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This is an easy, high protein, probiotic rich, jello recipe that is perfect for summer – healthy, homemade, kombucha jello!

You will need:

Gelatin powder – Make sure you are using gelatin powder – not gelatin-based protein powder.

Kombucha – Use your favourite store bought kombucha for this recipe, or make your own!

Honey (optional) – Find a local beekeeper to purchase honey from. As long as your kombucha isn’t over-fermented, you shouldn’t need to add any extra sweetness.

Hot water, hot tea, or hot juice – We just need something hot to dissolve the gelatin. I don’t recommend heating the kombucha or it may destroy the live probiotics. Chose something that will compliment your kombucha. Click here to read about 10 wild plants you can use to make your own tea!

Fresh or frozen fruit (optional) – Add as much or as little as you’d like!

Mixing bowl

What is Gelatin?

Gelatin is a protein rich ingredient that is made from animal collagen. The collagen is extracted from beef or pork connective tissue like skin, tendons, cartilage and bones. It’s a natural product that promotes healthy hair, skin, nails, joint and gut health. Gelatin is that good jiggly-ness that you get when you make bone broth.

So, this desert is basically…fermented tea bone broth… Yum!

What is Kombucha?

Kombucha is simply fermented sweet tea. The kombucha SCOBY (symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast) feeds on the caffeine and sugar, and the result is a unique effervescent, probiotic drink.

Kombucha is high in antioxidants which help fight free radicals and heal damaged cell DNA, proteins and membranes.

Kombucha helps alkalize the body. With a pH between 2.5-3.5, finished kombucha is acidic, but, it is actually an alkalizing food (like lemons). Consuming alkalizing foods can reduce inflammation and improve cellular regeneration.

The nanostructure of the cellulose in the SCOBY can heal tissue. Don’t ask me what that means – but apparently putting blobby kombucha SCOBYs on your face is total beauty hack.
Kombucha contains minerals, B vitamins and vitamin C, which are produced when the yeast breaks down the sugar. The vitamins and minerals in kombucha are bioavailable (easy for the body to digest and use).
The Jello Rules
First we need to let the gelatin “bloom” by stirring 2 tbsps of gelatin powder into 1/2 cup of cold water. It will only take a few minutes to bloom.

Then we need to dissolve the bloomed gelatin into hot liquid. In this recipe, we won’t be heating the kombucha in order to protect the beneficial probiotics. See the recipe below for details.

Lastly, the jello needs to chill in a refrigerator for 2+ hours, until set.

Variations

With the rules in mind, take this recipe and have fun with it.

If you don’t want to use kombucha for your liquid, try honey sweetened tea, or your favourite fruit juice.

Try adding pieces of fresh or frozen fruit before chilling the jello.

Layer different jello mixtures into jars to make a fun colorful treat, or cut into creative shapes.

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In a medium mixing bowl, make 1 cup of hot water, hot tea, or hot juice. Dissolve the honey into the hot liquid, if using.

Add the bloomed gelatin into the hot tea and stir well with a fork or whisk to dissolve the gelatin.

Add the 2 1/2 cups of kombucha to the mixing bowl. Stir.

Pour the jello mixture into a 9×9 glass dish, or divide evenly into 6 small (250ml) jars.

Add pieces of fresh or frozen fruit (optional).

Chill in the refrigerator for 2+ hours, until set. The jello should feel firm, but jiggly.

Cut into fun shapes, or add a second layer with another flavour, for a fun colourful treat!