making kombucha

[dread head vegan]

i just baught some kombucha has anyone made it? any tips or suggestions? thanks:D

[Rawkinlocs]

I make it all the time! :)

There are a lot of threads posted here about making kombucha, but here is a guide I put together on brewing kombucha for my local classes. I put it in PDF format but in class, I usually give hand-outs of it.

Let me know if you have any questions:
http://eatlivingfood.com/kombuchabasics.pdf (right-click on it and choose "save link as" or "save target as" if you want to save it to your hard drive)

[dread head vegan]

thanks so much:D

[rayofsunshine]

That was so informative. Thanks so much Rawkinlocs!

[Chickadee]

I have been making Kombucha for years, and would like to add a couple of things to all the great info Rawkinlocs shared. First, while it's essential that everything be clean when making Kombucha, since Kombucha is a strong detoxifier it will pull the soap residue right off the glass jar and anything else it comes into contact with(including your hands), so to counter this rinse everything with distilled vinegar (white or apple) which strips the residue right off and won't harm your scoby or kombucha. Second, if you can't find someone willing to pass along a scoby, you can grow one yourself from raw store bought Kombucha, but only the unflavored kind, usually called "Original". Don't misunderstand me, the flavored kind will grow a scoby too, but what Rawkinlocks explains regarding flavoring after initial ferment especially applies when just starting a scoby. Third, scoby(...scobi?...scobies?) can really start adding up, I mean every time you brew, you end up with two, so if you get overwhelmed with scobys you should know they are great in your compost, and a friend of mine lets them dry out and then gives them to her dogs. Dried they are like leather chew toys and the dogs love them. We've even seen birds pick at them in her backyard. And you can always post a note online or at your local hfs, offering to share the scoby wealth. :D

Rawkinlocs, your pdf is awesome! Thanks for sharing! If you'll give me permission, I'd like to hand out your pdf (giving you credit of course)to the people I give scobies to when I pass them along. I don't teach classes or anything, just sharing the scoby-love if anyone wants one (or two...or ten...they kinda remind me of Tribbles :D ).

[Veganforlife]

Rawkinlocs and Chickadee - GR8 info! Thanks so much! I too make it, and LOVE it!