Description
Learn how to make a natural ginger bug at home to use as a starter for fermenting homemade sodas. This probiotic-rich ginger bug adds natural carbonation to beverages like ginger ale or root beer.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Ginger Bug:
- 2 cups filtered water
- 2 teaspoons fresh ginger (grated, with peel)
- 2 teaspoons sugar (organic cane sugar recommended)
- additional ginger and sugar for daily feeding
Instructions
- In a clean glass jar, combine the water, grated ginger, and sugar. Stir well with a non-metal utensil until the sugar dissolves. Cover the jar with a cloth or coffee filter secured with a rubber band. Leave at room temperature, away from direct sunlight.
- Feed the bug daily by adding 1 teaspoon grated ginger and 1 teaspoon sugar. Stir well each time. After 3–7 days, the mixture should become bubbly and slightly sour with a light ginger aroma—signs that it’s active and ready for use. Once active, store in the fridge and feed once a week to maintain.
Notes
- Use only non-chlorinated water and organic ginger if possible to avoid antimicrobial residues.
- The ginger bug is used as a natural starter to ferment homemade sodas like ginger ale or root beer.
- Always use clean utensils to avoid contamination.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Fermenting
- Cuisine: Global
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
- Calories: 10
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
