Ginger Bug
Quick Info
🛒 Ingredients
Starter
- 2 cups filtered or bottled spring water (chlorine-free)
- 1 tbsp organic ginger, unpeeled and diced into 1/4-inch pieces
- 1 tbsp organic raw cane sugar
Daily Feeding (For 1 Week)
🍳 Equipment
📋 Instructions
- Prep Ginger: Wash whole organic ginger and pat dry. Leave skin on and chop into 1/4-inch pieces.
- Start Starter: Pour 2 cups water into a sterilized quart jar. Add 1 tbsp chopped ginger and 1 tbsp raw sugar; stir. Cover with breathable cloth and secure with a rubber band. Place at room temperature out of direct sunlight.
- Daily Feeding: Every day, add 2 tsp chopped ginger and 2 tsp raw sugar. Stir briefly and replace cloth. Repeat daily for 4–7 days until active and bubbly.
- Harvest & Store: Strain bug into a clean jar, discarding spent ginger solids. Use liquid to brew probiotic soda.
- Replenish harvested liquid with equal parts filtered water, 1 tbsp chopped ginger, and 1 tbsp raw sugar. Store in the refrigerator and feed weekly with 1 tbsp ginger and 1 tbsp sugar.
💡 Notes & Variations
- Always use unpeeled organic ginger, as wild yeasts and beneficial bacteria reside primarily on the skin.
- If the bug develops mold or an unpleasant odor, discard completely and start fresh.