How to Make Kombucha: A Healthy Summer Drink!
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- Опубликовано: 15 сен 2024
- Keep your own healthy, carbonated drink on tap with this easy method of brewing kombucha at home.
In this video Carolyn (and her growing baby belly 😊) shows you how to easily turn a few cents worth of tea and sugar into a healthy, delicious carbonated beverage for your family and friends to enjoy on a hot summers day.
This basic kombucha is also the base ingredient to make many fruit flavored secondary ferments - like a Cherry Almond Kombucha (watch out for that video next week!).
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I made my own scoby from the very first batch of kombucha. I put the tea and sugar in my jar, put it on the counter and it grew a scoby in about 14 days. I continued to use this for all my batches and it worked great.
This is so helpful and makes this process functional and routine. Thank you
I always use green tea and it is fine
I watch a lot of homesteading videos on RUclips and I have to say you guys are my favorite Caroline you are the best teacher you are just beautiful and your family is absolutely adorable and amazing keep the videos coming🥰
Kombucha is a great drink, after the 1st ferment I tend to add fruit to my brews. I will have to add though you CAN use other teas, I've been brewing for a number of years & I don't use black tea at all. I brew with organic green tea, oolong and for those needing to be caffeine free I've brewed kombucha with hibiscus tea & rooibos. The scoby needs sugar and tannins but avoid teas with oils added, such as earl grey etc.
+Mitch Heywood - Hi Mitch - Thanks for the great input! But I'm sure you don't add fruit to your primary fermenter (like in my continuous brew method) just to clarify for the other readers! Cheers!
Nooo... fruit & flavours go in after the first fermentation is done....never add it to the initial fermentation or a continuos brew vessel.
I just did one with green tea, s ivy looks fantastic and tastes great. My favorite secondary ferments are pineapple, mixed berries or blueberries, Apple cider with the mulling spices and tangerine :) Yummy and easy to do!
Kat Kameo
Those flavors sound perfect for summer
@@mitchh9111 I've never done contin. brew.. but good to know
I am so happy that you made this video. I just purchased a complete crock and kit with the scoby. I am now ready to begin. Thank you for the good information.
Thank you for your wisdom
Great video. I made Kombucha several years ago and had a scoby hotel going on. Almost the whole jar. I am going to start again making it. I love the ginger one with blueberries. Thanks and love the crock jar.
I love Kombucha! Make it every week, in two separate containers, one on Sat. and one on Thurs. Don't have a big container. I sometimes flavor with fruits or berries!
Great video. Thanks for your clear instructions.
You are welcome!
Thanks you for another great vid Carolyn. Your instructions are always so clear and thorough. I really appreciate what you do. I’ve made Kombucha before but found it too much of a faff. After watching this I’m going to get the bits and pieces you’ve shown and do it your way. Xx
have u ever made 'Jun'? its supposed 2 be kombucha 2, but is made w-green tea n honey, instead of black tea n sugar- its just a different kind- i've never had it, but it was really popular in 2014- i had caregivers who made me regular kombucha, many years ago, n i really loved it, yum- thanks for the reminder! Father Bless y'all-
Been following you and participating in your WEBINARS. I shopped all around online looking at the different containers/dispensers for kombucha and after I decided what I wanted, I used Facebook Marketplace and found a lady nearby selling her ceramic dispenser for $20! BOOM. I also noticed everyone is referring to "The Big Book of Kombucha", so I purchased a USED one in mint condition through Amazon. The retail price printed on the book is $26.95. I got it for $17. Sellers are trying to get $40-60 for this book. Can't wait to get started! Thank you for helping people.
Fabulous video. I bought a kombacha kit with a scoby. Can't wait to make this. Hugs❤️
I make kombucha and have used half Oolong and half black tea...mainly to back off the caffeine...but Im going to do it your way. Maybe my Scoby, "Henrietta", will be happier!
In a proper Southern lady, tell you that that is the perfect sweet tea. I do know some more sugar to 1 gallon has always been my perfection. I really wanna try this.
The end result is completely different than southern sweet tea
Thank you. I am looking forward to your settling back down into your own farm again.
I absolutely love your videos! I've started my first kambucha yesterday! I'm so excited! I'm a little worried tho. I have a very small kitchen and only have room on my counter to store my glass container. With concrete counter tops... this means it's gonna be kinda cold. I heard it needs to stay warm. I looked at my thermostat and my house status about 57 to 65°F... this morning I noticed my SCOBY isn't floating. It's a new SCOBY I ordered on amazon. .. I'm praying it doesn't die from being cold.
I put a heating pad around the jar. works great
Then either find a warm place or simply don’t do it right?
Hi you can use a bottle of store bought kombucha and adding the black tea and sugar I’ve always made it this way. If you use green tea and honey it’s called JUN and it’s delish
Green tea makes a good Kombucha. I have made 58 brews so far .
Hi Caroline, thank you for these videos they are wonderful! I’ve recently moved across country and starting my Kombucha over again. Something I’ve noticed this time is that my scoby is sitting on the bottom of my 2 gallon jar! I thought I remember you talking about that once that it was not an issue but I want to be sure. It definitely is cooler in my house so thought maybe that was why. Today is day 6 and it’s not moving! Thank you for any info you can give to me. Kathy
Great, informative video! I love the idea of having your kombucha "on tap." So, you begin a new scoby after 6 months to avoid that strong vinegary taste?
No, you just keep feeding it regularly and it won't turn to vinegar. If you don't feed it, and it just sits there, that's when it starts to turn to vinegar. Apparently people do this on purpose sometimes to make kombucha vinegar, which can be used for so many things! I highly recommend buying and reading "The Big Book of Kombucha: Brewing, Flavoring, and Enjoying the Health Benefits of Fermented Tea" Book by Alex LaGory and Hannah Crum. It's SO GOOD! It's not just a recipe book, which is kinda what I thought I was buying when I ordered it. It is LOADED with so much excellent information and kombucha education/history, as well as many many recipes! But not just for drinking, but so many unexpected uses for SCOBY's, kombucha, and kombucha vinegar!
What did you mean by "feeding it"... adding more sugar ? I started doing the bottle method three months ago and I'm really enjoying it. Thanks...
Thank you for a very informative video! I do have a couple of questions...how long after feeding the scoby in the crock is it fermented enough to drink? Does it ferment faster because of the size of your scoby?
+Lynn Baldwin Hi Lynn! The SCOBY will grow to the diameter of whatever vessel you are fermenting in... if you use the same type of crock as me your SCOBY will grow to the same size! I would wait for about 5 days on your first round of Kombucha to let it ferment, but after that I always add to it while there is a decent bit left in the crock, that helps it ferment right up, and while there may be a bit more or less sugar in it depending on when after the feeding you drink it, there really isn't a right or a wrong, just a taste you prefer... Did I answer that clearly?
Yes...thank you so much! I started mine in the same crock as yours...so I will wait for at least a week before we try it!
Where can I buy a similar crock? Thanks in advance! Best - Adam
Carolyn, What would be your recipe for just one person, say, one 8 oz. glass per day? I've never had Kombucha but would like to try it. Btw, I'm sensitive to caffeine. Is it eaten up like the sugar or does it still have lots of caffeine?
Wow, you were so young 😁😉💚
If let sit too long and too vinegary to be palatable for drinking and don't need or want to use it as a starter or SCOBY hotel ... can use to marinate meats and depending upon if flavored complementary or if plain make a quick diy salad dressing (seasoning either with fresh herbs and aromatics added or just some ginger root and ground pepper just like if making a vinaigrette but using less added actual vinegar) ... or add it to garden compost (just watch pH levels). The solid cellulose cap can be used for SCOBY recipes (candy, fruit leathers) or used in smoothies or be tossed into the garden compost (or just a little added to a compost tea which when lightly sprayed on seems to help loosen soil over time that is really compacted and hard).
Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us in such a clear and straight forward way. Luv your channel. Also what is the name of the spouted crock you used to make the kombucha?
I've done kombucha with a mix of black and green tea
I love your videos! From California
Konbucha JUN is made successfully with honey, supplying the sugar. Consider using cold-brew tea ?
FYI my sister used to make kombucha without sugar, they loved it.
What fed the scoby?
@@brandywagers9573 i dont know, this was 20 years ago. Someone gave her a scoby and from there it kept multiplying and i remember she had a few jars in the kitchen and i remember her saying she didnt put sugar in it.
I'm just now learning. So I thought that was interesting. Thank you.
I love Kombucha! :)
Kambucha is awesome, the kids love it!
If you have some money to spare and want to upgrade the quality of the videos, I would use a remote microphone, the ones that you attach to your shirt, then the voice recording will be so much cleaner and without background noises.
+Danny Kundzinsh Hey Danny! Thank you for the great feedback... we have filmed with professionals who bring the lapel kids and you are totally right - the sound is way better... Ill have to look into that!
My wife and I love your channel :)
Going to have to try to make some soon!
+Patti Foote - It is so good for you!
Hey, love the channel! You folks are amazing. I was curious what you did with your extra scoby from Your kombucha? I made a batch just like you did and I have a new scoby that has grown. Should I get rid of the first one? Get rid of the new one? Keep them both on my crock? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a bunch and keep making great videos. My wife and I love them!
Hi, can you use sucanat or turbinado?
Thank you! I am using the Cultures for Health kit and my SCOBY is getting very large (1 gallon container). When do I need to slim it down? Do I have to keep the original hunk (it’s now very dark brown and the rest is white)?
I have made Kombucha in the past and had a glass jar, I am going to purchase a crock. I was wondering if you have a link to the crock that you use, as I would use your link if it would link to your account, so you could get a percentage of my purchase amount. If so, please share your affiliate link. Thanks so very much! :) LOVE you all!
Can you substitute decaffeinated black tea? Wonderful video!! Thank you.
How did you scoby grow to be so big? I checked on Cultures for Health and the starter kit has a baby scoby. Does the scoby grow over time in the croc?
I have the same question that Lynn Baldwin asked. I haven't tried the continuous Kombucha because I didn't understand how you could keep drinking it if the Scoby hadn't been fermenting in the tea for several days. I love the idea but want to be clear about how it works.
+Linda - Hi Linda! The key here is that you feed your SCOBY BEFORE you run out of kombucha in the crock... that way there is always some mixture of really fermented, fermented and just fermenting... doing it this way can give you a little more sugar from the newer kombucha but it also gives you some of the really beneficial acids you only get from kombucha that has been brewed over 30 days... so its a win for us even right after feeding it when it is around 50% full. If you are really trying to cut the sugar down, just wait 3 days after feeding, with all of the finished kombucha in there it will ferment rather quickly!
I guess I had the same question cuz in my mind I couldn't figure out how it would work cuz my family would have that lil crock drank in one day! My guess is we'd have to have at least 7 crocks going all at the same time to give it time to ferment! and label them each one for a different day of the week :)
This is my thought as well. Very confused.
I was wondering if you know a good recipe or make a video for making “Gingerbug” for homemade natural sodas like root beer and ginger ale
It's pretty easy, if you've ever made a sourdough starter from scratch it's the same process. You add water, cubed ginger and sugar. Every day for the next 5-7 days add a little more ginger and sugar to "feed" it until it becomes bubbly.
I got my exact measurements from a website called Nourished Kitchen.
Just wondering where you bought your "on-tap" crock and stand? I have noticed it in some of your other videos so I assume that the kombucha always sits out and that you don't refrigerate it. Do you ever add anything like fruit to the kombucha after it has fermented or would that adversely alter the benefits of kombucha? Thanks, I really enjoy your videos and appreciate you sharing as so much of this info has nearly been lost as our older generation passes away. My children and I enjoy seeing another family doing many of the things that we do! thanks again!
+Helen Griffin Thank you Helen! Yes, the kombucha needs to stay out otherwise it wont ferment... and since mine is a continuous brew I need to stay fermenting all of the time! If I want it cold I just pour some out into a jar, cap it (so it doesn't lose its fizz) and put that jar in the fridge. Adding fruit or juice makes a delicious (and healthy) drink... I just filmed a Cherry Almond Kombucha video that i hope to release in a few weeks to show you how! Enjoy!
You can get it in Amazon. And yes the scoby stay in there.
How many black tea bags and what brand do u use,
what about the metal staples in those tea bags
sorry..smiles
and how to feed keep putting in the black tea mixture??
I'm deathly allergic to mold. Would I be to drink this? Does it taste like sweet tea?
Thanks
Thank you so much for this video! Can't wait to get started. This is probably a stupid question but... The towel that you use to cover your crock. Is that just a cotton towel? Linen? What kind should I be using?
It looks like a regular dish towel. I don't do a large crock like this, but I have two gallon sized glass jars on my counter fermenting, and I cover them with cloths that are thinner than dish towels. I think the main idea is to allow your kombucha to breathe (so no solid tops!) but have a tight enough knit on the fabric that little bugs and dust and stuff doesn't get in.
We are on a keto type low carb way of eating to get my husband's diabetes under control. Do you have any idea of the carbs in kombucha? I have a scoby living in a very vinegary kombucha from 2 years ago. It smells fine and has no visible mold. Could it still be usable?
yes, I used mine after sitting for 6 months. I just dumped 3/4ths of it and left a little liquid and scoby and added fresh sweet tea and then a week later it was great!!
Have u tried agave nectar? Would that work? Just curious. Also have y’all tried synergy’s Guava goddess? I love that one: I want to be able to make that one at home
where did you get your kettle? Or what is the brand? Also what kind of black tea do you use?
Awesome information! Where can I get that beautiful crock for making continuous kombucha? 💕
I have a couple of questions. It looks like your "lid" is a ring not whole, do the crocks come with a ring like that? Is the towel to let gases escape so a full lid should not be used? I have a 3 gallon acrylic drink dispenser can that be used or does it need to be crock or glass? Love your videos thank you for all you teach.
Kombucha requires oxygen
I have a 2 gallon crock. Is that large of a vessel ok to use for continuous brew? Or should I only brew half of my crock size (1 gallon) at a time?
Hello Linda,
I just found you.
Love your video. Thank you.
Can you tell me what I should be aware of if I have left my scoby for 7 months or more in very little kombucha in a crock like yours? It smells good. But I am wondering if I need to take Scoby out of the crock and clean crock before adding new brew?
I look forward to watching more of your videos.
Thank you so much,
Charyll in Las Vegas
I see a crock on Amazon made by Humble House but I don't see the nice wooden stand. Do you have a link for what you have?
Is this good for kidneys? God Bless You
I’ve brewed my own kombucha for years, in the cabinet. I would like to make the continuous kombucha, so I bought the 2.5 gallon croc and I’m ready to get started. How much time between adding the black tea and being able to drink? Does it need to set overnight? For two days?
I have a big family and they will drink 2.5 gallons of kombucha in two days. 😂
More on it here: homesteadingfamily.com/how-to-make-kombucha/
Is the top of my kombucha supposed to look thick ? It’s been staying between 80-85 with a little assistance from a heat matt wrapped around the back and sides .. ( my first Scoby molded because it wasn’t warm enough in my house, so I had to get another one and start over…. )
We are on day 7….
@homesteadingfamily How do you feed it? Newby here. Lol!
Can you supply a link for where you got that croc? I’ve been using a gallon mason jar and I feel a croc would be a lot easier!
I'd love to know where to get one as well!!
Amazon For Your Water Crock Dispenser - Classic Plain www.amazon.com/dp/B000LXX8C8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_6WRAAb19XWNQS
I was looking for a crock to make my kombacha in and I ended up finding that several sites recommend heating the crocks. Do you feel adding heat is necessary?
where to buy the ceramic crock with spout you use? also does it come with cover? lastly which company you use to buy scoby- will any natural food store sell it? tx
Does your tap need a regular cleaning? Ours gets a lot of Scoby floaters that clog it
What are the instructions on how do you feed it to keep it going?
Can I use well water or does it have to be filtered to make kombucha?
As I am beginning to purchase my supplies I wanted to inquire about your tea. What source do you use for your tea and which brand? Also are these individual size tea bags or family size tea bags. Blessings, Teresa Lincks
We have more on it here along with the links on where we purchase tea: homesteadingfamily.com/how-to-make-kombucha/
@@HomesteadingFamily My other question is that I am starting completely from scratch. Can I take the recipe and start with a regular scoby that I buy and add the 1 gallon of tea like the recipe and put it in my 2 gallon continuous brew keg and wait the week and then add to it at that point. Or do I need to fill my 2 gallon keg to the top on my first brew to get my beginning kombucha. Thank you for the help.
Can you use herbal tea instead of black tea?
❤️❤️❤️
Could I use organic coconut sugar to make kombucha?
If you leave it for 6+ months and it turns acidic/vinegar-y, would you be able to use it for canning? Also, how much do you feed it weekly?
Can we use decaffeinated black tea?
Does anyone have the link to this crock with spigot? And let me know which organic tea you are using :)
Can you add fruit in it? I thought you could use pineapple or ginger?
I've drank it with fruit juice :)
What is a good, reputable place to purchase scoby?
We like to purchase them here: fhteas.ositracker.com/124559/8732/url_18143
How long is the wait after the feeding for it to taste like kombucha again?
The first batch of kombucha will be completely ready within 5-7 days
Can diabetics drink this?
Does any of the sugar remain after the process?
How do I keep my scobe if I'm not making my drink anymore foe awhile
Do you have any suggestions for making my own scoby?
Can you use Pu-rah tea cuz I have lots of that kind?
can you make kombucha using a red wine vinegar scoby
Thank you, it's very informative. What does it tastes more or less like? I would eventually like to make it, but hesitate because of the taste and the scobi looks somewhat intimidating to have. Lol.
+María Santiago - Yes - the SCOBY is downright ugly! It tastes like an acidic sweet tea unless you add some juices/fruit for a 2ndary ferment. A lot of grocery stores are now selling them so you can try a few before you make them to see what you think!
When and how do you add the elderberries
Where did you get the crock please 😁
Really liked your kettle, do you have any info where I can get one like it? Thanks
+Abraham Puente Hi there! It is an AGA tea kettle from England. Ive had it about 15 years now and it will probably last another 50 or so!
Thank you for the reply I will look for one too, btw I really love your videos and look forward to see more.
How do you add different flavors?
You can add them with a second ferment: homesteadingfamily.com/cherry-almond-flavored-kombucha-how-to-second-ferment-kombucha/
Where do you get the beginning starter?
Can I use the scoby looking thing from my home made apple cider vinegar? It looks EXACTLY like that scoby.
Did you try that and was it successful. I am experimenting with that right now...nothing yet, but still early
I have heard that Kombucha may have an alcohol content. Is that true?
+Canadian Girl - Yes... just like all fermented stuff (kvass, sauerkraut, fermented carrots) there is a small amount of alcohol in the ferment!
But it’s like less than a NA beer. Not recommended for children or pregnant woman but I love it
What does it taste like?
Can a skoby from an apple vinegar that I made , be use to make kombucha. I used apples about 1/2c sugar in a 1/2 gallon jar. THe skoby from this is pretty thick now. So does anyone know if this skoby can be used for the Kombucha ? Thank you
Hello guys , I'm wondering if you guys can assist me on my recipes for a 5 gallons kombucha project.
How much tea bags and sugar for 5 gallons I need ? And how long I'll ferment it before going on 2nd ferment ? I already got kombucha mother from Amazon.
Thanks from Toronto.
She's doing a gallon.
1 cup of sugar.
6 bags.
5 gallons
5 cup sugar
30 tea bags???
What size jar are you using to put the sugar and water in?
Looks like 1 gallon
Does the crock need to be ceramic or is glass ok?
D Chavez, glass is perfect!
Where did you get that crock?
If your kombucha turns vinegar, is it able to be used? What for?
Salad dressing.
Anyone seeking a safe carbonated beverage can mix in calcium carbonate powder into any highly acidic fruit juice until it bubbles. You can thank me later.
Why on here it seems you drink a fair amount but in your second ferment with added fruit etc you say not to drink too much? A bit confused here? After all if this is replacing soda for kids they will want more than a few ounces.
I don't like the taste of tea, does it still taste like tea after it's been fermented?
+Country Bumpkin A bit... but different... You might be able to find a kombucha at a well stocked supermarket near you so that you can try it and see what you think....
Thanks, that's what I thought I would do.
Id love to know where you got your crock from! Thanks!
+bearzhere That one was from Amazon... It is 2.5 gallons...
There is just two of us so prob a bit smaller would work, thanks!