Detailed Description
Tibicos (Chinese Mushrooms) are known by many different names in every part of the world. Tepache, corn beverage, California Bees, Water Kefir Crystals, Wasserkefir, Piltz, Kefir di frutta, Colonch and rapaddura are just a few. They are also referred to as the Drink of the Prophet, and the grains of the Prophet Mohammed, There are many stories associated with the discovery of these as well. Stories dealing with the miraculous benefits and the giving or passing on of the grains to those in need.
It is said that Mother Therese of Calcutta once traveled to Tibet and met the monks and masters of that region who respectful of her work gave her these translucent gels hence the name Tibetan Mushrooms.
Tibicos, are compact, gelatinous masses, with a white or yellowish color. The form and size varies. Tibicos are made up of water, bacteria and yeasts. [Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Candida queretana, Bacillus subtilis, B graveolus, Torulopsis insconspicna, (Aidoo, 1986)]. A probiotic similiar to kefir, kombucha, Caspian Sea Yogurt and Viili. They seem to thrive best on what is called Mexican Sugar or PILONCILLO ( pronounced pee-lon-SEE-yoh) Piloncillo is made from pure sugar cane juice from cane that has been hand cut, crushed mechanically and then heated to reduce its water content. The resulting thick syrup is poured into cone-shaped molds to dry. The cones of Piloncillo are called Panela. Piloncillo is molasses-free, chemical-free. and the tibicos loves it. Though you can use just about any sugar and mix with fresh fruit like apples, pineapples, lemons, organes, and with GINGER producing what some refer to as Ginger Beer.