Is summer complete without soda to beat the sun? We're gonna be sippin' on a lot in this hot weather, so we should consider how it's made and where the soda can come from, especially if there's a way to make your own from scratch.
Today, soda is typically made via industrial processes that bubble carbon dioxide through water. Tons of it is consumed around the world, as major brands like Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and the like have made carbonated beverages immensely popular.
However, it is possible to create your own natural form of carbonated soda at home, and it's a pretty straightforward process. Foodbeast Chris Abouabdo was able to use the "ginger bug" method on our Twitch streams to make his own fizzy orange soda without using sparkling water, SodaStream machines, or any other technology.
Before getting into the method, it should be noted that there are other ways of getting natural "soda water." Several springs, especially in areas that have or have had high volcanic activity, may have enough carbon dioxide naturally dissolved inside that it may be fizzy upon drinking. Chemist Joseph Priestley later came up with a method to naturally impart the gas into the water, the basis of how the industry makes soda today.
The "ginger bug" method is a third, separate method that would be more akin to how beer gets it fizz. By fermenting ginger with sugar, microbes naturally present in ginger ferment it to produce carbon dioxide, with negligible amounts of alcohol produced. The result is a refreshing sparkling beverage that anybody can drink and enjoy.
A ginger bug does take a couple of days to make on its own, and you can then add whichever flavors you like. After another couple of days of fermentation, the soda is ready to chill and serve.
It's a more intensive and longer process than sticking water and a capsule into a SodaStream then adding your own juice, or just even grabbing a bottle or can from the fridge. For those looking to make their own soda from scratch, however, this is one of the few ways to do so.
To see the process in full, you can view the above video or check out our stream on Twitch, which breaks down the process in detail.
