A ginger bug is not some new kind of pest, it's a natural starter culture used by many people who make their own soda pop and probiotic drinks. Proponents of home fermentation believe the ginger bug helps create beverages that are naturally fizzy while also having gut-friendly characteristics. In this post, the makers of Rocky Mountain vegan natural soda explain the ginger bug and how it's made.
Let's Start at the Beginning: What is a Ginger Bug Starter?
A ginger bug starter is also known as a ferment starter or starter culture. The job of the starter culture is to initiate the fermentation process. So why is fermentation used to create homemade soda? For several reasons. Fermentation can enhance flavor and extend shelf life. But most of all because it produces carbon dioxide that will give the soda its bubbly quality. It should be noted that commercial soda makers do not use a starter culture. Instead, they inject carbon dioxide directly into the soda mix to produce the bubbles.
"Ginger Bug is a liquid culture full of beneficial probiotics made from fresh ginger, sugar, and water. It's easy to make, taking a week or less. Then it can be used to craft homemade ginger ale, sarsaparilla, fruit-flavored sodas, tonics, and more all teeming with natural carbonation."
—Poppy's Wild Kitchen
A ginger bug starter specifically is made by culturing fresh ginger with sugar and water. Over the course of several days lactic acid bacteria and yeast feed on the sugar. Here's a crib notes version of what takes place:
The end result is a probiotic-rich mixture that is used in homemade pops like root beer and ginger ale. When the bug is added to the other soda ingredients the trapped CO2 produces carbonation.
Ginger Bug Ingredients
There is nothing mysterious about making a ginger bug and you only need a few simple ingredients (along with some patience). The following is what you will need:
- Fresh ginger root
- Granulated sugar
- Filtered or dechlorinated water
You will also need equipment, including:
- A 1-quart mason jar
- Some type of non-metallic stirrer (a wooden spoon if you have one)
- A paper towel and elastic band
- A kitchen scale (optional)
How to Make a Ginger Bug
Getting Started
- Finely chop or grate 2 tablespoons of fresh ginger and add it to your jar.
- Add 2 tablespoons of sugar to the jar.
- Add 1 cup of water to the jar and stir the contents well until sugar is dissolved.
- Cover the top of the jar with a paper towel and secure it using the elastic band.
- Put the jar in a dark place with a temperature between 70-80° Fahrenheit.
Days 2 through 5: Feeding the bug
Starting on day 2 add 1 tablespoon of finely chopped ginger and 1 tablespoon of sugar each day. Stir well until the sugar is dissolved. Then replace the paper towel cover.
At some point between the 3rd and 5th days, you should notice signs of fermentation, including:
- A sour or yeasty smell
- Tiny bubbles rising through the mixture
- The mixture fizzing when stirred
If you do not notice any of these signs by the end of day 5 move the jar to a warmer spot or try feeding it for a few more days as described above.
Once the ginger bug is bubbly you should either use some of it (1/4 to 1/2) as a starter culture for your home soda pop recipes or store it in the fridge to keep it viable. If you do store it in the fridge for any length of time you should feed it once a week with a tablespoon of ginger and a tablespoon of sugar. Don't forget to stir to dissolve the sugar and to re-cover the jar.
Using Your Ginger Bug
We mentioned that once the ginger bug is active you should use it or refrigerate it. But how do you use it? Here's how to use it to create your own soda:
- Sweeten some tea or juice with sugar or honey.
- Make sure everything has cooled to room temperature.
- Add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of ginger bug to the tea or juice and stir.
- Pour the resulting mixture into airtight bottles.
- Leave the bottles out of direct sunlight at room temperature for 2-4 days to carbonate.
- Then refrigerate them to prevent the soda from bursting forth when you open the bottles.
Some Tips to Increase Your Odds of Success
- Avoid dried ginger as it tends to lack the wild yeasts found in fresh ginger.
- Don't use tap water as chlorine can stunt the fermentation process. Use filtered water instead.
- Don't skip feed days as missing a feeding day can kill the budding culture.
- Be on the lookout for black, green or pink mold. If you see it you will need to discard the mix and start over.
- Be patient as the whole process may take more than a week.
Remember: if there are no bubbles after 4-5 days either move the mixture to a warmer place or feed it for a few more days. And if you notice a foul or rotten smell you'll have to discard the mixture and start over. Also, while a ginger bug starter as described above is generally considered vegan, it is not considered kosher because the process produces a small amount of alcohol. For this reason, Rocky Mountain Soda does not use ginger bugs to make our all-natural soda.
Why Not Use Commercial Yeast?
People making their own soda pop prefer ginger bugs over commercial yeasts because of the belief that naturally occurring yeasts within the ginger bug produce more complex flavors. Those making probiotic drinks also believe naturally occurring yeast creates a more complex and wide-ranging probiotic profile. So, even though a ginger bug requires more work they consider it to be worth it.
Conclusion
The ginger bug is easy to make, affordable, does not require any specialized equipment, and provides a natural way to create tasty homemade beverages. Yes, you will need to remember to feed it regularly and keep an eye and nose out for mold, lack of fizziness, and foul odors but the results can be very satisfying.
The Bottom Line
There you have it. Everything you need to create your own ginger bug and get moving on your quest to produce your own homemade beverages. Just keep in mind that although a ginger bug contains no GMOs and is gluten-free it is not considered kosher, unlike Rocky Mountain soda which is all those things and more. If you're looking for a craft soda that will tantalize your tastebuds and quench your thirst it's time you tried Rocky Mountain Soda.
