Choosing the Right Tea

Kombucha starts off as tea. That means choosing the right tea for your brew can make a big difference in your final product. With hundreds of teas to choose from, the decision can become overwhelming, especially to new brewers. But, as tea experts, that's where we come in! We can help you find the right tea to make your kombucha as unique as you are. Keep reading for some of our most basic tea-choosing tips!

Go Organic Becuase of their delicate structure, tea leaves aren't washed after being picked like produce, for example. That means the first time your tea leaves are "washed" is when they're brewed. So, any pesticides or chemicals that are sprayed on your tea leaves are still present when they're in your cup. Besides that, those chemicals can also affect the way the SCOBY works to transform the sweetened tea. Organic teas have no chemicals; they're pure, clean, and honest, which makes for a healthier and truer kombucha.

Green, Black, Herbal, Red, White . . .

Different brewers use different teas, and ultimately it's your preference. But, remember this: kombucha starts as tea. Have you ever heard of starting off on the wrong foot? Starting with the wrong tea can change the flavor profile and outcome of your kombucha. So, when choosing a tea, keep these tips in mind:

Herbal teas aren't your best option. Herbs do not always have the needed qualities to feed your SCOBY when you're brewing your kombucha. This will affect the fermentation process and the quality of your final product. However, some brewers have found great success combining herbs with other teas. Try to avoid teas with added flavors. While flavored teas are great for drinking alone, they usually aren't the best for brewing kombucha. The process of adding flavors and the flavors themselves can affect the way the SCOBY operates and the way your kombucha ferments, but don't be afraid to experiment because, again, different brewers find success with different recipes. Look for a basic green, black, or white tea to start. Green and black teas are typically the most popular for making kombucha. These two, including white teas, are less processed and work well with the SCOBY for a pure, unmasked flavor. When you get the hang of that, you can build on your recipe. Experiment with tea bags and loose leaf. Different kombucha brewers have different preferences, but we recommend trying both tea bags and loose leaf to see which works best for you. Tea bags utilize a smaller cut, which means more of the tea's surface area comes in contact with the water during steeping. Some find that using a smaller cut, like in a tea bag, can create different results, so don't be afraid to change it up! Get creative! Use different combinations of teas for your kombucha. Mix up your flavors with your favorite teas, fruits, and ingredients. There is no right or wrong way to brew your tea or flavor your kombucha, so be creative and have fun!