Most people bring back soap, leather handbags or a new sundress from Tuscany. I brought back… ginger. Locally grown, fresh and fiery ginger, straight from the veg patch near the friends we stayed with.

Why? Because I wanted to feed my ginger bug — my bubbly, probiotic starter I’ve been using all summer to make homemade ginger beer. It’s become a firm family favourite, especially mixed with fizzy water for a zingy, gut-loving, mood-lifting drink that reminds us of warm evenings and belly laughs on holiday.

I also added it to my kombucha with a little orange juice for a recent event (have a scroll through my recent posts to see how it went down!)

As the seasons begin to turn and the back-to-school energy kicks in, I’m leaning into the immune-supporting magic of fermentation. Ginger is warming, carminative, and gently stimulating — and when combined with the beneficial symbiosis of microbes from the fermentation process, it becomes a powerful ally for digestion, immune system support and overall nervous system resilience.

Want to Make Your Own?

Here’s how I start my ginger bug at home:

Simple Ginger Bug Recipe

• 2 tbsp (about 1–2 inches) grated fresh ginger (unpeeled — wash the skin if needed, but fresh is best for the natural microbes)

• 1/4 cup sugar

• 1 litre filtered water

Add everything to a clean glass jar and stir well. In about 5–7 days, you should see bubbles and a lovely gingery fizz. That’s your bug ready to go.

Ongoing Care & Use:

Each week, strain out almost all the ginger bug liquid and store it in a glass container in the fridge. I compost about 1/3 of the grated ginger, then add:

• 1 inch grated fresh ginger

• 3–4 tbsp sugar

• Top up with filtered water and stir to dissolve

Cover with a kitchen towel and secure with a rubber band. Taste it daily — I like it when it tastes gingery but still has a little sweetness.

Add a few tablespoons to:

• Sparkling or still water

• Cooled herbal teas

• Fresh juice (apple is especially lovely!)

• Kombucha or water kefir

Fermentation Made Simple

Let me know if you give it a go! It’s easier to care for than sourdough and brings some sunshine, microbes, and immunity into your daily rhythm — especially helpful as we shift seasons and support ourselves (and our families) through new routines.