Looking for a change of pace from your go-to fruity and bright kombucha flavors? Our Cardamom Date Kombucha recipe is here for you! Cardamom Date Kombucha is a warm, subtly sweet, and slightly spicy kombucha recipe. We love how the caramelly date flavor pairs with the citrusy cardamom spice!
Like many of our recipes, you can choose to make it on the sweeter side or opt for a tarter end product; we have tested and thoroughly enjoyed all variations. Our Cardamom Date kombucha recipe comes straight from our Second Fermentation Flavor of the Month Club; we share a flavor from our subscriptions every so often to put some healthy inspiration out there and give a sneak peek at our subscription recipes!
Cardamom Date Kombucha: Flavor of the Month
First things first: if you haven’t heard already, you need to know a thing or two about our Flavor of the Month club! This is our second fermentation kombucha recipe subscription box. Members receive 1-2 tasty and unique kombucha recipes each month, along with the premium organic ingredients necessary to make a gallon batch of each recipe.
This subscription saves you from scouring the internet for the perfect new recipe, and also saves you trips to the grocery store to find the unique ingredients that second fermentation kombucha recipes often call for. Each Flavor of the Month recipe comes with premium ingredients for six 16-ounce second fermentation kombucha bottles, making it a perfect fit for your gallon brews. This subscription box is a great option for new kombucha brewers looking to get more familiar with second fermentation flavoring options & processes. It also makes a wonderful gift for the seasoned kombucha brewer in your life.
Cardamom: Green or Black?
If you are not very familiar with cardamom, the different varieties and options available can be a little overwhelming at first.
Let’s start with the two varieties of cardamom, which are green and black. Believe it or not, these varieties offer significantly different flavor profiles. Green cardamom offers a complex, yet more subtle flavor and is a great choice for a wider variety of dishes; the flavor of green cardamom is often described as citrusy with both sweet and spicy notes.
On the other hand, black cardamom offers a stronger smoky flavor. It is actually dried over an open fire, so it is no wonder the flavor and aroma are quite aggressive. Black cardamom is also described as piney and warming with menthol notes. It is generally used in savory dishes.
So, which do you think would work best in this kombucha recipe? We strongly recommend using green cardamom for this recipe. The flavor pairs quite wonderfully with the caramelly sweetness of dates. If you were to try this recipe with black cardamom, it would likely dominate the flavor.
Cardamom: Ground, Seeds, or Pods?
We highly recommend using whole green cardamom pods in this recipe. A single pod offers the perfect amount of flavor for each bottle, keeps the prep process neater and easier, and ensures your cardamom will be fresh and flavorful.
If this is not an option for any reason, you can substitute green cardamom seeds or ground cardamom. We would recommend substituting one whole pod for 12 seeds or ¼ tsp of ground cardamom, if necessary.
Cardamom Date Kombucha Recipe
Cardamom date kombucha is a wonderful recipe for this chilly time of the year, but it can be enjoyed year-round. The flavor is warming, with a perfect balance of sweet and spicy. We love how the caramelly sweetness of the dates pairs with the sweet and citrusy spice of green cardamom.
This is certainly a unique and flavorful recipe. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do! Go ahead and skip down to the recipe if you are familiar with kombucha second fermentation. If not, read the notes below first. Enjoy!
Primary Fermentation + Airtight Glass Bottles
FYI, this is a second fermentation kombucha recipe. That means you need to have kombucha that has already completed the initial fermentation process on hand. Both are truly very simple—waiting for your primary fermentation kombucha to work its own magic is the toughest part. If you don’t know where to begin with brewing kombucha, no worries! We offer a Kombucha Starter Kit with everything you need to brew your first batch and instructions to walk you through the process.
This recipe also requires airtight glass bottles. These are a staple for kombucha home brewers. I recommend getting 16 oz swing-top bottles; our recipes are written for them, they are a convenient size for drinking directly from the bottle, and they work well with kombucha overall.
Scale to Your Batch
This recipe is written out for a single 16 oz bottle. If you are brewing kombucha by the gallon, you should end up with enough to make 6-7 16 oz bottles of this recipe. We generally multiply the recipe by the number of bottles we plan on using, slice and/or puree all of the ingredients at once, and split the ingredients evenly between the bottles afterwards. Do whatever is easiest for you!
Cardamom Date Kombucha
Our Cardamom Date Kombucha recipe is a unique must-try! Enjoy the pairing of caramelly dates with the sweet & citrusy spice of green cardamom
Ingredients
- 1 Piece Date Use up to 2 dates per bottle if you have a sweet tooth
- 1 Pod Green Cardamom
- 12-15 Ounces Fermented Kombucha
Instructions
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Slice date into small pieces and add to bottle
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Use your finger or a knife to create an opening in the cardamom pod, then add to bottle
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Fill remainder of bottle with fermented kombucha, leaving approx. 1 inch of headspace at the top of the bottle.
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Seal bottle and move gently to combine ingredients
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Allow kombucha to ferment in a dark, warm space for 2-3 days*. Then, begin tasting daily.
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Once kombucha meets your flavor preferences, refrigerate it and enjoy! Remove cardamom pod & eat or strain date(s), per your preferences.
Recipe Notes
*Taste after 2 days fermentation if you like your kombucha on the sweet side.
You may want to “burp” bottles (AKA lift lid slightly to release excess carbonation) on a daily basis. If there isn’t much pressure to be released after 24 hours, try every other day.
That’s all for Cardamom Date Kombucha. Enjoy!
How did you like this recipe? We would love to know! Please share your feedback by rating the recipe and/or commenting below. 🙂
