HELLO HOME MADE KOMBUCHA!

When I first heard about making home made Kombucha, the sound of it sounded exhausting. I really thought there would be no way I'd ever make it myself. A friend mentioned the word "Scoby" and it lost my interest instantly. I thought I would just buy it from the health food store. It's easier and I'm already too busy in the kitchen. I was completely wrong! I am here to tell you how easy it is to make Kombucha. A Scoby - The white round circles that look like jelly fish. They are bacteria. The scobies eat the sugar which sends out probiotics. Thus turning kombucha into an alkaline drink for the body, which wards off sickness.

HELLO HOME MADE KOMBUCHA!

STEP 1: Find a friend that has a Scoby. If you don't know anyone that has one, I have heard you can get one on-line. My Sister-in-law ordered one on-line, and after hers had a baby, she gave me one. (I have to admit, I was really scared to make Kombucha, because I was afraid I would kill the Scoby.) Be sure and store the Scoby in zip lock bag with a little of the tea in the refrigerator until ready to use.

STEP 2: Get yourself a big glass Mason jar (20oz). You won't need the lid. You will use either a clean t-shirt, or paper towel for the cover, with a rubber band to hold around the top. You will use 6 cups of filtered water and 5 organic tea bags of your choice. It's best to start out with a strong tea then move down, for the next batch, to a green tea, or other tea of choice. 1 cup of organic sugar, and 1 cup of white vinegar. Brew the tea in a soup pot. After it comes to "almost"
a boil, turn it off and let it cool. Once it is completely cool you can add the Scoby to the Mason jar. Remove the tea bags and pour it into the Mason jar along with the vinegar. I added the sugar while it was hot so that it melted into the water. Be sure that everything you come into contact with is completely clean. Only use a wooden spoon to stir, and be sure it is washed before you use it. You don't want anything contaminated in the tea. Cover, and put in a dark place that is un-interrupted for 2 weeks, or longer. My Scoby had a baby after the first week.

STEP 3: After 2 weeks you need some glass jars with lids. I recycle my glass jars, but you can buy some if you don't have any recycles. I have only made 1 batch, and it turned out amazing! My favorite Kombucha from the store is Grape. So, I decided to juice some organic grapes, strawberries, and a half of a lemon. Just about a quarter cup. I poured the 2 week old Kombucha tea into a Jar, and added the juice. Sealed it and refrigerated over night. I still had left over tea in the Mason jar with the Scobies. So, I added a cup of organic sugar to those and brewed some more tea to top of the jar. In 2 weeks, I'll have some more ready, and pick a different flavor to add. This was by far, the best Kombucha I have EVER tasted. I'll never go back to store bought again!

Tip: I was told to burp the Kombucha jar, but when I did, it didn't seem like it needed it. Just in case yours does, you should. Burping is just opening the lid to let some of the fizz out.