Just Getting Started
We're so glad that you've decided to learn more about kombucha! Brewing kombucha is a very personalized process. Each brewer has his or her own flare, and with so many brewing and flavoring methods, your options are endless. But, don't let that intimidate you. As you start off on your kombucha adventure, we're here to help! We've been involved in the kombucha industry for years, so we'd love to work with you as you find your 'booch groove.

So, what exactly is it?

Kombucha is a combination of tea, water, sugar, and a symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY). The SCOBY is a living, disc-shaped culture that can sometimes resemble the top of a mushroom. The mixture is fermented to create a tart, fizzy beverage that is flavored by brewers with fruits, juices, and other ingredients to create the bottled sensation that is filling the shelves of our favorite stores. Because it's fermented, kombucha does naturally contain a trace amount of alcohol. While it's typically a super small amount, if you have specific concerns, make sure you chat with your physician and read your labels carefully!

     
    
    
Why should I be drinking it?
The SCOBY eats away most of the sugar that is initially added when brewing kombucha, creating a much less sugary drink than many others on the market, which makes it an awesome alternative to sodas, sugary juices, and even energy drinks. Along with that comes a multitude of other potential benefits derived from this living, fermented, tea-based drink - including the benefits we get from drinking tea!

  • Improved digestion from probiotics
  • Increased energy
  • Detoxification
  • Improved gut health
  • Enhanced mental clarity
  • Assistance with disease prevention
  • Protection against free radicals through antioxidants
 

Talk to Me About Flavors.

This is where it gets real fun. Adding flavors to your kombucha is totally your choice. Some people love it plain, some people love to spice it up a bit. The beauty of it is that you can add flavors however you want. Fresh fruits, juices, spices and even more tea can be added for whatever you're going after. Try berries, oranges, ginger, turmeric, lavender, rosemary and anything else that tickles your fancy. Flavors are usually added during what's called the second fermentation - after the kombucha is bottled, airtight, when the carbonation builds. The flavors rest anywhere from one day to one week, until you get exactly the taste you want, then they are often strained out.

Got it. So, how do I make it?

  1. Start with strong-brewed tea. Transfer the brewed tea, more water, sugar (which helps feed the SCOBY) & some already brewed kombucha to the vessel you'll use for fermentation. Add your SCOBY.
  2. Let this mixture sit for 7-21 days to allow the SCOBY to work its magic. The yeast converts the sugar to alcohol, and the bacteria converts the alcohol to vinegar. Taste your brew every so often until it reaches the flavor you want.
  3. When you've got just the right taste, remove your SCOBY to either store or start a new batch & transfer the kombucha to airtight bottles.
  4. This is where you add your flavors- the options are endless!
  5. Your kombucha and added flavor ingredients are sealed where they rest for another few days - this is what makes the drink fizzy.
  6. When the desired level of fizziness is reached, toss the bottles in the fridge to stop the second fermentation. Leave them in the refrigerator until consumption.