kombucha 101 thread!

backtobasicsmum · 09-11-2011, 06:22 PM

Please tell me all there is to know about kombucha.
I know it is good for you.

Someone local was offering free scobys (scobies??).

How to you use your kombucha? How do you "care" for it? Favorite recipies? Is it dairy/wheat free?

cobluegirl · 09-11-2011, 06:53 PM

This is a great place to start.

http://users.chariot.net.au/~dna/kombucha.htm

It is fermented tea. High on probiotics. We drink it. Yes it should be wheat and dairy free.

1 gallon of black or green tea with 1.5 cups of sugar dissolved into it. 1-2 cups of Kt starter and a scoby... (or you can use a jar of raw KT from the hfs and it will grow you as scoby)

backtobasicsmum · 09-11-2011, 07:07 PM

I'm assuming KT is kombucha tea? Do I need some of a previous batches tea AND a scoby?

cobluegirl · 09-11-2011, 07:09 PM

KT is Kombucha tea.

If you start with a bottle from the store you don't need a scoby. It will grow one and then you just use some of your Kt with the new scoby for your next batch.

backtobasicsmum · 09-11-2011, 07:12 PM

I don't have a HFS locally, but someone is town is offering a scoby. Do I have to have some of the tea?

cobluegirl · 09-11-2011, 07:16 PM

oh yes.. you will want to have some of their tea as a starter... 1 cup should be enough.

09-11-2011, 07:18 PM

houseforjoy · 09-11-2011, 07:25 PM

yes you need a scoby and some previous tea. the person giving you the scoby should be giving you that tea as well. If it doesn't come with a small amount of tea you can use apple cider vinegar in place of it.
but generally when i make mine i do 3 quarts filtered water (NOT tap, the chlorine and other stuff in tap water will kill the scoby) 4 black tea bags, and 1 cup sugar. if you search on GCM there are a few threads out there. you need to use a wide mouth container. some people put it in a bowl (oh and do not use PLASTIC, the kombucha scoby tries to clean whatever container it is in, so if you put it in plastic it will suck some of the plastic chemicals out, use only glass containers-no metal)

http://www.amazon.com/Jarden-Waterme...793934&sr=8-15

I use something similar to that only without the spout on the bottom. i can get the jars for only 3 bucks though.

then you boil the water and add in the tea bags (i usually put the tea bags in a large thermos and add 1 qt boiling water and let it sit covered with a towel for 20 minutes) then add the other 2 qts water to the glass jar, the tea and the sugar. stir till sugar is dissolved. then pour in the previous batch tea (about 1/2 cup i think ) and then carefully lay the kombucha scoby on top (the water should just be warm, if it is hot let it cool covered with a towel) then cover the jar with a white tea towel or old white t-shirt material. let it sit for 7 days, in a warmish place where it won't get bumped. then after 7 days take your scoby out and a small amount of tea and either repeat the process or store it in a pint jar-- if storing the scoby should be covered in tea and placed in the fridge till ready to use, but try not to let it be in there for more then 2 weeks.

well there's a lot of info

backtobasicsmum · 09-12-2011, 02:51 PM

Thanks for all that.

Does it matter what kind of tea I use? Do you gals have any favorites?

And...what is it supposed to look/smell like when done?

cobluegirl · 09-12-2011, 04:54 PM

You will need to have some black tea...you can mix it with fruit teas but not Zingers....

We like Black Cherry.

backtobasicsmum · 09-12-2011, 05:41 PM

I really, really prefer white teas....can I try those?

cobluegirl · 09-12-2011, 05:47 PM

Did you read Domm's site? I am not sure. I would think so but I seem to recall that it needs something that is in the black teas...

zak · 09-12-2011, 06:08 PM

Coming back to this. I just started my first batch this week and I hit day 5 tomorrow.

We are going to put it in quart jars and flavor them with frozen fruits (raspberry, blueberry and strawberry).

MIL gave me my scoby and tea to start.

Seems pretty easy. I was worried about making a lot of work for myself.

backtobasicsmum · 09-12-2011, 07:14 PM

That sounds good, Zak, adding fruit! Let us know how it goes.

cobluegirl · 09-12-2011, 07:16 PM

i did it once with Strawberry.... LOL

09-11-2011, 06:22 PM	#1
backtobasicsmum Rose Garden Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 29,784	kombucha 101 thread! Please tell me all there is to know about kombucha. I know it is good for you. Someone local was offering free scobys (scobies??). How to you use your kombucha? How do you "care" for it? Favorite recipies? Is it dairy/wheat free? __________________ Karisa W -17 My talking boy E - 16 My doing boy J - 14 My sparkly girl L - 11 My funny boy O - 9 My snuggly boy Last edited by backtobasicsmum; 05-25-2012 at 01:39 AM.

09-11-2011, 06:53 PM	#2
cobluegirl Rose Garden never be afraid of who you were meant to be Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 43,819	Re: kombucha 101 thread! This is a great place to start. http://users.chariot.net.au/~dna/kombucha.htm It is fermented tea. High on probiotics. We drink it. Yes it should be wheat and dairy free. 1 gallon of black or green tea with 1.5 cups of sugar dissolved into it. 1-2 cups of Kt starter and a scoby... (or you can use a jar of raw KT from the hfs and it will grow you as scoby) __________________ T4/1 ISTJ Enneagram 9 Ds-T4/2 Dd1-T1/4 Dd2-T2/1 The greatest challenge for most of us is believing that we are worthy now, right this minute. Worthiness doesn't have prerequisites. ~Brene Brown "The Gifts of Imperfection"[/CENTER]

09-11-2011, 07:07 PM	#3
backtobasicsmum Rose Garden Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 29,784	Re: kombucha 101 thread! I'm assuming KT is kombucha tea? Do I need some of a previous batches tea AND a scoby? __________________ Karisa W -17 My talking boy E - 16 My doing boy J - 14 My sparkly girl L - 11 My funny boy O - 9 My snuggly boy

09-11-2011, 07:09 PM	#4
cobluegirl Rose Garden never be afraid of who you were meant to be Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 43,819	Re: kombucha 101 thread! KT is Kombucha tea. If you start with a bottle from the store you don't need a scoby. It will grow one and then you just use some of your Kt with the new scoby for your next batch. __________________ T4/1 ISTJ Enneagram 9 Ds-T4/2 Dd1-T1/4 Dd2-T2/1 The greatest challenge for most of us is believing that we are worthy now, right this minute. Worthiness doesn't have prerequisites. ~Brene Brown "The Gifts of Imperfection"[/CENTER]

09-11-2011, 07:12 PM	#5
backtobasicsmum Rose Garden Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 29,784	Re: kombucha 101 thread! I don't have a HFS locally, but someone is town is offering a scoby. Do I have to have some of the tea? __________________ Karisa W -17 My talking boy E - 16 My doing boy J - 14 My sparkly girl L - 11 My funny boy O - 9 My snuggly boy

09-11-2011, 07:16 PM	#6
cobluegirl Rose Garden never be afraid of who you were meant to be Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 43,819	Re: kombucha 101 thread! oh yes.. you will want to have some of their tea as a starter... 1 cup should be enough. __________________ T4/1 ISTJ Enneagram 9 Ds-T4/2 Dd1-T1/4 Dd2-T2/1 The greatest challenge for most of us is believing that we are worthy now, right this minute. Worthiness doesn't have prerequisites. ~Brene Brown "The Gifts of Imperfection"[/CENTER]

09-11-2011, 07:18 PM	#7
wisdomjourney Guest Posts: n/a	Re: kombucha 101 thread!

09-11-2011, 07:25 PM	#8
houseforjoy Rose Garden trying to live like olaf "this is the best day of my life!... and quite possibly the last!" Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: in the sunshine with my own personal flurry Posts: 9,563	Re: kombucha 101 thread! yes you need a scoby and some previous tea. the person giving you the scoby should be giving you that tea as well. If it doesn't come with a small amount of tea you can use apple cider vinegar in place of it. but generally when i make mine i do 3 quarts filtered water (NOT tap, the chlorine and other stuff in tap water will kill the scoby) 4 black tea bags, and 1 cup sugar. if you search on GCM there are a few threads out there. you need to use a wide mouth container. some people put it in a bowl (oh and do not use PLASTIC, the kombucha scoby tries to clean whatever container it is in, so if you put it in plastic it will suck some of the plastic chemicals out, use only glass containers-no metal) http://www.amazon.com/Jarden-Waterme...793934&sr=8-15 I use something similar to that only without the spout on the bottom. i can get the jars for only 3 bucks though. then you boil the water and add in the tea bags (i usually put the tea bags in a large thermos and add 1 qt boiling water and let it sit covered with a towel for 20 minutes) then add the other 2 qts water to the glass jar, the tea and the sugar. stir till sugar is dissolved. then pour in the previous batch tea (about 1/2 cup i think ) and then carefully lay the kombucha scoby on top (the water should just be warm, if it is hot let it cool covered with a towel) then cover the jar with a white tea towel or old white t-shirt material. let it sit for 7 days, in a warmish place where it won't get bumped. then after 7 days take your scoby out and a small amount of tea and either repeat the process or store it in a pint jar-- if storing the scoby should be covered in tea and placed in the fridge till ready to use, but try not to let it be in there for more then 2 weeks. well there's a lot of info __________________ Amanda, ENFJ Mommy to my bounty: ds 13 years, dd 12 years, dd 9 years , dd 6 and ds 4 Psalm 13 How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?How long will you hide your face from me? 2 How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day?....because I am shaken. 5 But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. 6 I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me.

09-12-2011, 02:51 PM	#9
backtobasicsmum Rose Garden Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 29,784	Re: kombucha 101 thread! Thanks for all that. Does it matter what kind of tea I use? Do you gals have any favorites? And...what is it supposed to look/smell like when done? __________________ Karisa W -17 My talking boy E - 16 My doing boy J - 14 My sparkly girl L - 11 My funny boy O - 9 My snuggly boy

09-12-2011, 04:54 PM	#10
cobluegirl Rose Garden never be afraid of who you were meant to be Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 43,819	Re: kombucha 101 thread! You will need to have some black tea...you can mix it with fruit teas but not Zingers.... We like Black Cherry. __________________ T4/1 ISTJ Enneagram 9 Ds-T4/2 Dd1-T1/4 Dd2-T2/1 The greatest challenge for most of us is believing that we are worthy now, right this minute. Worthiness doesn't have prerequisites. ~Brene Brown "The Gifts of Imperfection"[/CENTER]

09-12-2011, 05:41 PM	#11
backtobasicsmum Rose Garden Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 29,784	Re: kombucha 101 thread! I really, really prefer white teas....can I try those? __________________ Karisa W -17 My talking boy E - 16 My doing boy J - 14 My sparkly girl L - 11 My funny boy O - 9 My snuggly boy

09-12-2011, 05:47 PM	#12
cobluegirl Rose Garden never be afraid of who you were meant to be Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 43,819	Re: kombucha 101 thread! Did you read Domm's site? I am not sure. I would think so but I seem to recall that it needs something that is in the black teas... __________________ T4/1 ISTJ Enneagram 9 Ds-T4/2 Dd1-T1/4 Dd2-T2/1 The greatest challenge for most of us is believing that we are worthy now, right this minute. Worthiness doesn't have prerequisites. ~Brene Brown "The Gifts of Imperfection"[/CENTER]

09-12-2011, 06:08 PM	#13
zak Administrator Friend of the Fellowship Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: The South Posts: 33,212	Re: kombucha 101 thread! Coming back to this. I just started my first batch this week and I hit day 5 tomorrow. We are going to put it in quart jars and flavor them with frozen fruits (raspberry, blueberry and strawberry). MIL gave me my scoby and tea to start. Seems pretty easy. I was worried about making a lot of work for myself. __________________ -zak Wife to MrZak Mama to the ZakKids - 2005, 2007, 2010, 2012 and 2017 Dedicated GCMer since 2003 Administrator and Moderating Cradled, Babes, Breastfeeding, Beautiful Mothers and Circumcision

09-12-2011, 07:14 PM	#14
backtobasicsmum Rose Garden Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 29,784	Re: kombucha 101 thread! That sounds good, Zak, adding fruit! Let us know how it goes. __________________ Karisa W -17 My talking boy E - 16 My doing boy J - 14 My sparkly girl L - 11 My funny boy O - 9 My snuggly boy

09-12-2011, 07:16 PM	#15
cobluegirl Rose Garden never be afraid of who you were meant to be Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 43,819	Re: kombucha 101 thread! i did it once with Strawberry.... LOL __________________ T4/1 ISTJ Enneagram 9 Ds-T4/2 Dd1-T1/4 Dd2-T2/1 The greatest challenge for most of us is believing that we are worthy now, right this minute. Worthiness doesn't have prerequisites. ~Brene Brown "The Gifts of Imperfection"[/CENTER]

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

X vBulletin 3.8.3 Debug Information
Page Generation 0.08178 seconds Memory Usage 8,007KB Queries Executed 14 (?)
More Information
Template Usage: (1)SHOWTHREAD (1)ad_footer_end (1)ad_footer_start (1)ad_header_end (1)ad_header_logo (1)ad_navbar_below (1)ad_showthread_beforeqr (1)ad_showthread_firstpost (1)ad_showthread_firstpost_sig (1)ad_showthread_firstpost_start (1)cyb_flashimagebanners (1)footer (1)forumjump (1)forumrules (1)gobutton (1)header (1)headinclude (1)navbar (3)navbar_link (60)option (1)pagenav (1)pagenav_curpage (4)pagenav_pagelink (2)pagenav_pagelinkrel (15)post_groan_box (1)post_groan_javascript (1)post_groan_navbar_search (15)post_thanks_box (4)post_thanks_box_bit (1)post_thanks_javascript (1)post_thanks_navbar_search (2)post_thanks_postbit_legacy (15)postbit_legacy (14)postbit_onlinestatus (154)postbit_reputation (15)postbit_wrapper (4)showthread_bookmarksite (1)smqre_editor_button (1)spacer_close (1)spacer_open (1)tagbit_wrapper Phrase Groups Available: global inlinemod postbit posting reputationlevel showthread	Included Files: ./showthread.php ./global.php ./includes/init.php ./includes/class_core.php ./includes/config.php ./includes/functions.php ./includes/class_hook.php ./includes/functions_notice.php ./mobiquo/smartbanner.php ./mobiquo/include/classTTConnection.php ./mobiquo/smartbanner/head.inc.php ./includes/functions_bigthree.php ./includes/class_postbit.php ./includes/class_bbcode.php ./includes/functions_reputation.php ./includes/adminfunctions_template.php ./includes/functions_misc.php ./includes/functions_post_thanks.php ./includes/functions_post_groan.php Hooks Called: init_startup cache_permissions fetch_threadinfo_query fetch_threadinfo fetch_foruminfo style_fetch cache_templates global_start parse_templates fetch_musername notices_check_start global_setup_complete showthread_start template_groups template_safe_functions template_compile showthread_getinfo forumjump showthread_post_start showthread_query_postids showthread_query bbcode_fetch_tags bbcode_create showthread_postbit_create postbit_factory postbit_display_start post_thanks_function_post_thanks_off_start post_thanks_function_post_thanks_off_end post_thanks_function_fetch_thanks_start post_thanks_function_fetch_thanks_end post_thanks_function_thanked_already_start post_thanks_function_thanked_already_end post_groan_function_post_groan_off_start post_groan_function_post_groan_off_end post_groan_function_fetch_groans_start post_groan_function_fetch_groans_end post_groan_function_groaned_already_start post_groan_function_groaned_already_end reputation_image bbcode_parse_start postbit_imicons bbcode_parse_complete_precache bbcode_parse_complete postbit_display_complete error_fetch post_thanks_function_fetch_thanks_bit_start post_thanks_function_show_thanks_date_start post_thanks_function_fetch_thanks_bit_end post_thanks_function_fetch_post_thanks_template_start post_thanks_function_fetch_post_thanks_template_end pagenav_page pagenav_complete tag_fetchbit_complete forumrules showthread_bookmarkbit navbits navbits_complete showthread_complete
Messages: