How I make Kombucha

 I have found Kombucha really, really easy to make.  The hard part is the waiting for it to be done.

What you need:

* 6-8 teabags (organic green, black, oolong tea)

* 1 gallon filtered water

* stainless steel pan

* 1 gallon-size glass jar

* 1 cup to 1 1/2 cup organic sugar (I prefer turbinado)

* 1 SCOBY (mushroom) 

* 1 cup to 1 1/2 cup prepared Kombucha

* tea towel with rubber band

Here are the basic steps:

1.) In a stainless steel pot, boil 1 gallon or less of filtered, pure water

2.) add 1 cup to 1&1/2 cup sugar and stir until it is dissolved

3.) add 6-8 teabags and let steep 10 minutes (covered)

4.) let the tea mixture cool to room temperature

5.) pour tea into a gallon glass jar 

5.) add the SCOBY (mushroom culture) smooth side up

6.) cover opening with a clean cloth and secure with rubber band

7.) let mixture sit at room temperature for 6-14 days, you can taste-test using a straw

8.) bottle and refrigerate

Not to hard, right?  Here are some pictures of my kombucha making process.

 

Some things to note:

1.) Don't touch the SCOBY with metal.

2.) Only use wooden spoon or glass spoons for stirring.

3.) When you bottle your Kombucha, make sure to set aside 1 cup of kombucha and your SCOBY in a glass bowl for the next batch.

4.) You can store a SCOBY in the fridge while not in use.

5.) Your  SCOBY should make a baby every time you brew, however, after refrigeration, it might take a few brews to reproduce.

6.) I use Ikea glass bottles with a seal.  I like my Kombucha fizzy, these bottles help.

7.) When you bottle your Kombucha, you can add up to 5% of a flavor.  I like to use fresh squeezed lemons.  I add the pulp too!  Use any juice that is 100% juice with nothing (not even malic or citric acid) added.  

8.) If you add a flavor, let the bottles sit out at room temperature for 2 days for a second ferment, then refrigerate.

9.) Please, remember to start drinking this in small amounts.  It has wonderful properties, but your body does need to adjust. If you have questions on this let me know.
10.) Clean your tools and hands with vinegar.  Do not use antibacterial soap especially.