kombucha brewing
9.19.2008
I finally did it! Well, not quite yet...but I'm finally starting to do it! I kept some of my kombucha that I buy by the pint from our farmer and set it out (covered with a paper towel) for about 12 days. It grew a scoby and once it got about 1/8" thick I decided it was time to get my supplies together and get started. To make kombucha you need: 3 quarts of water, 5 regular black tea bags (Lipton works best), 1 1/2 cups white sugar (don't worry, all the sugar is consumed in the fermentation process), and a glass bowl or jar of some sort (1 gallonish). For this first batch, I'm going to use a glass pitcher. I bought this giant jar from Target, not realizing how ridiculously huge it was. I think I might exchange it for a normal, gallon size tomorrow. Or I might use it to store my kombucha, and keep adding to it every batch until I have a giant jar of kombucha!!! If I don't drink it all too fast :).
Anyway, back to how it's done. You bring to a boil 3 quarts of water in a stainless steel pot. Add sugar and boil for 5 minutes. Then take it off the heat and add the 5 tea bags and steep for 10 minutes. Removed the tea bags and let cool for 20 minutes, then pour into a glass bowl or jar for just under 2 hours to bring to room temperature. Apparently it's not advisable to let it cool too much - that invites mold to grow apparently. Next step after it's at room temp is to add your starter culture - that's the kombucha that your scoby is sitting in. Stir it in gently. Now, carefully slide the scoby into the tea (rough side down). Cover with a thin, white cloth or a cotton t-shirt and rubber band it securely. Now, keep it in a dark place between 70-90 degrees for 7-10 days. You'll know it's done because it will have grown a baby scoby on top of the mother! Gently separate, and start all over again with a double recipe and a container for each scoby, or find a friend and share the wealth!
I'm currently on the cooling to room temp stage. I'll try and post some pics of the scoby, and the new kombucha brew in about 10 days (fingers crossed).
Update: I've done all the steps! Now it's just a waiting game... Boy am I thirsty.
Posted bySarah at 9:55 PM
