Mumbai Food: Fermented drink is the latest trend in February

Homemade Granola PicSNEHA KHARABESmoothies and granolaIts a glass filled with healthy treats mdash fresh fruit almonds oats honey sunflower seeds cashewnuts peanuts and white sesame mixed with kefir milk a fermented milk drink made with kefir grains Pictured here is the Homemade Granola 195 plus taxes the newest healthy offering at The Pantry in Kala Ghoda The eatery also serves a Kefir Milk with Vanilla and Honey 195 plus taxes and Kefir Milk with Strawberry and Mulberry Smoothie 245 plus taxesThe conversation began when we were discussing the possibility of bringing kombucha on tap at one of our other restaurants Then we heard about Moina Oberoi of MOs Kefir who was doing trials for her kefir milk We tasted some of it and liked it so decided to introduce it here says coowner Sumit GambhirTheyve experimented with it in raita dressings smoothies and milkshakes It goes best with granola and fresh fruit bowls The plain version has a funky taste that may not appeal to all so we started with the sweeter versions he addsAt Yashwant Chambers Military Square lane near Trishna Kala GhodaCall 22700082Ginger Ale and iced teaMost kefir drinks on supermarket shelves are milkbased However at The Boston Butt the ingredient is used in waterbased drinks On the menu are Lemon Molasses Kefir Iced Tea Apple Cinnamon Spice Kefir Iced Tea and Ginger Ale We wanted to serve a sodaflavoured beverage with a probiotic in it We got the culture from the United States It takes two batches of fermentation to produce a kefir drink The second batch happens right in the bottle from which you are served says Siddharth Kashyap chef and partner It takes between 48 and 72 hours to make a batch so its best to call and check for availabilityAt First floor Rampart Row 30 K Dubash Marg Kala GhodaCall 9892447669Cost Rs 300 plus taxesDetoxifying teasAt Harsh Negandhis home at Marine Drive you can find SCOBY symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast that he has been using for over a month to make kombucha which features on the menu of Bucha Bar a newlylaunched artisanal brewery he cofounded with a friend A friend made me taste the drink last year and I liked it Then I chanced upon SCOBY in Goa and started making kombucha at home says Negandhi We make it in two flavours mdash clarifying black tea and detoxifying green kombucha The drink has a shelf life of three days in the open to seven days refrigerated Email foodtraveler14gmailcom Cost Rs 150 250ml bottle delivery is free in South Bombay Rs 100 everywhere elseKombucha with sodaBastian serves a homebrewed kombucha a green tea and sugar mixed with soda The SCOBY plays a very important role in making the kombucha It normally takes about six t0 seven days to make a batch and get the desired taste says bar manager Ashitosh Narayanan adding that they can also make flavoured versions such as honey pineapple and ginger by replacing the sugar The drink is currently only part of the brunch menu served on Sundays but is available on other days on requestAt Bastian B1 New Kamal Building Linking Road Bandra W Call 26420145Cost Rs 250 plus taxes