Gut Health Recipe: How to Make Beet Kvass with Martha Carlin

One of my favorite beverages for gut health is beet kvass. I drink a 4 ounce shot several times per week! Beet kvass is a fermented beverage that can support the microbiome and digestive system due to its probiotic content. Beets are loaded with nutrients, and this drink can help alkalize blood, cleanse the liver, and promote bowel regularity. Beet kvass can also be used in place of vinegar in salad dressings and as an addition to soups!

Here’s an easy beet kvass recipe I use from Sally Fallon’s book, Nourishing Traditions.

Ingredients:

• 3 medium-sized organic beets, peeled and cut up coarsely
• 1/4 cup whey
• 4 cups of filtered water
• 1 tablespoon sea salt
• Filtered water

Instructions:

1. Place beets, whey and salt in a 2-quart glass container.
2. Add filtered water to fill the container.
3. Stir well and cover securely.
4. Keep at room temperature another 2 days.
5. The resulting brew will be slightly less strong than the first.
6. After the second brew, discard the beets and start again.
7. You may, however, reserve some of the liquid and use this as your inoculant instead of the whey.

Note: Do not use grated beets in the preparation of beet tonic. When grated, beets exude too much juice resulting in a too rapid fermentation that favors the production of alcohol rather than lactic acid.

Beet kvass has a unique flavor profile. It’s earthy, slightly salty, and mildly tangy due to the fermentation process. The addition of ginger or garlic can add subtle spicy or savory notes, enhancing the overall taste.

Yes, you can eat the beets after making kvass. While most of the nutrients from the beets will have leached into the kvass during fermentation, the beets will still retain some flavor and can be used in salads, soups, or even blended into smoothies.

Beet kvass is believed to have potential benefits for liver health. Beets are rich in antioxidants and betaine, which can support liver function and detoxification processes. Additionally, the probiotics produced during fermentation can help promote a healthy gut, which in turn may have positive effects on liver health.

If you are interested in even more details here’s a more detailed discussion on the Ferment for Function blog with lots more information!

Interested in learning more recipes to support your microbiome health? Check out our YouTube channel where I share my favorites!