Edible Vancouver Island March/April 2024

effort to heal herself through food. After a few successful batches of probiotic-rich booch, she went all in with the Island renowned Cultured Kombucha brand. Based in Victoria, Susut continues to craft her flavourful lineup of brews, but now also offers Kombucha Workshops and Kits to spread the love of this bubbly ferment. Learning to brew kombucha is an especially perfect fit for kids. Learning to brew kombucha is an especially perfect fit for kids because, as Christine says, "There are endless possibilities. It's such a great way to get creative with flavours, and they get to decide on that. There is no wrong way to do it." Whether it's a watermelon-strawberry mashup or pineapple-mango, kids love taking over the role of brewmaster. Cultured Kombucha kits come with everything you need to start your sweet fermented adventure, including a precious heritage SCOBY (kombucha starter). For anyone looking for a bit of hands on experience, check back regularly with Cultured Kombucha for workshops held throughout the year on all things related to fermentation. SOAP CRAFTING With your mozzarella pulled and your kombucha bubbling away, wash up with a final new homespun tradition: soap crafting. Under the practiced hand of Melissa Labelle of Wychbury Ave Soap, your family can easily learn the lifelong skill of creating cold-process soap. Attendees of one of Wychbury Ave Soap's workshops (held regularly at the Esquimalt Recreation Centre) walk away with 10 bars of their own artisanal and handmade soap, plus all the skills to keep this tradition up in their own home.

Photo April Marr

Photo courtesy of the Cheese Maker

Labelle's workshops cater to everyone, from families and friends to couples. She also offers kid-specific classes for bath bombs and bubble baths. For those with some soap-making experience, Wychbury Ave Soap also has a handful of time-tested recipes available through their online shop. FAMILY BONDING There is a unique beauty in approaching traditions with purpose. With each batch of cheese, bottle of kombucha and bar of soap, you can lay the groundwork for long-standing family traditions, creating a testament to the joy of making and sharing memorable experiences as a family. Jessica McKeil is a writer and owner of Sea to Sky Content, who lives on, eats from and explores Salt Spring Island, Canada. She's gradually building up her little family's traditions, from batches of kimchi to cookies.

Photo Melissa Labelle

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