Kombucha is a fermented fizzy tea, it is filled with probiotics and will take on any flavors depending on the tea used in the first ferment and the fruit or herbs added in the second ferment.
What you need:
1 Gallon Glass Jug - I use this one, but any glass gallon jug will do
SCOBY - Symbiotic Colony of Bacteria & Yeast (This bad boy is what ferments the tea)
Small amount of starter liquid (1 cup to 2 cups)- You can use kombucha without flavor from the store, but most of the time, if you buy a SCOBY it will come with a small amount to kick start your first fermented batch
Kitchen Towel
Rubber Band or Twine
Tea Bags (Black or Green) - I like to play around with the tea I use, don't limit yourself!
Liquid Measuring Cup
Small Pot
Glass Air Tight Bottles - I use these! The bottle matters, when it is air tight, you actually get the fizz! https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07JZWGQQN/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_image?ie=UTF8&th=1
Get Brewing!
Add 2 cups of water to a small pot on the stove, turn to medium heat
Add 1 cup of cane sugar to the pot
Add 6 individual tea bags to the pot, simmer and stir to incorporate the sugar and steep the tea for about 10 minutes.
While the tea is brewing, fill your gallon jug with filtered water. You need a total of 16 cups. *If you are starting with 1 cup of kombucha starter, add 13 cups of water to your gallon jug. If you are starting with 2 cups of starter add 12 cups of water!
When your tea is brewed in the pot, squeeze out the bags as much as you can.
Add the warm tea to your gallon jug, mix it slightly
Pour in your kombucha starter and add your SCOBY
Place a kitchen towel over the jar and secure with rubber band or twine.
Store your brew somewhere warm and leave it for about 1- 2 weeks. Taste test to determine if you want to continue fermenting or move to the second ferment! **The color of the brew will look lighter than when it first started, this is normal.
When you determine it tastes just right, you can bottle and add your fruit/herb flavoring.
Remove the SCOBY & save 2 cups of starter in a small bowl from your gallon jug to use in your next batch
Fill your bottles up to the neck with kombucha
Add your favorite fruits, whole or juiced
Kiwi Strawberry
Blueberry Thyme
Pineapple Mango
Apple Cinnamon
Strawberry Lemon
Blueberry Mint
The list goes on! Get creative! *Let the second ferment (with your fruits) sit for about 1 week. Make sure to check and burp or slightly open the top to make sure the contents are not under too much pressure.
*I love these bottles https://amzn.to/3JbmEkG from Amazon!
14. While you bottle, start the process again with your sugar, tea and water on the stove. Fill gallon with water, add new tea and SCOBY.
Fear not, the process may sound overwhelming, but overall it's a very short process and requires just a bit of patience.
**As with any food or beverage, if you feel like it smells off, don't drink it!
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