John Miller
Tibicos, or water kefir, is a traditional fermented drink made with water and water kefir grains. It is a probiotic drink rich in beneficial bacteria and is believed to have several health benefits. The basic preparation method is to add tibicos to a sugary liquid and leave it to ferment for 24 to 48 hours. The drink is typically prepared in glass or plastic containers, as reactive metals such as aluminium, copper, or zinc are avoided. The water should be dechlorinated, and at a temperature of 20-30°C. A variety of sugars can be used, including brown sugar, molasses, honey, and coconut sugar. Fruit juice, dried fruit, and citrus fruits are also common additions.
How to Prepare Tibicos Mushroom
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type | Traditional fermented drink |
| Preparation Time | 24-48 hours |
| Ingredients | Water, sugar, fruit, tibicos culture |
| Water Temperature | 20-30 °C (70-85 °F) |
| Container Type | Plastic, glass, ceramic |
| Utensils | Plastic, silicone, glass |
| Sugar Type | Brown sugar, molasses, demerara sugar, unrefined cane sugar, white sugar, honey, coconut sugar |
| Add-ons | Salt, dried fruit, citrus fruits, fruit juice |
| Health Benefits | Improved bowel control, reduced joint pain, improved gingivitis |
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What You'll Learn
Use a glass container
When preparing tibicos mushrooms, it is important to use a glass container. Glass containers are ideal for culturing the tibicos grains and promoting a healthy environment for the bacteria and yeast to grow.
It is recommended to use a glass jar to culture the grains and prepare the tibicos mushroom drink. Glass is a safe and inert material that will not react with the acidic solution of the tibicos. Reactive metals such as aluminium, copper, or zinc should be avoided as the acidity of the solution can react with these metals, forming metal ions that can be harmful to the culture.
Using a glass container ensures that the tibicos culture remains pure and uncontaminated. Glass is non-porous and non-reactive, so it will not absorb flavours or colours, and it will not leach chemicals or toxins into the solution. This is especially important when preparing a natural remedy like tibicos, where the goal is to promote health and avoid any potential contaminants.
Glass containers are also easy to clean and sanitise, which is crucial for maintaining the hygiene required for tibicos preparation. They can be washed thoroughly with hot water and soap, ensuring that no harmful bacteria or impurities remain that could interfere with the delicate balance of microorganisms in the tibicos culture.
Additionally, glass jars provide visibility during the fermentation process. You can easily observe the progress of your tibicos mushrooms, checking for any signs of contamination or abnormality. This visibility allows you to monitor the colour, texture, and overall appearance of the culture, ensuring that it develops as expected.
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Add sugar to water
To prepare tibicos mushrooms, also known as water kefir, you will need to add sugar to water. This sugary water will then be fermented by the tibicos culture to produce a probiotic drink.
Tibicos mushrooms feed off sugar to produce lactic acid, alcohol (ethanol), and carbon dioxide gas, which carbonates the drink. Sugar is the food that nourishes the microbes in the tibicos culture. The type of sugar used can vary, but it is important to avoid non-caloric sweeteners like stevia and xylitol.
Unrefined cane sugar, such as jaggery, panela, or rapadura, is recommended as it is rich in minerals, which water kefir needs to thrive. White sugar can also be used and will produce a cleaner flavour and a clearer appearance. However, if you use white or refined sugar, you should add a liquid mineral supplement to provide the necessary minerals for the culture to grow.
You can also use other types of sugar such as molasses, honey, coconut sugar, or brown sugar. It is important to note that the use of reactive metals such as aluminium, copper, or zinc should be minimised when preparing the sugar water as the acidity of the solution will react with these metals, forming metal ions that could be potentially damaging to the tibicos culture. Instead, use plastic, lead-free ceramic, or glass containers, and clean plastic or silicone utensils.
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Ferment for 24-48 hours
To prepare tibicos mushrooms, also known as water kefir, you will need to ferment the mixture for 24-48 hours. This step is crucial to allow the tibicos culture, which contains various beneficial bacteria and yeasts, to feed on the sugar in the mixture and produce lactic acid, alcohol (ethanol), and carbon dioxide gas, resulting in a slightly tart, fizzy drink.
It is important to maintain the temperature within the range of 20-30 °C (70-85 °F) during fermentation. If the temperature is towards the higher end of this range, keep a close eye on the mixture as the fermentation period will be shorter. Excessive heat can damage the live cultures, so it is recommended to let your sugar water cool to room temperature before adding the grains.
The type of sugar used can also impact the fermentation process. While white sugar produces the cleanest flavour and a clear appearance, unrefined cane sugar like jaggery, panela, or rapadura is recommended as it is rich in minerals that water kefir thrives on. You can also use alternative sweeteners like molasses, honey, coconut sugar, or brown sugar, but avoid non-caloric sweeteners like stevia and xylitol as the culture needs sugar to thrive.
In addition to sugar, you can add other ingredients to enhance the flavour and nutritional profile of your tibicos mushroom drink. Common additions include salt, dried fruit (such as figs or raisins), and citrus fruits. Fruit juice can also be added during the second fermentation stage. However, be mindful that certain ingredients can inhibit fermentation, such as chlorine in tap water or sulfites in dried fruit. Always use filtered water and ensure your equipment is made of plastic, lead-free ceramic, or glass to minimise the use of reactive metals.
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Avoid reactive metals
To prepare tibicos mushrooms, it is important to avoid using reactive metals such as aluminium, copper, or zinc. This is because the acidity of the solution will react with these metals, forming metal ions that could potentially damage the tibicos culture.
To ensure the safety of your tibicos preparation, follow these steps:
- Use only plastic, glass, or ceramic utensils and containers. Avoid metal utensils and containers, including those made of reactive metals like aluminium, copper, or zinc.
- Prepare your container by washing it with white distilled vinegar or alcohol. Avoid using soap, as it may contain antibacterial or antifungal properties that can harm the tibicos culture. Rinsing the container with tap water or chlorinated water is not recommended, as chlorine can inhibit fermentation.
- Prepare the tibicos solution by adding the required amount of water and sugar to the container. Use pure water, as tap water may contain chlorine that can affect the fermentation process.
- Add the tibicos mushrooms to the solution and stir gently.
- Cover the container with a clean, thin cloth to allow oxygen circulation, which is necessary for the growth of tibicos. Secure the cloth with a rubber band if needed.
- Place the container in an undisturbed area at room temperature (20–30 °C or 70–85 °F). Avoid direct sunlight.
- Allow the mixture to ferment for 24 to 48 hours. The fermentation period may be shortened if the temperature is towards the upper end of the range.
- After fermentation, strain the tibicos water using a plastic or household strainer with a fine mesh. Avoid using a metal strainer.
- Rinse the tibicos mushrooms with pure water after straining, and then return them to the container.
- Add more pure water and sugar to the container to continue the fermentation process and promote the growth of tibicos.
By following these steps and avoiding the use of reactive metals, you can safely prepare tibicos mushrooms and enjoy their potential health benefits.
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Add fruit or dried fruit
When preparing tibicos mushrooms, also known as water kefir, you can add dried fruit or fresh fruit to the mixture. The addition of fruit to the sugar and water solution will give your tibicos a boost of flavour and added health benefits.
Dried fruit, such as raisins or figs, can be added to the solution during the second fermentation. The dried fruit will help to keep the water kefir grains healthy by giving them a boost of minerals. The fruit will also absorb carbon dioxide during fermentation, plumping up and floating to the surface, which indicates that the tibicos are ready.
Citrus fruits, such as lime, can be added to the solution to provide extra nutrients for the tibicos grains. The addition of citrus will also help to lower the pH of the sugar water, reducing the risk of contamination by stray microbes.
Fresh fruit juice can be added during the second fermentation to flavour the tibicos. Fruit juice will give the water kefir a bubbly, tonic-like quality. It is an excellent source of probiotics for those who are unable to consume dairy products.
It is important to note that some ingredients can inhibit fermentation. For example, the sulfites used to preserve dried fruit can negatively impact the process. It is recommended to use fresh, dried fruit to avoid this issue.
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Frequently asked questions
Tibicos, or water kefir, is a traditional fermented drink made with water and water kefir grains. It is a probiotic drink that contains beneficial bacteria and yeast.
To prepare tibicos mushroom, you will need a starter culture or water kefir grains, which can be added to a sugary liquid such as coconut water, fruit juice, or sugar mixed with water. The water should be dechlorinated and at room temperature (20-30 °C). The fermentation process takes between 24 to 48 hours.
It is recommended to use plastic, lead-free ceramic, or glass containers and utensils when preparing tibicos mushroom. Avoid using reactive metals such as aluminium, copper, or zinc as they can react with the acidity of the solution and potentially damage the culture.
People who drink tibicos mushroom report various health benefits such as improved bowel control, reduced joint pain, and improved digestive health. It is also said to be a good remedy for gingivitis.
