Re: kombucha 101 thread!
 

yes. I tried drinking it, but just couldn't. It tasted like vinegar. And the store-bought stuff taste's like wine or something. Which is already hard because i don't like the taste of that. But I figured I'd give mine a shot.

i probably brewed it too long.

Re: kombucha 101 thread!
 

My kids think that plain KT tastes like "zappy apple juice"! :giggle

Re: kombucha 101 thread!
 

You're doing fine. The second ferment will make it yummy, just you wait. It usually tastes like vinegar before the second ferment, which is the one that's alcoholic.

Re: kombucha 101 thread!
 

:phew Just read whole thread.

Ok so...Tell me if I got this right
1. grow or get scoby (I'm going to have to see if Whole foods near us sells made ones or the bottle to grow one)
2. Brew / cool add scoby to gallon size jar. cover with cloth
3. wait impatiently
4. try it, even though you know it needs a 2nd ferment Check ph
5. separate into air tight containers with favoring of choice (fruit puree, ginger... what have you)
6. wait impatiently
7. attempt to drink slowly.
???
Few questions, could I use a gallon pickle jar and the stop jars from Ikea?
What size jar do i use for growing scoby if I can't find one?
Is there a chart or something about temperature and ferment time?
Does it need to be dark or just darkish? (should I block all light from it?)
can the 2nd ferment be done in my bright kitchen?
and do I start my next brew once the 2nd ferment is started?

Thanks!

Lactobacilli won't grow well in light. KT is a diverse culture so it will still work but it is best to cover the while jar with a towel.

You don't have to do a 2nd ferment. Most people prefer to but it's but necessary.

70-80 degrees is ideal, iirc. It takes longer if it's cooler but it still works.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

You can store the SCOBYs in a jar with finished kt if you don't want to start a new batch right away. Some ppl refrigerate their scobys some sources say to never refrigerate them.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

Yes

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

Re: kombucha 101 thread!
 

My KT has been quietly sitting since 8/18. I tasted it last week and it was really sweet! I just tasted it and it's not as sweet but it's not very vinegar-y. The mushroom looks wonderful and there are bubbles under it. Should I let it sit another week or go ahead and bottle it up?

Re: kombucha 101 thread!
 

Totally up to you. It's ready, or you can let it sit.

Re: kombucha 101 thread!
 

I went ahead and bottled it. Nice fizz. :) I made a few flavored ones (ginger, ginger/blueberry juice, strawberry puree) to experiment. And have a new KT brew sitting.

I also separated the mother from the new scoby. My KT jar is HUGE so my new scoby formed to that size. I used a smaller jar when I grew the mother so I went ahead and separated it out so that I don't have one gigantic scoby. I keep it in the fridge until I'm ready to do something with it or share it, right?

Re: kombucha 101 thread!
 

I have a lot of peach black tea. It's just black tea with peach flavor. Can I brew some KT with that?

It's Stash brand, if that makes a diff.

Re: kombucha 101 thread!
 

do you have any plain black tea to mix it with? I wouldn't do it as a stand alone but mixed it should work. i have done it with Cherry and blueberry before.

Re: kombucha 101 thread!
 

I wouldn't. Goodness knows what they 'flavored' it with. It might be harmless, it might kill the scoby.

Re: kombucha 101 thread!
 

Hmm. It's Stash brand. AFAIK they're ok?

I do have black to mix it with.

Hrm.

Re: kombucha 101 thread!
 

Do you have more than one scoby so you can try it?