How to Make a Ginger Bug (and Its Benefits)
Learn what a ginger bug is, its benefits, and how to make a ginger bug recipe with just three ingredients!
What Is a Ginger Bug?
Ginger Bug is a starter culture made with ginger, sugar, and water. The mixture is left to rest and ferment until it becomes bubbly and foamy. A ginger bug is commonly used to create fermented drinks and natural sodas like root beer and ginger beer.
Ginger Bug vs. Ginger Beer Plant
A ginger beer plant (GBP) is a type of rare culture. It was once popular in the British Isles and used to make a carbonated alcoholic beverage with ginger flavor.
The culture is not a plant but a group of tiny grains. The plant was originally used to ferment a mixture of sugar, water, and ginger. However, it was eventually placed by brewer’s yeast and baker’s yeast due to convenience.
Meanwhile, a ginger bug is made with fresh ginger root and sugar. The natural bacteria and yeast in the ginger root create an active liquid that can be used to ferment water, juice, and tea.
Easy Homemade Ginger Bug
Create your own ginger bug, a simple fermented starter to make homemade sodas and fizzy drinks. This easy recipe uses fresh ginger, sugar, and water to kickstart natural fermentation in just 24 hours!
Ingredients
- Unpeeled Organic Ginger - Find this in the produce section of your local grocery store.
- Granulated Sugar - I do not recommend using a different type of sugar.
- Water - This dilutes the ingredients and creates the base of any drink.
Instructions
- Prepare the ginger bug. Combine the grated ginger and sugar in a glass jar. Then, add water, and stir vigorously to dissolve the sugar. Cover the jar with a cheesecloth, fitting it with a rubber band.
- Ferment. Let the mixture rest at room temperature for 24 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Feed the ginger bug. Add one tablespoon of ginger and one tablespoon of sugar to the jar, stirring to combine. Repeat this process until the ginger bug is bubbly and has a strong yeasty, gingery smell.
- Make a drink. Strain ½ cup of the liquid. Then, mix it with up to seven cups of liquid such as fruit juice or tea. Cover, and ferment for up to three days. Transfer to the fridge to chill, and enjoy!
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Tips for Success
- Dice your ginger. To save time straining, skip grating the ginger, and dice it instead. This infuses the ginger bug with a tangy flavor and makes it easier to strain.
- Avoid non-calorie sweeteners like Stevia or monk fruit. The wild yeast consumes the sugar in order to grow during the fermentation process. Therefore, caloric sweeteners like sugar, maple syrup, or honey are essential.
- Use chlorine-free water. The chlorine typically found in tap water can interfere with the bacteria and yeast production required when making a ginger bug. For the best results, use filtered water or spring water instead.
Common Questions
Is it safe to drink ginger bug?
Yes, ginger bugs are safe to use as natural starters for fermentation. However, it’s important to follow proper hygiene processes to avoid contamination. If your mixture is brown, slimy, or extremely cloudy, it’s best to start over with a fresh batch.
How to tell if a ginger bug is bad?
Your ginger bug has gone bad if mold forms or if it has a strong, unpleasant odor.
What is the difference between kombucha and ginger bug?
Kombucha is made from sweetened fermented tea with SCOBY, a starter culture. The process results in a slightly sour beverage.
Meanwhile, a ginger bug is created from fresh ginger, raw sugars, and water. It has a lighter, more gingery flavor and is commonly used as a starter culture for homemade sodas such as ginger ale.
More DIY Recipes
- How to Make Apple Cider Vinegar
- How to Make Beet Kvass
- How to Make Greek Coconut Milk Yogurt
- How to Make Raw Milk Kefir
Ginger Bug Recipe
Starter:
- 1 Tablespoon grated unpeeled organic ginger
- 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 ½ cups water
Feed:
- 1 Tablespoon grated unpeeled organic ginger
- 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar
To Use:
- ½ cup ginger bug
- 7 cups liquid (fruit juice or tea)
Prepare the Bug:
- Combine the grated ginger and sugar in a glass jar. Add the water, and stir vigorously to dissolve. Cover the jar with a cheesecloth and rubber band.
- Let the mixture rest at room temperature for 24 hours, stirring occasionally.
Feed the Bug:
- Add 1 tablespoon of ginger and 1 tablespoon of sugar, stirring to dissolve.
- Repeat this process for 5 days or until the ginger bug is bubbly and has a strong yeasty, gingery smell.
Using Ginger Bug:
- Strain ½ cup of the liquid.
- Mix it with up to 7 cups of liquid such as fruit juice or tea.
- Cover, and ferment for up to 3 days.
- Transfer to the fridge, and enjoy.
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Hi, my name is Kate.
I love food. Real food. We eat all of the things that nursing school taught me were bad for you: butter, eggs, bacon, and raw milk.
I am a Nurse, a Mom, and a Real Food loving blogger. Just trying to save the world.