It is important not to confuse kombucha and konbucha. Kombucha is a sparkling, slightly tart fermented drink. Konbucha, on the other hand, is literally tea made from kombu seaweed that has been chopped or ground into a fine powder.
Konbucha can be added to water. It is a drink rich in umami, glutamine, and asparagine. Commercially available konbucha usually contains sugar and salt. The history of kombucha dates back to the Edo period (1603 to 1868), when people would take kombu leaves, steep them in hot water to make tea, and then eat the softened kombu leaves.
The appearance of powdered kombucha in 1918 popularized its use because it could be quickly prepared to make a hot tea rich in umami, but it could also be used to make instant dashi broth.
This saved a considerable amount of time in the kitchen. Kombucha is also appreciated for its health benefits. It is rich in glutamic acid and dietary fiber, fucoxanthin (helps burn fat and convert energy into body heat), fucoidan (promotes digestion), iron and essential minerals, potassium, calcium, and magnesium, and alginic acid (may help lower blood cholesterol levels).
This kombucha from artisan Izuri Kombu is a Japanese seasoning made from dried kombu seaweed and sugar. It is used to prepare a type of dashi broth often used as a base for soups, sauces, and stews in Japanese cuisine. Dashi broth is a fundamental ingredient in many Japanese dishes, and there are several types of dashi that can be used depending on the dish being prepared.
Kombu dashi is a vegetarian option made by simmering dried kombu seaweed in water. It is known for its rich umami flavor and is used in a variety of dishes, including miso soup, noodle soups, nabe, and noodle cooking water. The sweetness of the sugar in the seasoning helps balance the salty umami flavor of the kombu.
Available in powder form, it is a remarkable seasoning that can also be sprinkled on rice or vegetables, omelets, meat or fish tartares, sashimi, fries, fried foods, tempura, grilled fish, or fish en papillote to enhance their umami flavor. It is important to note that this kombucha contains no chemical seasonings, artificial sweeteners or artificial flavors.
