How to make your first batch of Kombucha
Kombucha is everywhere now you can buy from your local health food store and even your local supermarket may stock it. But it is very expensive to buy and if consume regularly you may just want to make your own. I have been making my own Kombucha and have been selling and sharing my Scoby's for a few years now. If you can get a Scoby off a friend or from a seller with a good reputation it is very easy to make your own.
What you will need:
Kombucha Scoby
Starter Tea or Distilled White Vinegar
Organic Tea
Boiled Filtered Water
Organic Sugar
1 or 2 litre Jar
Tea Towel (tight weave cloth) or paper coffee filter
Elastic or Rubber Bands
Plastic or Wooden Stirring Utensils
Instructions:
To make 1 litre you will need -
2-3 cups of water, 1/4 cup of sugar, 2 teabags or 1/2 tablespoon of loose leaf tea, 1/2 cup of starter tea (125mls) or vinegar.
To make 2 litres you will need -
6-7 cups of water, 4 teabags or 1 tablespoon of loose leaf tea, 1/2 a cup of sugar, 1 cup of starter tea (250mls).
Combine boiled water and sugar in glass jar and stir with wooden or plastic spoon until combined.
Place Tea Bags in sugar water
Cool the water to 20-26 degrees celsius. Tea bags can be left in liquid to cool or removed after the first 10-15 minutes.
Remove tea bags or loose leaf tea from the liquid.
Add starter tea from Natural Mama or if no starter tea add distilled white vinegar.
Add your active Kombucha Scoby
Cover jar with tight weave towel or coffee filter secure with rubber or elastic band.
Allow to sit undisturbed out of direct sunlight for 7 - 30 days or to taste. (longer the fermentation the less sweet and more vinegary the taste).
Pour the kombucha off the top of the jar for consuming and retain the Scoby and enough liquid from the bottom of the jar for the starter teA.
Your Kombucha is now ready to be flavoured of bottled.
FAQ’s -
What Tea’s are best to use?
Different Organic Tea’s give the Kombucha flavour.
1) Black Tea is the best choice for keeping a Kombucha Scoby healthy.
2) Oolong Tea is another good option.
3) Green Tea you should make when have extra Scoby’s available.
4) White Tea use with later batches.
5) Rooibos Tea Use with later batches, Other Herbal Teas use with later batches.
As a rule it is best to wait 4 batches prior to changing from back tea. If want no caffeine use decaf black tea.
What Sugar should of use to feed my Scoby?
1) Organic White Sugar or Organic Cane Juice Crystals are the best option for a healthy Scoby.
2) Brown, Raw or Whole Cane Sugar are hard on a Scoby.
3) Honey if you want to use always ensure that you have a back up Scoby.
4) Agave, Maple etc should never be used with a Scoby.
We hope you enjoy your Kombucha and all the health benefits that it brings to you and your family.
If you ever have any questions please don’t hesitate to be in touch.
Best Wishes
Natural Mama
