Every culture around the world has their own fermented foods that they regularly consumed for good health. My ancestors from Ukraine understood the many restorative properties of beet kvass. This Lacto-fermented, probiotic-rich tonic is made from beets. This is one of my probiotic staples that I don’t like to be without. This is one of the many things that brought me from chronically ill to healthy and strong in my 50’s. You can read about everything else that I did here.
Many of the benefits include:
1. Better bowel function
2. Liver cleansing
3. Protects against infectious disease
4. Provides an abundant source of vitamins, minerals and enzymes
5. Aids in digestion
6. In Europe, it is used as a cancer therapy.
7. Maintains a healthy gut flora.
8. Alkalizes the blood
9. A good treatment for kidney stones
Easy Beet Kvass Recipe
- Chop your beets into 1/2 inch cubes. Do not shred as this will cause the beets to ferment too fast and the result might produce alcohol instead of lactic acid. I use a large 2-liter jar but you can use any size. I fill the jar 1/3 with beets.
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
- 1 tablespoon grated orange peel
- 1 tablespoon of sea salt
- 2 probiotic capsules
- Filtered water
Place everything in the jar and fill with water. We leave about 1.5 inches of air space in the jar. Stir everything together and then add the probiotics last. Give one last gentle stir. Cover and let sit on your counter for 48 hours. We prefer this recipe with the probiotic capsules because it reduces the fermentation time. Many recipes call for whey but we stopped using all dairy and no longer make kefir. We also make our sauerkraut with the probiotic capsules. Once you have some kvass you can just use 1/2 cup to innoculate your next batch.
Some people will empty the kvass and refill with water for a second batch. This will work but the second batch will not be as strong. I like to think that I am worth a fresh round of beets with every batch. Smiles
I can attest to the amazing health benefits of beet kvass. I have experienced the bowel cleansing benefits as well as a major increase in energy. I enjoy walking several miles per day and find my pace and distance has greatly increased since the addition of kvass and other probiotic-rich foods like sauerkraut. This is a good option if you do not have access to raw goat/cow yogurt or have to avoid fermented dairy due to a casein intolerance/allergy. This has been such a blessing to find an easy, inexpensive probiotic food.
Helped with Anemia
Another benefit is the blood alkalizing and nutrient density of kvass. Since I have struggled with babesia (malaria-like protozoan) and anemia I feel that kvass is an excellent maintenance and support for the blood as beets are high in vitamin c, iron and copper. The body needs all three to build new blood.
“Beets are unique in their rich combination of betalain pigments. Both betacyanins (red-violet pigments) and betaxanthins (yellow pigments) can be found in beets. Betanin and vulgaxanthin are betalains that have gotten special attention in beet research. Beets are also an excellent source of folate and a very good source of manganese, potassium, and copper. They are also a good source of dietary fiber, magnesium, phosphorus, vitamin C, iron, and vitamin B6”.
Nutritional information from World’s Healthiest Foods.
I raise my glass of beet kvass and say – To your health! Na zdorov’ya
Best of Health!
Brenda♥
Everything that I have done to recover my health is available here for free on my blog. If you would like a little extra help, I offer nutritional therapy consultations and hair tissue mineral analysis for a fee. Please go to this page for a list of my rates and to book an appointment for health coaching.
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Yes drain it off and store in the fridge. Yes empty the capsules of probiotic into the mixture and stir gently.