I had heard all about the wonders of Kombucha from many people. Sarah at the Healthy Home Economist even has some great videos (here and here) on how to make it. So, I ventured out (I usually do not like trying new things), and tried a bottle of Kombucha from the grocery store. One word…YUCK!
It was too alcoholic tasting and too carbonated for my liking, and I tried the grape flavor which was supposed to be the one that all the children even loved, and I couldn’t do but a tiny sip, and the rest went down the drain.
But, I had heard that homemade Kombucha tastes much different that the store bought variety. However, in looking for starter cultures I found that most kits were about $25-$30. I was not ready to spend that kind of money on something that I wasn’t even sure I would like at all.
Then, Liberty from 16 Balls in the Air linked up to a past Dr. Laura’s Tasty Tuesday. And guess what she linked up?? Her breakfast beverage of choice…Kombucha. Hmmm…
Well, as I try to do as much as I can, I visited and thanked her for visiting and linking up by leaving her a comment. But, in that comment, I also explained that I had wanted to try homemade, but was waiting for someone to take pity on me and give/send me a Kombucha SCOBY so I could try it out.
Lo and behold…not a day later and I get a lovely email from Liberty offering to send me a Kombucha SCOBY! Oh happy day! I really am forever indebted to Liberty for sending the SCOBY to me so I could play around.
Here’s my little baby SCOBY on the day it arrived in the mail:
So, I got to work, and using the recipe on Liberty’s post, I made up a half batch.
Kombucha – Liberty’s Recipe (halved)
6 regular tea bags
1/2 cup sugar
1 dishtowel and 1 rubber band
2 quarts boiling water
1/2 gallon glass jar
Boil water, and steep tea bags for about 10 minutes. Stir in sugar and dissolve. Let cool a bit. Pour into a glass jar, and add your SCOBY. Cover with towel and secure with rubber band. Let sit on counter for 7-10 days. Your SCOBY should grow a second SCOBY which you can either discard, give away, or use to start a double batch with. Pour off your tea, and reuse your SCOBY for another batch.
Here’s what it looked like at the beginning:
And then I waited…
And I waited…
And I waited some more because it turns out that the colder temperatures in the winter cause the fermentation process to take just a bit longer.
But, finally, the day arrived and my mother SCOBY had given birth…to a baby SCOBY! And I had my first batch of Kombucha.
Unfortunately, it still smelled strongly like beer (which I cannot stand, at all) or something, and not exactly as I envisioned it smelling considering that Liberty said it should be like “sparkling apple cider” (which I do like).
But, I bravely took a tiny sip…
It wasn’t so bad!
It’s not my favorite drink of choice…but I hear that it takes time, and it definitely did taste a bit like sparkling apple cider. But, my Kombucha did not look like Liberty’s Kombucha…mine was much darker. This could be because of the colder temperatures messing with the timing, or it could be the fact that I used a few too many tea bags, or it could be just user error (i.e. my fault).
But, it definitely tasted better than I thought it would, and I made another batch, which is fermenting as we speak. The first one was a little too sweet for my taste, and I don’t know if that’s because it didn’t go long enough, or because it went too long (I’ll have to find out the answer in the next few days before the second batch comes due…).
Overall, a successful experiment, and I’m excited to see what the next batch brings. I’m going to play around a bit, because I think it could be something that I would like, and the health benefit of drinking Kombucha is enough to make me keep experimenting…now that I have my very own mama SCOBY…
Thank you Liberty!!!
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I started making kombucha this past summer. One thing no one warned me about was the yucky looking strings of yeast that can hang down. My mom thinks it’s the grossest thing ever. My husband and I think it tastes a little like apple cider too. I put chopped strawberries in the bottom of the bottles once the kombucha is made. I let the bottles sit out for a couple more days. The tea will turn pink & have a yummy strawberry flavor.
http://nurturedfamilylife.blogspot.com
Lisa recently posted..Menu Plan Monday 1-3-11
Ohhh Lisa, I may have to try the strawberry trick….
How long do you let yours ferment at the beginning??
Dr. Laura
I haven’t made kombucha for at least 15 years! I really liked it and the health benefits, but it just got too much to keep maintaining. I named my SCOBY Mathilda and kept her going about two years before giving her away. I’d love to know someone who makes it.
Betty @ scrambled hen fruit recently posted..Rustic Cabbage Soup and New Years Intentions
Betty, I am excited to start, and would be happy to send you a baby SCOBY if you are interested in restarting…I can pay it forward from Liberty
Email me at: laura [at] OrganizeNOW [dot] info
if you are interested!
Dr. Laura
What an interesting post – I have never tried Kombucha but I have heard it is really good for you! Thank you for hosting Tasty Tuesday. Happy New Year!
April, I’m sure I’ll post again in a month or so to see how it’s going. I’m going to try to tweak it so that I love it more! Happy New Year to you too!
Dr. Laura
Great post about the kombucha, and I love that idea with putting strawberries in the bottom of the jars, thanks so much for those tips! I have just added this fun video of my sister and her son making kombucha, he loves the stuff (he is quite skinny now–he’s 5 years old, her baby is now two and soooo cute!)
Anyway with all this talk about kombucha I wanted to make sure you guys knew about the kombucha revolution being spearheaded by http://www.kombuchakamp.com. She has gotten a bunch of kombucha companies across US and Canada to hold giveaways for the rest of the week. I would just love to win the Continuous Brewer kit! You can easily join and help spread the good news. The Revolution will not be Pasteurized!
hellaD recently posted..I Wish I Had A Kombucha Koat
HellaD,
Thanks for letting me know and thanks for linking up the video! Great one! And thanks for passing along the info on the Kombucha giveaways! What a great way for some of my readers to try it
Dr. Laura
Hi Laura,
What a coincidence! Love to see new people posting about Kombucha brewing. We’re throwing a big Kombucha party all week called New Year’s ReVolution – Drink Kombucha.
We just started this morning and it’s pretty fun stuff. If your readers are interested in learning more or winning some kombucha to try, please come and visit, it’s all free and we are spreading the positive energy of living foods. Also, we’re teamed up with all these little brewers from around the country, because I love local businesses. Trying to build community in this crazy world we live in these days.
Keep doing what you do, I enjoy it. Thanks again for the great kombucha blog!
Hannah Crum
The Kombucha Mamma
http://www.KombuchaKamp.com
Hannah, thanks for the heads up! And thanks for sharing the information on the great Kombucha giveaway you are running this week! What a nice way to start the New Year! Hope some of my readers will win
Dr. Laura
I am glad you tried to make your own. A friend of mine got me into Kombucha, although, I have not made any in years, and I drank it regularly. However, in a de-cluttering moment I threw it all away – scoby and all. So the next time I wanted to try it, I got bottled – ick!!! I like the idea of the strawberries, I may need to search for a scoby. Another thing to try is Kefir, not the store bought, but your own. It is delicious as a base for smoothies.
Amy recently posted..What’s Up 2011
Amy,
I do make a lot of smoothies and would love to use it instead.
I’m happy to “pay it forward” and send a baby SCOBY your way if you want to restart. Email me at: laura [at] OrganizeNOW [dot] info if you are interested. And, kefir is also on my list of things to try – same issue – I don’t like the store bought version – but to buy a starter package is more money that I would like to spend. So, I’m looking for someone to give me one of those too
Dr. Laura
Happy New Year! I’ve seen it in the store, but really had no idea what it was, so I just did a google search – very interesting. The idea with the strawberries sounds like a great idea, too.
Louanne recently posted..Spicy Smothered Cabbage
Louanne, some do like the store-bought variety, but I didn’t. You could look for smaller local companies that make it instead of the national chains, or just ask around to friends (or in the blogosphere) to see if they have some you could try. I like the strawberry idea too, and may have to give that a try. I’m tweaking it to just like the plain version first before trying anything else.
Dr. Laura
Certainly the Kombucha would be an adventure. It was a very interesting post. Thank you for sharing and I am hoping to see you at Full Plate Thursday at The Country Cottage on Thursday, come on over and bring a dish. Have a great week!
Miz Helen recently posted..Pear Pie Pocket
Hi Miz Helen! I’m excited for your Full Plate Thursdays and will stop by – thank you for the invite!
Dr. Laura
THANKS so much Laura for all the sweet linkage!!
If you’d like a lighter tea use 2 bags green/2 bags black or all green. I’ve also added fresh grated ginger once it’s bottled and left it on the counter for a few more days…
Blessings as you make it your own favorite!
LIB
Liberty recently posted..Its a wonderful life
Thank YOU Liberty!!
Dr. Laura
Laura – was reading thru comments – Kefir grains on their way to you!!
Liberty recently posted..Its a wonderful life
Oh my goodness! Now I really love you Lib!! Thank you!
Dr. Laura
I’ve heard a lot about kombucha but never tried it…. Certainly very interesting as I’ve made wine and beer and it doesn’t look any different. Great post! Thank for sharing at the Hearth and Soul hop.
Jason@JLHealth recently posted..Hearth and Soul Hop – Volume 29
It’s super easy Jason! Hope you give it a try! Thanks for hosting.
Dr. Laura
Wow! I didn’t even realize you could make Kombucha at home, much less that there were so many that did. I actually like the store bought stuff. Kombucha Gingerade is my cureall for all stomach ailments and I like the green stuff just anytime. I’ll have to bookmark this post and try making my own sometime.
laxsupermom recently posted..Gingerbread Trifle
laxsupermom, the gingerade sounds yummy! Wonder if I could figure out a way to make that at home. Perhaps some ginger and sit on the counter as Liberty suggested. Thanks for visiting!
Dr. Laura
hi there! i actually love kombucha…but i have yet to convince anyone else that it is tasty and healthy! unfortunately it is an expensive habit. i have never thought to make it myself…but you did make it look quite easy! thank you for sharing this great recipe with tuesday night supper club!
christy recently posted..Tuesday Night Supper Club-link up no 22
Christy, I am right there with you. The family is not yet drinking it. But, then again, I’m still tweaking it
And, making it yourself is MUCH cheaper!!! Let me know how it goes if you give it a try! Thanks for hosting!
Dr. Laura
Hello, and thanks for this post…it got me inspired to pull the lonely scoby (Albert) from my refridgerator and start another batch of kombucha! Just noticing on your recipe that some ingredients are “halved” and some aren’t. 4 quarts of water won’t fit in a 1/2 gallon jar. Thought it was worth mentioning, since several folks plan to try it and may end up with more weak tea than they planned. Thanks again!
Shelley Jo,
Glad to be an inspiration for you (and Albert is probably happy to be out of the fridge!). And, thank you so much for the info about the ingredients! I meant to put 2 quarts of water (and I’ve changed it now) – 4 quarts would be kind of hard to fit into a 1/2 gallon jar
Dr. Laura
I’ve tried making kombucha so many times. I start, and then I lose interest, and all of those slimy little jellyfish end up in my garden. I might like it better if someone would do the work for me
Thanks for sharing your experience with the Hearth and Soul hop.
Butterpoweredbike recently posted..Exercise Sucks- and Oh Yeah- Diets Do Too Start the New Year with a Resolution for Joy
Thanks for hosting Butter! At least now I know what to do with all those extra baby SCOBYs I am collecting now … on to the garden
Dr. Laura
Laura, I am so laughing at you. Not in a mean way, but I remember YEARS ago trying my first store bought Kombucha and hating it! I have been brewing with my Momma scoby for many years now and it is simply a part of my life, though I have never ever tried making kefir, which was mentioned in the comments. I would love to do that. I have a ton of information on making kombucha on my blog and I also have check lists and detailed instructions for anyone who wants it! Glad you are trying the bu bu as we call it around here! Sorry I am late for linking, but its been a crazy week. Linking up my new feature, which also features YOU, Baby steps to a rockin’ life, which seems to be taking off and I do hope more folks join us in the baby steps slow-vo-lution! Cause the slow lane gets you there in the long run, and you will certainly enjoy the scenery more! All the best and happy new year! Alex
alex@amoderatelife recently posted..Tackling Bittman Recipe Hop Volume 3!
Alex, I’ll have to check out your blog for more Kombucha info for sure! Thanks for letting me know.
And thanks for featuring me in your new Baby Steps to a Rockin Life…funny thing was when I brought that up in the reader, I couldn’t see ANY of the tips initially?? Then you posted your comment here and I went to check it out, and viola… there they all were! Interesting! Another tip coming at you today
Dr. Laura
You can also make your own SCOBY – http://www.foodrenegade.com/how-to-grow-a-kombucha-scoby/.
That’s how we got our first one and I’ve been giving babies away for nearly two years.
We do the double ferment and have come up with many tasty varieties: grape juice (standard for the kids), ginger, coconut, strawberries, raspberries. We’ve combined the fermented strawberry and coconut kombuchas and it’s like a tropical treat!
Happy brewing!
Gina – that is AWESOME!! Thank you for sharing how to make our own SCOBY!! HA! I had no idea you could do it that way. Can you tell me – when you double ferment – I am guessing that you do the first fermentation standard, then the second, do you remove the SCOBY and then add chopped up whatever (strawberries, etc.) and let it ferment again…but for how long?
Thanks again for sharing!
Dr. Laura
Dr. Laura,
I was so excited when I found out that you were here and you had brought your Kombucha to Full Plate Thursday, I don’t think there will be any left it will go fast. Thank you so much for coming and please come back!
Miz Helen recently posted..Whats For Dinner Next Week- Baked Bean Chalupa
Thanks for hosting Miz Helen! Looking forward to Full Plate Thursdays
Dr. Laura
Laura, thanks for posting this!! I would love to try sometime — and once I have a house (and kitchen!) to call my own again, I will be emailing you to get on the SCOBY list!! Thanks for sharing with Friday Potluck!
Erin, would be happy to send a SCOBY your way when you are settled. Thanks for hosting!
Dr. Laura
Thank you for this post! I have been very nervous to try kombucha after trying it at a store. This gives me a great reason to try it at home! Thanks!
Amy, I think you will find that the homemade version is MUCH different from the store-bought variety. Good luck! Let me know how it goes!
Dr. Laura
Thanks for sharing your “Adventure with Kombucha.” I think I’m going to have to try it!
Kathryn,
Let me know how it goes!
Dr. Laura
I think this is soooo interesting, come link it up to my warm drinks and good reads party! http://goodbyecityhellosuburbs.blogspot.com
karen recently posted..Warm Drinks and GOOOOOOD reads!
Thanks for the invite Karen!
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