Our Kombucha Series
We are half way through our kombucha series! In a few days, you will be enjoying some delicious and healthy kombucha.
Here is a list of our full kombucha series:
- What is kombucha and why is it so healthy for you? {Part 1}
- Learn how to brew kombucha with this easy step by step tutorial. {Part 2}
- My kombucha is done, now what?…And how to bottle kombucha tea {Part 3}
- A collection of kombucha recipes {Part 4}
Where To Purchase A Kombucha Starter Kit
If you are just getting started, make sure that you buy your kombucha starter kit from a reliable source.
- I got one of my starter kits here.
So let’s dive into today’s lesson, my kombucha is done, now what…and how to bottle your kombucha tea.
Your Brew Is Finally Done Fermenting, Now What?
Yes, your brew has FINALLY finished fermenting and you have the desired taste that you are looking for…now what? There are several simple steps to follow and in a few short days, you will be enjoying your first homemade kombucha!
There are several things to note:
- Do not use anything metal from this point on. Use plastic utensils and a plastic funnel. Metal will react with the kombucha.
- Before you remove your SCOBY, sanitize your hands with white vinegar. Do NOT use soap, you could kill your SCOBY.
- Sanitize your bottle with hot water or white vinegar. I ran mine through the dishwasher with no soap, just hot water.
- Clear glass ONLY! You can buy clear bottles here. These bottles are the exact bottles that I use, and I love them!
Ok, now that we have the basics covered, let’s start bottling some kombucha!
Removing the SCOBY
The first thing you want to do is remove the SCOBY from your kombucha.
Note that I have the “mother” SCOBY and a “baby” SCOBY. The original SCOBY that you used has created a baby. You need to remove both of these. Simply reach in with your clean hands and remove the two SCOBY cultures.
Your mother and baby might still be attached, like this one. You can either leave them attached or pull them apart.
Here is what your SCOBY will look like after you have removed it from the kombucha tea.
Simply put it in a clean jar with 1/2-2/3 cups of tea from this batch cover with a lid and store in your pantry until you are ready to brew your next batch of tea. This is called a SCOBY hotel.
I just take my SCOBY and 2/3 cups starter (tea from this batch) and place it into a clean jar and start the process all over again and start brewing a new batch.
What’s That Stuff Floating In My Kombucha?
When you are adding starter tea to your SCOBIES, you might notice some sediment in your jar of tea or some stingy like substances hanging off your ladle…This is NORMAL and is harmless!
If this bothers you, simply run your kombucha through a sieve or sifter and this will remove all of your floating objects from you kombucha. I leave mine in the tea. You get used to it the more you drink the kombucha! 🙂
Bottling Your Kombucha
Now place a funnel into your clean bottle and pour your kombucha right into the bottle. Fill the bottle almost to the top, leaving a maximum headspace of 1″ or less. The less you have the more carbonation that you will have.
Please note, NEVER shake kombucha, as it can explode. The higher you fill the bottle, the more likely you are going to need to burp your kombucha to relieve the gas bubbles a bit.
Once you have filled your kombucha bottles, place the lid on your kombucha. You have three options from this point.
- You can drink the kombucha as is and put in the refrigerator. It will have less fizz with this method but still taste amazing.
- You can cap the kombucha and store in a warm, dark place and allow it to sit for 2-3 days. This will create a really fizzy kombucha.
- You can make kombucha soda (recipe coming in the final post in this series).
If you decide to ferment your kombucha to get it a bit fizzier, simply place the cap on the kombucha and store in a warm, dark place for 2-3 days. I stored mine in the pantry.
Where Do I Store My Kombucha?
After 2-3 days remove your kombucha from the pantry (or your dark warm place) and place in the refrigerator. If your kombucha developed a baby SCOBY in the bottle, remove and toss and then drink.
Do not leave your kombucha in the pantry past the 2-3 day period. It is very important to move it to the refrigerator. This will stop the fermentation process completely.
That is it! You now know how to make your own kombucha! Not hard at all, was it?!!
Later this week we will dive into making kombucha “soda” (so easy to make) and I will also have a great list of amazing kombucha recipes for you all to try.
Share Your Thoughts
As always, let me know if you should have any questions!
How about it, are you ready to tackle brewing your first kombucha?
I have my first booch brew going now and am so excited! I do need a little clarification on covering the jars-during the first fermentation you use a cloth and rubberband? During flavoring or scoby hotel you use a tight fitting lid? Is that correct?
Thanks!
That is correct.
I made my first batch of kombucha a couple weeks ago and it is now ready to bottle. Thanks so much for providing thorough directions for the process – I appreciate it!
Happy to help!
I have a surplus of Weck glass juice jars with glass lids, silicone gaskets, & clamps. Would those be safe to use for bottling my booch?
I made my first batch of kombucha but only had mason jars with the metal lids and sealed them tightly for the 2nd ferment. I am on day 2 but after reading about not using metal I am now afraid to continue. Should I throw it out and start all over again?
Halle
Why Clear glass ONLY for bottling?
Hello !
Just brewing my second batch now…. once my tea cools can I pour it ontop of the scoby I left in the 4 liter jar? I left the scoby in with some starter tea…
Also, I peeled the bottom layer off my scoby and left the top part (I don’t know why) is that ok ? Will it still work out ?
My first batch turned out super !
Yep, it will still work. Scoby’s will continue to get thicker the longer you brew so it’s a good idea to separate them from time to time.
Hi-
We are fairly new to making kombucha. We’ve had trouble getting ours to get fizzy. Any hints? Also, we’ve often had ours turn vinegary when we don’t drink it fast enough and made a tasty vinaigrette for salads. We want to try mayonnaise and sourdough starter next. Have you had any experience with any of these alternatives?
Hiiiio, I’ve only read this one post and am already loving your offerings! Kombucha making & storing made simple!
I have one quick question: I have fermented my kombucha in a large glass container that has a pour spout. I was planning on just pouring the finished kombucha from here to my bottles rather than removing the mother and starter. Is this something that you think would be ok? Or does the Mother need to be moved to a new, clean container regularly?
Thanks for the help!!
Matt, you most certainly can just bottle right from your pour spout and start a new brew. If it seems like your container needs a washing, just remove the scoby and rinse it clean and you will be good to go.
Once I take the scoby out for the 1st fermentation process, can I just store that Kombucha in the fridge for a few days if I am not quite ready to flavor and start the 2nd fermentation? Or does it need to follow pretty quickly?
Hello. I just want to ask if it is safe to consume kombucha that was fermented for 33 days? It’s just that I made a kombucha and went for a vacation and just harvested after 33 days.
Thank you so much.
Malou
Any method to stop the fermentation after bottling? The growth of the SCOBY can’t seems to be stopped.
Hi! This has been going kn for years (comment thread)…so cool!
So I have made my kombucha and I made it fizzy. It is in the same bottles you used in pics and I burped it for a few days and just tasted it and it tastes great! Just wondering now that it is fizzy and ready to drink, do I still have to burp it. It is ready for the fridge, I just don’t want the glass bottle to explode if I don’t burp it every day.
Thanks so much!
Oh and how long is scoby hotel good for and how long is kombucha good for once refrigerated?
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!