is not actually a bug - just a fermenting ginger/sugar mixture :)

Making the Bug

I followed this recipe. Here are some tips that I gathered:

• Non-irradiated ginger is recommended - if it is irradiated the bacteria may not be able to thrive on it. Organic ginger is your best bet for this.
• Use non-chlorinated water - chlorine kills microbes. Easiest way is to get bottled water, but there are ways to de-chlorinate tap water too.

My result:

Next

I will keep following the recipe instructions by feeding the bug sugar and ginger. Hopefully it will start fermenting after a few days and I can make a post about making something with it. The obvious ‘something’ is ginger beer, but it seems any sufficiently sugary liquids can be fermented using the bug. Here is a recipe for fruit/tea soda.

Links

• About the Ginger Bug - describes what it is and how to make one
• Recipe - a good recipe with pictures, I followed this one as much as possible
• Ginger Bug Sodas - there are a lot things to do with your ginger bug
• De-chlorinating water - safely using tap water for fermentation