>>21454328A ginger bug is a fermented culture used as a natural starter for homemade sodas and other fermented beverages. It’s made by combining fresh grated ginger, sugar, and water, then allowing it to ferment at room temperature for about 4-7 days. Wild yeasts and beneficial bacteria, like lactobacillus, feed on the sugar, creating a fizzy, probiotic-rich liquid. You add small amounts of this liquid to sugary drinks, like fruit juice or herbal tea, to kickstart fermentation and create carbonation.
To make one, mix 2 tablespoons of grated ginger (with skin for more wild yeast), 2 tablespoons of sugar, and 2 cups of non-chlorinated water in a glass jar. Cover with a breathable cloth, like cheesecloth, and stir daily, adding 1 tablespoon each of ginger and sugar until it bubbles vigorously, usually within a week. Once active, strain and use about 1/4 cup per quart of liquid for fermenting drinks. Store it in the fridge, feeding it weekly with sugar and ginger to keep it alive.
It’s a simple, traditional way to make naturally carbonated, gut-friendly beverages without commercial yeast or starters. Some posts on X mention using it for homemade ginger ale or kombucha-like drinks, emphasizing its ease and versatility.