How to Make Beet Kvass
Beet kvass is to bile like paint thinner is to paint! One of our liver’s job is to help remove toxins from our body. It stores many of these toxins in our bile which is stored in our gallbladder. The gallbladder releases bile into the intestines when you consume fat because bile emulsifies the fat (breaks the fat up into solution) making it easier to digest and absorb.
Bile is released when you consume fat, so if you don’t consume fat bile is not released very often. When bile is not released very often then it can become viscous from being sedentary. A high toxic load as well as a low fat diet or a diet free of animal fats can also cause viscous bile. This is not good because the toxins stored in your bile by your liver aren’t able to be released, leading to many issues.
If you think you have a high toxicity load or have been on a low fat diet for a while, start slow with the kvass. If you drink too much too fast you may experience a healing reaction. What this means is that you might release a lot of toxins and feel nauseous. If this happens just take a break and don’t drink as much next time. Did I also mention that since beet kvass is fermented it is also loaded with probiotics (beneficial gut microbes)? 🙂
To avoid mold growth use a jar with a rubber gasket lid like this one.
- 1.5 liter anaerobic container (glass jar with a rubber gasket lid, like the one pictured)
- 3 medium beets, peeled and chopped coarsely (no smaller than one cubic inch) (Note: when using beets with greens, make sure the greens have been detached from the beets for at least 7 days)
- 2 inch piece of ginger, thinly sliced or largely grated (optional)
- 2% brine (19 grams unrefined, mineralized salt for every 4 cups filtered water)
- Place grated ginger into anaerobic container
- Add the peeled and chopped beets
- Pour in brine (See notes below)
- Clamp down lid, place in a dark space like a cupboard (UV light kills microbes)
- Leave at room temperature (68-72° F) for about 2-3 weeks. Depending on the temperature (less time in warmer temperatures, more time in cooler temperatures) it might be done sooner or later than 3 weeks. The kvass should not taste too salty or too vinegary. If it is too salty it did not brew long enough. If it is too vinegary it brewed for too long.
- Optional: After it is done fermenting, you may let the beet kvass age for a few weeks in the refrigerator. This gives more depth of flavor.
- To make 2% brine heat water lightly on stove, add salt (19 grams unrefined, mineralized salt for every 4 cups filtered water). Stir until salt is completely dissolved. Let brine cool to room temperature before adding it to the beets.
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Hello~
Could you please tell me what is mineralized salt? Where do you get it and what brand you use?
Thank you,
Lisa
Salt that is not refined, bleached, and does not have anti-caking agent. Most table salts are all of those things, so don’t use regular table salt. I like to use Himalayan salt. Hope this helps 🙂
Thank you, Brenda. I have the Himalayan salt. 🙂
Hi. Thanks for this recipe! How much should a person starting off consume? A whole cup? A few teaspoons?
Lisa, it really depends on the person and how sensitive they are. I would start with a teaspoon and see how you do. If you do well try a couple teaspoons the next day. If this goes well increase to a 1/4 cup etc. Just gradually increase daily and see how your body responds. If you have a healing reaction just simply take a break for a few days and just start slower. Eventually you should be able to drink as much as you want 🙂
how many ounces is 1.5 litres and how much is 19 grams in non-metric measurements? I don’t own metric measuring utensils–LOL us older gals never got along well with metric system and still don’t understand it
Hi Karen!
1.5 liters is equal to 6.3 cups or 50.7 ounces. Most measuring cups have ml on one side 1.5 liters is equal 1500 ml.
19 grams is equal to 0.67 ounces. I use a gram scale which also measures ounces.
I hope this helps!