Re: kombucha 101 thread! *another question #32*
 

huh! learn something new everyday!! so i have my first strawberrybatch going. how many strawberries do you use? i used like 5 for one quart. they were ones i picked so they aren't the giant super market ones. i also let my batch brew for more then my normal week, and boy was it fizzy!! yummy!! can't wait for the strawberry!! how long should i let it sit again with the strawberry puree?

Re: kombucha 101 thread! *another question #32*
 

Anywhere from 2-14 days. Ish. Whenever... :lol

Re: kombucha 101 thread! *another question #32*
 

So happy to join you ladies for tea! :giggle I just bottled my first batch. :)

When you let your fruit sit in the jarred KT, do you store it in the fridge or at room temp? I'm curious to try flavouring it to see if my dk will drink it that way.

Another question is about storing a SCOBY to give to a friend. Is is okay to let it sit in a plastic ziploc bag for a couple of days (in a bit of it's own tea, of course) until it can be delivered? Should it be in the fridge or kept at room temp?

Re: kombucha 101 thread! *another question #32*
 

I'll change the title, in hopes someone who knows (not I!) can answer, River Rock.

And I have an additional question as well. After I've brewed my tea, and I'm putting it into jars with lids (I do some with fruit, some without), how do you get it bubbly? Mine isn't getting fizzy. I've done several batches now, following Lisa's method, and I'm tighly screwing the canning jar lids on, but it still isn't getting carbonated.

Re: kombucha 101 thread! *another new question #63 and 64*
 

I store the jarred fruited tea on the counter for 1 day and then refrigerate (per MIL's instructions :shifty ).

I think the scoby can be stored at room temp, I believe that's what Rach does.

No idea on the carbonation, K. I have some batches that are like Soda and others that... aren't. :lol


:popcorn for the more experienced answers!!

Re: kombucha 101 thread! *another new question #63 and 64*
 

:popcorn The fruit purees are you just taking some fruit and mashing it up?

Re: kombucha 101 thread! *another new question #63 and 64*
 

I just toss in whole frozen fruit. Berries and peaches, mostly.

Re: kombucha 101 thread! *another new question #63 and 64*
 

I was doing some pureed fruit (through it in my food processor) and some whole fruit. What ever strikes my fancy that day. Neither one seems to get fizzy.

Re: kombucha 101 thread! *another new question #63 and 64*
 

It is okay to put in a plastic bag for the day, but not a good idea for several days. The scoby's "natural instinct" is to clean it's environment, so when it is in plastic it will try to clean the plastic which will leach plastic chemicals into it. it is best to just store in an extra glass jelly/applesauce or whatever jar.

I don't know why yours wouldn't get fizzy :think. i leave mine on the counter to brew about 8 days for the tea, and then i put in a 2 "ice cubes" of pureed fruit, let it sit on the counter up to one day but usually just overnight and it is plenty fizzy. How warm is your kitchen (or wherever you are keeping it)??


anybody have more ideas for what to do with really strong komb?? I let a small batch sit for close to two weeks and it is really vinegary/strong tasting. i know lisa mentioned meat marinate, but anything else??

Re: kombucha 101 thread! *another new question #63 and 64*
 

In a book I'm reading about Kombucha it says that you can use it to rinse your hair. :shrug3 You could probably make salad dressing with it, too.

Re: kombucha 101 thread! *another new question #63 and 64*
 

oh!! i bet it would make an AWESOME hair rinse!! thank you for the idea:heart

Re: kombucha 101 thread! *another new question #63 and 64*
 

add a little sugar to it when you add the fruit if it isn't getting carbonated enough. That sometimes helps. I am keeping mine in the fridge with the fruit in it..but I think I may have let it sit out for a few days first. The fridge will slow down the fermentation.

scoby should be fine in a plastic bag. that is how they are shipped..ftr.

Re: kombucha 101 thread! *another new question #63 and 64*
 

Fridge vs room temp, depends who you ask. Some say to never refrigerate them because you'll get mold. I have refrigerated them for months with no issues.

To get carbonation I usually have to let it sit a week or more. And it's not an exact thing, fermentation it's always different every batch. adding a little sugar would probably help like Rachel said.

Re: kombucha 101 thread! *another new question #63 and 64*
 

I have a question! or two!

I've been seeing info about kombucha in different places on and off for the last year. So finally today, I bought a bottle at Whole Foods to satisfy my curiosity as to what it is. Is it supposed to taste like vinegar? It was kinda sweet, but I couldn't get past the vinegar flavor. I wanted to try learning more about it, and maybe making some, because the health benefits look great, but I don't know that I could ever swallow anything that remotely tasted like vinegar. The brand was GT Daves Botanic No. 7. Maybe I just got a flavor that was supposed to be more vinegary?

So basically my question is - can someone point me to a Kombucha I can buy at Whole Foods that is sweet with no hints of vinegar? I want to learn to like the flavor before I attempt to brew my own.

Also - is there an age limit on this stuff? Can my children drink it or should they not? I hated the bottle we got today, but my 3yo took a few sips and liked it. I would let him drink the rest if he wants if it is ok. But I wasn't sure.

Re: kombucha 101 thread! *another new question #63 and 64*
 

yes it is rather vinegary. different flavors are a little different. It is fine for your kids.