WHAT IS BEET KVASS?
At the CultureHood, we consider BEET KVASS both ‘Physical & Spiritual’ nutrition. Some things are easily definable - like nutrition, action, benefits etc however, other things are much more difficult.
With it’s roots steeped richly in Ukrainian tradition & revered there for it’s extraordinary benefits, BEET KVASS offers the consumer a journey inward & outward - bringing in elements to support & recalibrate the human body & it’s BEING.
THE DEFINABLE:
Beet Kvass is a fermented liquid tonic rich in probiotics, digestive enzymes and nutrients all of which are vital for the restoration of your gut health.
Whilst Kvass is commonly made from beetroots, many other variations utilise fruits, berries, grains and sometimes even herbs and spices for additional kicks of flavour and nutrients. Our kvass utilises the profound benefits of Organic Beetroots.
One of the main nutrients in beetroot is a phytonutrient called ‘betalaines’ found in the pigment of the beet. (This is the colour which stains your hands when peeling or handling beetroots.) These powerful betalaines help create healthy red blood cells which in turn make beet kvass an excellent blood tonic.
WHAT DOES IT DO?
Beet Kvass is ‘multi-pronged’ in its ability to support many of the body systems. For the following benefits to be experienced & felt, the consistent consumption of a powerful cultured food such as BEET KVASS must happen over time. Nutrition is instant as is seeding our Gut Microbiome with living Probiotics but it’s in building a deep reserve daily which provides our body the ability to repair & thrive.
- It is PROTECTIVE; by way of rebuilding GUT MICROBIOME BALANCE & increasing our body’s defenses.
- It is a DIGESTIVE AID; providing living enzymes & microbes which greatly assists in the digestion of other foods, promoting healthy stool formation & regularity
- It supports & helps maintain healthy LIVER FUNCTION (Beetroots are a known liver food)
- It supports & helps maintain healthy HEART & CARDIOVASCULAR FUNCTION.
- It BOOSTS IMMUNE FUNCTION – promoting personal resilience as well as increased resistance to invading pathogens.
- In general, the incorporation of lacto-fermented foods such as beet kvass & sauerkraut will help encourage a thriving gut flora, increase your immune strength & ability to digest & absorb the nutrients in your food.
HOW MUCH DO I DRINK?
We recommend starting small with 1 dose per day and building to a maintenance dose of 2 shots per day.
As our BEET KVASS is a living, nutritionally dense probiotic liquid tonic, a little goes a long way.
Only a small amount daily is required to promote an overall feeling of improved health.
Beginning your day with BEET KVASS is wonderful for many reasons; remineralizes our system after sleep, alkalises our blood & seeds our ‘Gut Garden’ with probiotics. Additionally, having a shot of Kvass just before bed provides our body with a swag of useful tools to use to repair & rejuvenate our system, whilst we are at rest.
Adults: 10mls twice daily, building toward 50mls twice daily.
Children: 10 - 30mls once per day, building toward twice daily.
CAN I TAKE IT WITH FOOD?
When taken with food, Kvass has the added advantage of aiding digestion and promoting the absorption of minerals. For example, Beet Kvass helps breakdown protein molecules into amino acid chains, fats into fatty acids and complex carbohydrates into simple sugars which are then more readily absorbed by the body. Removing the burden from an often compromised digestive system - BEET KVASS not only aids in digestion but also assists in rebuilding healthy strong digestive function.
CAN I HAVE TOO MUCH?
BEET KVASS is a live cultured tonic, so whilst you become accustomed to its incredible living properties, it is best to start out slow and steady. Drinking too much too soon can result in unpleasant symptoms such as bloating, abdominal discomfort, nausea or loose stools. Therefore, a small does daily is more than enough to ‘drip feed’ the beneficial microbes into your system. Most importantly, we advise you to trust your gut. If you experience consistent and unpleasant symptoms, simply reduce your dose to a more tolerable amount. Your body will prefer to go slowly in its repair and rebalance, this is for good reason. However, KEEP GOING. Small amounts and consistency is key for achieving long-term results.
HOW DO I TAKE CARE OF MY KVASS?
PLEASE KEEP YOUR KVASS REFRIGERATED.
We advise you to keep your kvass bottle upright and, in the fridge, to avoid leakage. Our KVASS is best consumed within four months of opening. Refer to date on your bottle for BEST BEFORE.
WHAT IF WHITE FLECKS APPEAR?
If small white flecks appear on the surface of your Kvass, do not be alarmed. This a perfectly harmless yeast culture called Kahm yeast and can be either consumed or strained off without concern.
WHAT IF MY BEET KVASS IS FIZZY?
Beet Kvass can become naturally effervescent due to the carbon dioxide produced during lacto-fermentation. All of our BEET KVASS batches vary slightly. Some batches are flat on the palate while others are slightly fizzier. Even when refrigerated your Kvass will continue to develop in flavour, often becoming more effervescent the longer its refrigerated. Refrigeration does not cease fermentation; it only slows it down. So PLEASE be prepared for these changes & our advice is ALWAYS OPEN THE LID SLOWLY. :-)
MY BEET KVASS IS DIFFERENT TO THE LAST BATCH I BROUGHT
Fermentation is never an exact replication. A lot like a good wine, the end result will always vary slightly due to constantly changing variables, such as seasonality, beetroot varietals, temperature, etc.
This is in part what keeps our work so interesting. No two batches are ever identical!
Despite the slight variations in flavour or colour, we always aim to deliver the highest quality Beet Kvass.
ALLERGY INFORMATION
Our Beet Kvass is Gluten, Dairy, Soy, Sugar and Nut free.
No artificial flavours, colours, preservatives or additives are used in our ferments.
*This does not mean that a reaction cannot occur. If concerned, please seek advice from your Health Practitioner.
CAUTION: For those with a HISTAMINE INTOLERANCE or S.I.B.O (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) avoid starting your healing journey with FERMENTED FOODS. Seek advice & treatment via a health practitioner.
I HAVE CANDIDA, IS BEET KVASS SAFE TO DRINK?
Beet Kvass is a lacto-fermented tonic, rich in metabolites which may assist in preventing yeast overgrowth such as candida albicans.
IS OUR BEET KVASS RAW?
Yes. Our Beet Kvass is 100% raw and unpasteurised.
I AM LACTOSE INTOLERANT, CAN I EAT LACTO-FERMENTED FOODS?
In this case, the term ‘lacto’ refers to the lactic acid, produced by the lactic acid bacteria as they consume naturally occurring carbohydrates during fermentation. Hence the term, lacto-fermentation.
Our fermented vegetables and Kvass DO NOT contain either lactose or casein.
CAN I TAKE BEET KVASS WITH ANTIBIOTICS?
Generally, yes, unless your health professional has advised otherwise. If taking Kvass with your antibiotics, allow a 2-hour window between your Kvass and antibiotic doses. Antibiotics indiscriminately wipe out your gut flora. Therefore, rebuilding your gut microbiota is a priority during and after taking a course of antibiotics.
IS KVASS SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN AND BABIES?
In regard to babies, if you are a breast-feeding mother who consumes Kvass or any lacto-fermented foods, many of the benefits will be delivered via your breast milk.
In regard to young children, we advise only a teaspoon to begin. If your child has a sweet palate, Kvass can be mixed in juice, smoothies or in salad dressings. It’s a wonderful idea to introduce fermented foods into your child’s diet as early as possible – having them become a ‘normal’ part of their food experience.
In our experience one of the greatest gifts you can pass onto your kids is the appreciation of FERMENTED FOODS. A gift for life!