How To Make A Ginger Bug For Wild Fermented Sodas

How to Make a Ginger Bug for Wild Fermented Sodas https://www.growforagecookferment.
com/how-to-make-a-ginger-bug/
S TA R T H E R E RESOURCES BOOKS ABOUT FORAGING COURSE Sub��r��!
GROW FORAGE COOK FERMENT HERBALISM HOMESTEAD
Home » Ferment » Fermented Soda » How to Make a Ginger Bug Hello

for Wild Fermented Sodas
there! I’m
Colleen.
How to Make a I want to

inspire you to
live seasonally,
Ginger Bug for become more self suf�cient, and

protect your health. I share
Wild Fermented
information on foraging and
wildcrafting, fermenting and
preserving, cooking whole foods from
Sodas scratch, permaculture gardening, and

making herbal products. And that’s
just the beginning! Learn more.
Originally published on October 1, 2021. Last updated
on March 22, 2022
May contain af�liate links or sponsored content. Please see my
privacy policy and af�liate disclosure. Browse my homemade
CBD recipes & how-tos
JUMP TO RECIPE JUMP TO VIDEO PRINT RECIPE

MY BOOKS
Learn how to make a homemade ginger bug using a
wild ferment. It’s a very easy beginner fermentation
recipe, can be a base for all kinds of naturally
fermented soda drinks, including traditional ginger
beer. Here is everything you need to know about this
traditionally fermented ginger starter for homemade
natural sodas!
1 of 29 2023-07-11, 9:24 a.m.

How to Make a Ginger Bug for Wild Fermented Sodas https://www.growforagecookferment.com/how-to-make-a-ginger-bug/
S U M M E R FAV O R I T E S
Foraging for 15+ Ways to

Elderberries & Preserve Zucchini:
Elder�owers: Freeze, Can,
Identi�cation, Look- Ferment, and
alikes, & Uses Dehydrate
Fermenting Ginger as a
Starter for Sodas
The coolest thing to me about fermenting is that it is
one of the oldest methods of food preservation, along
10 Reasons to Grow Herbal Popsicles
with salting and drying. Lemon Balm with Lavender and
Lemon Balm
I love the thought of humans discovering the

fermentation process many hundreds of years ago, and
love the revival it has been experiencing in recent
times.
2 of 29 2023-07-11, 9:24 a.m.

POPULAR POSTS
This ad will end in 30
How to Make Soap 5 Easy to Identify

For Beginners + Edible Mushrooms
Calendula Soap
Recipe
One very traditional method of fermenting is to make

10 Reasons to Grow How to Make and
ginger beer. No, not what you traditionally know as Mint (Without Fear) Use Dandelion Salve
“ginger ale” which in most cases is usually just sugar
water with ginger �avoring.
I’m talking about real ginger beer, which is made with

a ginger bug starter.
I’m going to show you how to make a ginger bug, What to Forage in How to Make a
Spring: 20 Edible Gallon of Mead: A
which is started by a wild ferment. This means that no and Medicinal Plants Simple Mead Recipe
commercial yeast is added, but rather comes from the and Fungi
×
local environment.
3 of 29 2023-07-11, 9:24 a.m.

S TA R It’s
T H Esuper
RE simple
R E S O U Rto
C Emake
S B Oand
O K ScanAbe
B Oa
U base
T Ffor
O R Aall
GING COURSE Sub��r��!
kinds of homemade soda drinks, not only just ginger
beer.
Ginger has been used as a spice and medicinally for

hundreds, if not thousands, of years. Somewhere along
How to Make Hard Fermented Honey
the line it was discovered that if you mix it with sugar Cider: Homebrew it! Garlic
and water it will ferment until bubbly fairly quickly.
Ginger root has a large amount of naturally occurring

yeast and lactic acid on its surface, so it doesn’t take
much for it to produce a “ginger bug.”
4 of 29 2023-07-11, 9:24 a.m.

Ginger Bug Recipe

All that is needed to make a ginger bug is organic
unpeeled ginger root, raw sugar, and �ltered water.
That’s it!
Some people suggest adding a squeeze of lemon juice,

×
and I’m sure it wouldn’t hurt, but I usually just keep it
simple.
5 of 29 2023-07-11, 9:24 a.m.


M I X G I N G E R , S U G A R & WAT E R
First, get yourself a good sized hunk of organic ginger.

Organic is important here because you are leaving the
skin on and it houses all of the lovely bacteria and
yeasts that you want.
6 of 29 2023-07-11, 9:24 a.m.

S TA R Grate
T H E R Ethe Rginger
E S O U Runtil
CES you
BOOhave
K S about
A B O Uone
T tablespoon.
FORAGING COURSE Sub��r��!
A cheese grater with small holes or a microplane work
well for this.
Then add the ginger to a pint jar with the sugar.
7 of 29 2023-07-11, 9:24 a.m.

Next add the water and stir it all around well until the
sugar completely dissolves.
That’s the slurry that you start with. Cover it up with

a cheesecloth or other breathable cloth and a rubber
band and let it sit on your counter for 24 hours.
8 of 29 2023-07-11, 9:24 a.m.

Stir it up a little anytime you think of it, every few

hours or so.
9 of 29 2023-07-11, 9:24 a.m.

F E E D T H E G I N G E R B U G D A I LY
Then, much like a sourdough starter, you need to feed

it again after 24 hours. Same as before, 1 tablespoon
grated ginger, 1 teaspoon sugar, and a little bit of
water.
Keep feeding it and stirring it every day, and after a ×

couple of days you should start to see some bubbles
10 of 29 2023-07-11, 9:24 a.m.

S TA R forming
T HERE inR Ethe
SOUjar.
RCES BOOKS ABOUT FORAGING COURSE Sub��r��!
H O W TO U S E A G I N G E R B U G
After feeding your ginger bug daily for a week or so,

the jar will start to get full and should have some nice
bubbles.
×
That’s when it’s time to use it as a base to jump start
11 of 29 2023-07-11, 9:24 a.m.

S TA R homemade
T HERE R Efermented
SOURCES sodas!
BOOKS ABOUT FORAGING COURSE Sub��r��!
Ginger beer is a common way to use a ginger bug, but I

like making all kinds of delicious wild sodas with it.
One of my favorite ways to use a ginger bug is to make

this apple ginger beer! It’s absolutely delicious!
Homemade strawberry rhubarb soda is another ×

favorite around here.
12 of 29 2023-07-11, 9:24 a.m.

S TA R A
T Hrefreshing
ERE R E S homemade
OURCES B soda
O O K S sure
A Bdoes
OUT sound
FORAgood,
especially when you can choose your own favorite
�avors.
You can also make a turmeric bug and fermented

turmeric soda with fresh turmeric root!
Who needs the store bought stuff with all of its high
fructose nonsense when you can make your own
healthy, probiotic soda?
Making a homemade ginger bug is such a simple

concept that uses easy to �nd ingredients to make a
wonderfully healthy base for homemade sodas! You
couldn’t ask for anything more.
N AT U R A L LY F E R M E N T E D S O D A
RECIPES MADE WITH A
GINGER BUG
Here are some more recipes I have for using your

ginger bug.
• Strawberry Rhubarb Soda

• Fermented Root Beer
• Fermented Elderberry Soda
• Apple Ginger Beer
13 of 29 2023-07-11, 9:24 a.m.

Learn how to make

a homemade ginger
bug using a wild
ferment. It's a very
easy beginner
PRINT RECIPE
fermentation recipe,
can be a base for all PIN RECIPE
kinds of naturally
fermented soda
4.87 from 22 votes
drinks, including
traditional ginger beer. Here is
everything you need to know about
this traditionally fermented ginger
starter for homemade natural sodas!
Drinks
American, European
10 minutes
7 days
7 days
10kcal
×
-
14 of 29 2023-07-11, 9:24 a.m.

S TA R T H E R E R E1
S OTablespoon
URCES B Oorganic
OKS Afresh
B O U Tginger
FORAGING COURSE Sub��r��!
SPONSORED BY
Get more than a credit score. Discover

valuable info on credit wellness with…
LEARN MORE
unpeeled, grated
1 teaspoon
3 Tablespoons �ltered water
unchlorinated
1. Put the unpeeled grated ginger and

the sugar into a jar.
2. Add the water and stir it all around
well until the sugar completely
dissolves.
3. Cover the jar with a cheesecloth or
other breathable cloth and a rubber
band and let it sit on your counter
for 24 hours. Stir it up a little every
few hours or anytime you think of it.
4. Feed the ginger bug daily by adding
1 tablespoon grated ginger, 1
teaspoon sugar, and a little bit of
water.
5. Keep feeding it and stirring it every
day, and after a few days you should
start to see some bubble action.
When the jar is full and bubbly, it's ×
ready to use.
15 of 29 2023-07-11, 9:24 a.m.

• Total fermentation time before the

ginger bug is ready to use is 5-7 days.
• Soda recipes will require about ½-1
cup of ginger bug depending on how
large a batch your are making.
Serving: 1cup | Calories: 10kcal
Join My Free
Foraging &
Herbalism
Email Course!
Your �rst name
Your email address
JOIN THE EMAIL COURSE!
This will also subscribe you

to the Grow Forage Cook
Ferment newsletter. You
can unsubscribe at any time.
Please see my Privacy
Policy.
16 of 29 2023-07-11, 9:24 a.m.

S TA R T H E R ERESOURCES
« Fermented Jalapeño BOOKS ABOUT
Arnica andF OYarrow
RAGING COURSE
Skin Sub��r��!
Honey Cream »
COMMENTS
Rachel says
June 23, 2023 at 10:37 am
Hello! I started a ginger bug a couple of

days ago and it’s already forming bubbles!
My question is: am I looking for a yeast-y,
vinegar-y smell to know it’s ready? Right
now it’s bubbly but just still smells of
strong ginger.
Thanks so much!
REPLY
Jody says
May 9, 2023 at 7:11 am
Hi! Thank you for your recipe! The other

ginger bug recipes I’ve seen online have a
lid tightly attached. Is there a benefit to
×
cheesecloth or a tight lid?
Thank you!
17 of 29 2023-07-11, 9:24 a.m.

REPLY
Grow Forage Cook Ferment

says
May 9, 2023 at 8:26 am
You’ll just need to burp your ginger

bug every day to release built up
gases.
REPLY
Kathy Suleski says

April 2, 2023 at 6:11 pm
How often should I feed my ginger bug

when kept in the fridge? How long can I
keep it in the fridge? Thanks!
REPLY

says
April 3, 2023 at 9:15 am
Hi Kathy. You could feed your

ginger bug every couple of weeks
while it’s dormant in the fridge.
Personally, if I wasn’t going to use it
beyond that time, I would just make
a new one.
REPLY
×
G_bug_man says
18 of 29 2023-07-11, 9:24 a.m.

S TA R T H E R E RESOURCES B May
O O K S 12,A2023
BOUT at F9:37
ORAGING COURSE Sub��r��!
pm
I didn’t feed my ginger bug

enough so it got mad at me and
bit me.
Maria says
March 23, 2023 at 1:03 am
You’re amazing. Been following for a while.

Was new to the homestead scene about 6
years ago, when I was only dreaming about
DIY food recipes. Thank you, Colleen, for
your passion in this Life and sharing it with
others.
�
�
REPLY

says
March 23, 2023 at 12:21 pm
You’re so welcome!
REPLY
19 of 29 2023-07-11, 9:24 a.m.


Allison says
March 12, 2023 at 7:15 pm
Hi Coleen!
I’m wondering if one needs to be concerned

about mold, like with kombucha.
Thank you.
-A
REPLY

says
March 13, 2023 at 8:43 am
As long as your ginger stays

submerged below the liquid, it
shouldn’t mold.
REPLY
Abby Houser says

January 23, 2023 at 6:43 am
Hey there! I’m wondering about giving this

soda to my kids. Is it safe or does it have a
fair bit of alcohol from the fermentation??
I’m totally new to fermentation so I’m
fairly clueless..
×
REPLY
20 of 29 2023-07-11, 9:24 a.m.


says
January 23, 2023 at 10:56
am
Hi Abby. Fermented sodas have a

small amount of alcohol, but should
be safe for older children.
REPLY
Abby Houser says

January 30, 2023 at
8:52 am
Thank you!! I’m also wondering,

each day you feed it, do you do
the same 1tsp sugar, 1tsp ginger
and 3Tbsp water? I’ve been
doing this for a week and just
wanting to be sure the ratios
are correct. I’m also noticing a
white sediment at the bottom of
the jar. Is this okay?
21 of 29 2023-07-11, 9:24 a.m.


Grow Forage Cook
Ferment says
January 30, 2023 at
12:12 pm
Hi Abby. Yes, I do the same

amount every time. White
sediment is totally normal and
harmless. Enjoy!
22 of 29 2023-07-11, 9:24 a.m.


Brooke says
January 1, 2023 at 7:41 pm
Hi,
How long can I keep a ginger bug going?
REPLY

says
January 3, 2023 at 1:52 pm
For as long as you’d like. When you

want a break, simply pop it in the
fridge where it’ll go into dormancy.
When ready to use again, resume
feedings a few days before making
your fermented soda.
REPLY
star says
December 31, 2022 at 7:00 pm
The way the authorities prove it with

beneficial bacteria is through its low PH
but in the case of turmeric how do you
bring down the PH ?
REPLY
Grow Forage Cook Ferment ×

says
23 of 29 2023-07-11, 9:24 a.m.

S TA R T H E R E R E S O U R C E S January
B O O K S3, 2023 at
ABOUT 1:54
FORApm
You can add a splash of apple cider

vinegar to regulate the pH if need
be.
REPLY
Laura says
October 28, 2022 at 6:56 am
Hi Colleen! Thank yo for sharing this :) I

have a lot of grated ginger in my freezer
(with the skin on) – would I be able to use
that if I defrosted it first?
REPLY

says
Hi Laura. Yes, that should still work.
REPLY
Colleen says
October 14, 2022 at 3:23 pm
I’d like to make this in Hawai’i where

ginger and turmeric are plentiful. Any ×
suggestions for tropical fruit that would
24 of 29 2023-07-11, 9:24 a.m.

S TA R T H E work
RE Rsince
E S O U Rapples,
CES Bpears,
OOKS rhubarb
A B O U T are
F Ohard
RAGING COURSE Sub��r��!
fruit? What would you think of passion
fruit which will be in season at the
beginning of my stay? Citrus fruits? I
imagine papaya would be too soft?
Thanks,
Colleen
REPLY

says
October 17, 2022 at 8:57
am
Hi Colleen. I’ve never been there, so

I have no experience with
fermenting tropical fruit. Your ideas
sound lovely though and I’d love to
hear about any experiment you try!
REPLY
Nancy says
October 7, 2022 at 2:32 pm
Hi. My ginger bug started bubbling after 3

days of feeding. I kept feeding it daily but
now on day 7 it’s stopped bubbling. Is it still
active? Or does it stop and I need to start
over fresh if I want to make some more
secondary ferments/sodas?
REPLY ×
25 of 29 2023-07-11, 9:24 a.m.


says
Hi Nancy, your ginger bug should

still be active. If you’re not planning
on using it any time soon, I would
give it a rest in the refrigerator for
up to a week and resume feedings a
few days before using.
REPLY
Amy Prins says

October 15, 2022 at
7:37 am
Hi Colleen. A question to add to

this; when resuming use for the
ginger bug after it’s been
refrigerated do I still continue
adding the same amount of
ginger and sugar each day? And
do I use cheesecloth again or a
lid? Thanks in advance!
Grow Forage Cook

Ferment says
October 17, 2022 at
8:47 am
Hi Amy. Yes, you can resume

feedings with the same amount ×
of ginger and sugar, topped with
26 of 29 2023-07-11, 9:24 a.m.

S TA R T H E R E R E S O U Rcheesecloth.
CES BOOKS ABOUT FORAGING COURSE Sub��r��!
Lisa says
September 25, 2022 at 4:41 am
Hi could you a pear ginger beer? We’ve got

a surplus at the moment.
REPLY

says
September 26, 2022 at 8:10
am
Definitely!
REPLY
daan says
September 24, 2022 at 11:49 am
A S F E AT U R E D O N
E X P LO R E L E A R N TO
Hi Nicolette, could I make this with honey
FORAGE
as well. Or so it a waist of honey? Would
Grow
Forage love to know your view
The gather + rooton this. Thank you!
online
Cook Daan foraging course will help you to
Ferment safely identify, harvest, and use
Herbalism common edible and medicinal
REPLY ×
Homestead plants with con�dence.
27 of 29 2023-07-11, 9:24 a.m.

S TA R T H E R E R E S O U RECNER
S O L LB ONOOKW
S ABOUT FORAGING COURSE Sub��r��!
Naomi Hovey says
August 14, 2022 at 4:59 pm
Privacy Policy
Can you use coconut
Af�liate Disclosure
sugar or maple syrup?
Amazon Af�liate
Copyright © 2023 Grow Forage Cook Ferment & Cocos Creations LLC.
REPLY

A RAPTIVE PARTNER SITE
says
August 15, 2022 at 9:04 am
Hi Naomi. You can use coconut

sugar, but not maple syrup.
REPLY
Nicolette says
July 25, 2022 at 5:16 pm
Hey Colleen!
I’m wondering if the ginger bug is

something I continuously feed and use or if
I should make a new one for each batch of
soda I make.
REPLY

says
July 27, 2022 at 9:08 am
Hi Nicolette. You can put your ×

ginger bug in the refrigerator where
28 of 29 2023-07-11, 9:24 a.m.

S TA R T H E R E R E Sit’ll
O U Rstay
CES dormant
B O O K S until
A B Oyou
U T wish
F O R Ato
resume feedings.
REPLY
« Older Comments
LEAVE A REPLY
Your email address will not be published. Required
fields are marked *
Recipe Rating
Comment *
Name *
Email *
POST COMMENT
29 of 29 2023-07-11, 9:24 a.m.

How To Make A Ginger Bug For Wild Fermented Sodas

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

How To Make A Ginger Bug For Wild Fermented Sodas

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

How to Make a Ginger Bug for Wild Fermented Sodas https://www.growforagecookferment.

S TA R T H E R E RESOURCES BOOKS ABOUT FORAGING COURSE Sub��r���!

GROW FORAGE COOK FERMENT HERBALISM HOMESTEAD

Home » Ferment » Fermented Soda » How to Make a Ginger Bug Hello

How to Make a I want to

Ginger Bug for become more self suf�cient, and

Sodas scratch, permaculture gardening, and

JUMP TO RECIPE JUMP TO VIDEO PRINT RECIPE

1 of 29 2023-07-11, 9:24 a.m.

S TA R T H E R E RESOURCES BOOKS ABOUT FORAGING COURSE Sub��r���!

Foraging for 15+ Ways to

I love the thought of humans discovering the

2 of 29 2023-07-11, 9:24 a.m.

S TA R T H E R E RESOURCES BOOKS ABOUT FORAGING COURSE Sub��r���!

This ad will end in 30

How to Make Soap 5 Easy to Identify

One very traditional method of fermenting is to make

I’m talking about real ginger beer, which is made with

3 of 29 2023-07-11, 9:24 a.m.

Ginger has been used as a spice and medicinally for

and water it will ferment until bubbly fairly quickly.

Ginger root has a large amount of naturally occurring

4 of 29 2023-07-11, 9:24 a.m.

S TA R T H E R E RESOURCES BOOKS ABOUT FORAGING COURSE Sub��r���!

Ginger Bug Recipe

Some people suggest adding a squeeze of lemon juice,

5 of 29 2023-07-11, 9:24 a.m.

S TA R T H E R E RESOURCES BOOKS ABOUT FORAGING COURSE Sub��r���!

First, get yourself a good sized hunk of organic ginger.

6 of 29 2023-07-11, 9:24 a.m.

Then add the ginger to a pint jar with the sugar.

7 of 29 2023-07-11, 9:24 a.m.

S TA R T H E R E RESOURCES BOOKS ABOUT FORAGING COURSE Sub��r���!

That’s the slurry that you start with. Cover it up with

8 of 29 2023-07-11, 9:24 a.m.

S TA R T H E R E RESOURCES BOOKS ABOUT FORAGING COURSE Sub��r���!

Stir it up a little anytime you think of it, every few

9 of 29 2023-07-11, 9:24 a.m.

S TA R T H E R E RESOURCES BOOKS ABOUT FORAGING COURSE Sub��r���!

Then, much like a sourdough starter, you need to feed

Keep feeding it and stirring it every day, and after a ×

10 of 29 2023-07-11, 9:24 a.m.

After feeding your ginger bug daily for a week or so,

11 of 29 2023-07-11, 9:24 a.m.

Ginger beer is a common way to use a ginger bug, but I

One of my favorite ways to use a ginger bug is to make

Homemade strawberry rhubarb soda is another ×

12 of 29 2023-07-11, 9:24 a.m.

You can also make a turmeric bug and fermented

Making a homemade ginger bug is such a simple

Here are some more recipes I have for using your

• Strawberry Rhubarb Soda

13 of 29 2023-07-11, 9:24 a.m.

S TA R T H E R E RESOURCES BOOKS ABOUT FORAGING COURSE Sub��r���!

Learn how to make

14 of 29 2023-07-11, 9:24 a.m.

Get more than a credit score. Discover

1. Put the unpeeled grated ginger and

15 of 29 2023-07-11, 9:24 a.m.

S TA R T H E R E RESOURCES BOOKS ABOUT FORAGING COURSE Sub��r���!

• Total fermentation time before the

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 10kcal

Your �rst name

S TA R T H E R E RESOURCES BOOKS ABOUT FORAGING COURSE Sub��r��!

S TA R T H E R E RESOURCES BOOKS ABOUT FORAGING COURSE Sub��r��!

S TA R T H E R E RESOURCES BOOKS ABOUT FORAGING COURSE Sub��r��!

S TA R T H E R E RESOURCES BOOKS ABOUT FORAGING COURSE Sub��r��!

S TA R T H E R E RESOURCES BOOKS ABOUT FORAGING COURSE Sub��r��!

S TA R T H E R E RESOURCES BOOKS ABOUT FORAGING COURSE Sub��r��!

S TA R T H E R E RESOURCES BOOKS ABOUT FORAGING COURSE Sub��r��!

S TA R T H E R E RESOURCES BOOKS ABOUT FORAGING COURSE Sub��r��!

S TA R T H E R E RESOURCES BOOKS ABOUT FORAGING COURSE Sub��r��!

S TA R T H E R E RESOURCES BOOKS ABOUT FORAGING COURSE Sub��r��!

S TA R T H E R E RESOURCES BOOKS ABOUT FORAGING COURSE Sub��r��!

S TA R T H E R E RESOURCES BOOKS ABOUT FORAGING COURSE Sub��r��!

S TA R T H E R E RESOURCES BOOKS ABOUT FORAGING COURSE Sub��r��!

S TA R T H E R E RESOURCES BOOKS ABOUT FORAGING COURSE Sub��r��!

S TA R T H E R E RESOURCES BOOKS ABOUT FORAGING COURSE Sub��r��!