I make my kombucha differently than I used to. I forgot to tell you. The mother is much happier and healthier these days. So are her babies.
So . . . if you used to make it like this and it works for you . . . great.
But this is how I do it now.
(sweetened tea {left} ready to be fermented beside fresh kombucha{right})
Ingredients
- 3 tsp organic loose black tea
- 1 tsp organic loose green tea
- 1 – 1 1/2 cup organic cane sugar
- filtered water (I use 3 quarts)
- Kombucha SCOBY (I recommend using Cultures for Health)
- 1/2 cup kombucha from previous batch (you can also use vinegar)
- clean round bowl or “candy jar,” preferably (in my opinion) with a lid or mason jar
- towel and tape if you don’t have a lid (see original instructions) or paper coffee filter
Directions
I have changed from being adamant about using white sugar and Lipton tea . . . despite the directions I received with my last SCOBY.
I am better educated.
Plus . . . I like using organic ingredients. I’m Granola Mom after all. But seriously. SCOBY’s absorb whatever they come in contact with . . . which is why you don’t want them to contact metal or linger in plastic.
Do use sugar, not honey or other sugar substitute. You want to maintain a proper PH and deter unwanted organisms from growing in your culture.
- Heat your water to boiling.
- Add sugar and heat until it has dissolved.
- Once boiling has resumed, stir in loose tea.
- Turn stove off and allow tea to steep approximately 10 minutes or until cool.
- Strain tea leaves (don’t forget to compost!)
- Transfer sweet tea to glass jar and add SCOBY and 1/2 cup of previous kombucha (or vinegar substitute).
- Place your well fed SCOBY in a dark, safe place . . . preferable a quiet spot away from your compost container and fruit flies for 5-10 days, depending on your taste buds. The warmer the environment the faster the fermentation. The longer you allow it to brew, the more tart it will become.
- Bottle, chill and enjoy!
Each time you make kombucha, you will always grow a baby. You can give this baby to a friend or place it in your compost pile.
Or make a sling shot out of it . . . it works great as a substitute leather. Just saying.
