Kombucha Newbie

Prep your sweet tea

In the steeping vessel add 2 - 3 tbsp of loose tea or equivalent tea bags and 4 cups boiling water. Let steep 15 minutes. Strain into gallon jar and add sugar swirling or stirring to dissolve. You can add sugar to steeping tea if prefer.

Add approx 8 cups cool water, mix and test to make sure the temperature is between 70-90 degrees.

Add a healthy scoby

Once the water is the right temperature add 2 cups of previously brewed starter tea to the mix and your scoby.

Cover jar with a tight weave cloth secured with a large rubber band or string. This prevents fruit flies and other insects from getting in and allows the liquid to "breath"

Place in a warm dark spot with good airflow for about 1 week. Test for flavor about day 5 and once it reaches your desired taste you can bottle this batch and start all over.

Bottling your brew

Once the tea is to your taste it is time to bottle. Remove the scoby and set in a measuring cup.

Stir the kombucha well, remove 2 cups of the liquid adding to the scoby in the measuring cup to start your new batch.

Some people like the kombucha at this stage. I prefer to ferment a second time adding flavor. Flavors are limitless and totally whatever you prefer. I used frozen berries and fresh ginger mixing in my Vitamix to puree.

Add your flavoring puree to the sterilized bottles - approx 1/4-1/3 cup per bottle. Fill bottle with brewed kombucha to top leaving a bit of headspace. Wipe tops clean and seal.

Let the bottles sit in a dark area for a few days then move to the fridge to chill before opening and enjoying your beverage.