Before You Get Started
So you want to brew some kombucha, do you? Well, I am here to show you how easy it is to make your own kombucha!
If you missed my post on What Is Kombucha & Why It Is So Healthy For You, be sure to head on over and check it out!
Here is the full list of post in this kombucha series:
- What is kombucha and why it is so good for you? {Part 1}
- Learn how to brew kombucha with an easy step by step tutorial. {Part 2}
- What to do with kombucha after it is done brewing & how to bottle kombucha. {Part 3}
- How To Make “Soda” Kombucha And A collection of kombucha recipes. {Part 4}
Brewing Your Own Saves You $$$$
Have you checked out the price of kombucha at the grocery store lately? The other day I bought a 16 oz bottle of organic kombucha and it was $4.00 a bottle! Wow, now that price certainly will break the bank sooner than later.
Brewing your own really is quite affordable.
You will need to invest in a few things to get started, but once you do that, a 16oz bottle of home brewed kombucha will cost you very little.
Here Is What You Will Need
Here is a list of items that you will need to get started.
- 1-gallon glass jar (plastic or metal will not work) ~ I ordered 2 Ball Jar 1-gallon off of Amazon and got free shipping. These work perfectly!
- Pyrex 4-Quart Glass Bowl ~ If you can’t find a gallon size glass jar, you can use a glass pyrex bowl. Make sure it can fit at least 4 quarts of liquid in it.
- Kombucha Starter Kit ~ You want to make sure you purchase this from a reliable place.
- Organic Black Tea Bags ~ Organic is best. Non-organic tea has high levels of fluoride.
- Organic Green Tea Bags ~ Organic is best. Non-organic tea has high levels of fluoride.
- 100% Cotten White Flour Sacks or Unbleached Coffee Filters ~ Make sure neither of these has bleach in them.
- Rubber bands
- Long Handle Wooden Spoon (no metal) ~ Here is my favorite spoon because it has an 18″ long handle and it works perfectly for making kombucha!
- 16 oz. EZ Cap Bottles – CLEAR (set of 12) ~ You will need 8 of these for an entire batch and I like to have a few extras on hand. This is the best price out there! Remember, ONLY use clear glass for kombucha!! No color glass at all.
Okay now that we have all the basics covered let’s move on and learn how to brew kombucha in this easy step by step tutorial!
Brewing The Tea
In a 4 quart saucepan, bring 3 quarts (12 cups) of water to a boil. Stir in 1 cup of organic cane sugar and stir with a wooden spoon until well dissolved.
Pull off the burner and add 4 tea bags of organic black tea. You need to use black tea because the tannins help with the fermentation. You can also add 2 bags of green tea or flavored green tea to your tea. I added in addition to the 4 tea bags two bags of black cherry green tea.
Feel free to experiment with different teas to find a blend that you like. I have also seen many people use 2 tea bags of black tea and 2 tea bags of green tea of choice.
Don’t Worry About The Sugar…
***NOTE ~ if you are worried about the sugar and caffeine, don’t. Both of these will be used up in the fermentation process leaving you with very little (if any) caffeine or sugar in your final product.
Once you add your tea to the sugar water, allow your tea to steep until the water completely cools. I allowed mine to steep for a little over two hours. Remove tea bags when the tea has cooled.
Do NOT leave overnight. This can cause the scoby to become moldy in the fermentation process, so it is best to cool to room temperature for 2-3 hours. Just be sure that the tea is completely cool or at the very least at body temperature (96ºF).
Add Tea To Clean Mason Jar or Glass Bowl
Add your tea to your glass mason jar or glass bowl. I used a funnel for mine and it worked out great! Just make sure that your bowl or jar is completely clean.
Note: Do not use soap! The soaps can kill your bacteria in your kombucha culture. Sterilize with hot water and/or white vinegar.
If you purchased a starter kit, your starter will look something like this. Note that there is a scoby and 1 cup starter liquid (which is 1 cup of the last full brew).
Storing Your Scoby
It is best to store all your future scobies in glass jars or bowls with starter liquid in them. Avoid using plastic. The scoby above was just shipped to me, and this was just fine for shipping.
You will store future scobies at room temperature covered with a coffee filter or towel. I will go into this further in the next post in this series.
A Look At The Scoby
Here is what a scoby looks like. It kind of reminds me of a jellyfish.
It is very important that your hands are clean when handling the scoby!
Again, do NOT use soap to wash your hands! You can use hot water and white vinegar to clean your hands. This is a living item and it needs to be handled with care!
Now add your scoby and starter to the tea and stir with a wooden spoon. The scoby might sink or float, either way, it is fine…it is completely normal.
Cover the Tea Mixture
After you add the starter and the scoby to the tea, you need to cover it with a 100% cotton white towel or with a brown coffee filter.
I used a brown coffee filter as shown below.
Take a rubber band and place it around the circumference of the jar to hold the filter in place.
Where to Store Your Kombucha
Leave your kombucha in a warm dry place that is out of direct sunlight. You do not want it in a closet. Remember, it is a living thing and needs air and beneficial bacteria to ferment properly.
Do not leave it in your kitchen! There are a lot of food particles, fruit flies (if you have a bowl of fruit on the counter like I always do) and a lot of other particles flying in the air.
I put mine in the formal dining room which is perfect because it is a room we do not use often.
Now Wait…
Allow it to sit for 7-31 days. I would check it after 10 days to see if it is to your liking. The longer the brew the less sugar that will be left however keep in mind that the longer the brew, the more it will resemble a vinegar taste.
Also, keep in mind that the warmer the climate the faster the brew and the cooler the climate the slower the brew! You need an area that is at least 70ºF.
Tasting Your Kombucha
Taste your brew after 7-10 days to see if it is to your liking.
- Do this by placing a straw half way into the kombucha.
- Place your finger on top of the straw to block the hole and remove the straw from kombucha to collect a sample.
- Now place the other end (opened end) in your mouth, release your finger on the other end and taste the kombucha.
Do not place your straw in the kombucha and drink right from the container, you will contaminate your culture.
If your kombucha is too sweet, allow it to brew another day or two. If it tastes like vinegar, you might need to brew it less the next time.
Stay tuned for the next installment of my kombucha series. Here I will show you what your kombucha will look like after the brew and what steps to take to continue brewing.
Amy says
March 14, 2013 at 1:48 pmI can’t wait to make my first batch of kombucha! Thanks for the opportunity to win!
Nora says
March 14, 2013 at 2:37 pmI would love to learn how to make this and implement it in our lives.
SherryGibbsAtanasoff says
March 14, 2013 at 5:18 pmI tried making my first batch of kombucha & it got mold on the top. So frustrating! I would love to try again!!!
Jennifer says
March 14, 2013 at 5:30 pmYou make it sound so easy, I can hardly wait to try this myself!
Christine says
March 14, 2013 at 5:35 pmThank you for this giveaway. It would be so much fun to win it!
JamiMcCullough says
March 14, 2013 at 5:36 pmWould love to win this!!
LynetteForbis says
March 14, 2013 at 5:37 pmI’ve always wanted to try kombucha but didn’t really know how. This is a great tutorial!
sebbiedue1 says
March 14, 2013 at 6:34 pmI’ve never made it. Never made any ferments… Always wanted to try and this one looks easy enough following your steps. A kit would make it even easier! Thanks for the chance. 🙂
MarcieKochSpivey says
March 14, 2013 at 6:34 pmI don’t know much about kombucha, but I would like to learn!
awritermom says
March 14, 2013 at 7:00 pmI have been trying to find a SCOBY for a few months now. I don’t want to pay a whole bunch because I don’t know if we willlike the stuff or if I will succeed in brewing it. Want to try it for the benefits, though.
Vicki says
January 12, 2019 at 6:44 pmI grew my own scoby instead of buying one. About to now make my first batch using this recipe. Super ex wife
awritermom says
March 14, 2013 at 7:00 pmI have been trying to find a SCOBY for a few months now. I don’t want to pay a whole bunch because I don’t know if we will like the stuff or if I will succeed in brewing it. Want to try it for the benefits, though.
Alyssa C says
March 14, 2013 at 7:10 pmI’ve been wanting to make my own Kombucha! Thanks so much for the how-to… and the great give-away!
rejoyful says
March 14, 2013 at 8:18 pmCan’t wait to try this….would love to win!! Thanks for sharing.
anne says
March 14, 2013 at 8:27 pmmy friend swears by the health benefits of kombucha. It would be fun to try making my own.
LeahPritchardHendershot says
March 14, 2013 at 8:37 pmI desperately want to get started making kombucha! This would be a blessing!
andraya3 says
March 14, 2013 at 8:56 pmThis post was so timely…as I just decided the a night or two ago that we are going to give kombucha a try!!!
Amanda Pierce says
March 14, 2013 at 9:10 pmI have heard a ton about this but haven’t taken the step to try it. I would love this starter kit! Thanks for all of the great info!
BobbyeAnnWendt says
March 14, 2013 at 10:02 pmABSOLUTLY love to get started making kombucha , need the scoby to get started thanks .
Brian Dao says
March 14, 2013 at 11:26 pmIt was just three days ago that i drank this slightly alcoholic and fruity tasting drink.
Raj M says
March 15, 2013 at 7:05 amGreat info…can’t wait to start this experiment!!
Lorri E says
March 15, 2013 at 10:07 amCan I use Sucanot for the sugar?
hallecottis says
March 15, 2013 at 10:14 am@Lorri E Yes you can use sucanat.
Lorri E says
March 20, 2013 at 9:39 pm@hallecottis Thanks! I am brewing some right now. Can’t wait.
sanielj says
March 16, 2013 at 6:51 ammy boss drinks a raw version everyday. maybe i will give it a try. thanks
Reba J says
March 18, 2013 at 3:24 pmI love Kombucha! I drink a least one a day. Excited to give your instructions a try and start brewing my own.
wineluv5150 says
March 18, 2013 at 6:04 pmI keep forgetting how much I like Kombucha! I really need to get some brewing!
JessicaSmiddyReagan says
March 24, 2013 at 3:56 pmI can’t wait to start brewing my own!!
Adrienne Whole New Mom says
April 9, 2013 at 9:29 pmWhy does non organic tea have fluoride in it?
hallecottis says
April 10, 2013 at 8:34 amAdrienne Whole New Mom Good question. The concern comes up that ALL tea has fluoride in it and it is unclear where the source of fluoride comes from. Organic tea is thought to have less fluoride, but this has only been discovered from a small team that did a study for the WAPF. (http://www.westonaprice.org/food-features/kvass-and-kombucha)
Some believe fluoride in tea could come from:pollution, certain fertilizers and pesticides others believe that it comes right from the tea plant itselfor is the water source where the fluoride comes from?
This is known though…that older, lower quality tea contains more fluoride then younger tea leaves.
anj says
July 30, 2013 at 2:07 pmWhy no coloured glass for Kombucha?
Heidi says
December 7, 2013 at 1:29 pmDo you worry at all about caffeine or alcohol in kombucha?
chaya bell-gumaer says
January 21, 2014 at 8:04 pmSo if you use loose leaf tea how much should you use? 4 bags=about 2 Tablespoons?
You can grow you own Scoby by buying an unflavored Kombucha and letting it ferment with some sugary tea. I have tried it, and it works. Once you have one scoby they continue to multiple, and you will have more than you know what to do with, so you can share them with others!
Becky says
February 19, 2014 at 1:44 amYou really should explain why not to use colored glass. With brews it is usually suggested that you store them in colored glass so that it remains unchanged by UV.
Also, this is an important read for anyone brewing Kombucha: http://www.phoenixhelix.com/2013/03/25/kombucha-myths-vs-truths/
Jen Spicuzza says
April 3, 2014 at 12:29 pmWhy do you NOT use colored glass? I was told to buy colored glass for the flavored kambucha because it needs to be out of the light… for my actual 10 day batch I am using a clear glass…
Brenda says
March 11, 2015 at 11:15 pmI have recently started drinking Kombuchi that I purchase at a health food store. Would like to start brewing my own. Thanks for the tutorial and post.
Frank Neumayer says
August 17, 2015 at 5:47 pmJust bought a bottle to drink from the health co op store. Lke it…
Frank Neumayer says
August 17, 2015 at 5:48 pmJust bought some from a health store to drink, taste good..
Christine says
September 17, 2015 at 1:17 pmI would love to start making my own Kombucha. It would be much cheaper than buying it already made. I have one question though. Do you have to use black and green organic tea only or can you use other kinds of organic tea as well?
Halle Cottis says
September 21, 2015 at 7:30 amYou need black tea for your kombucha but you certainly can change out the green tea with an organic flavored tea of your choice.
Sarah says
January 13, 2016 at 1:14 pmOk so I was thinking of doing Earl grey for the black tea and then chamomile instead of the green tea. What do you think about that? would the earl grey be gross and does the second tea have to have caffeine in it?
Halle Cottis says
January 14, 2016 at 12:20 pmYou want to keep the black tea, and I think Earl Grey has oil in their tea…you want to stay away from teas that have any kind of oils in them. But the chamomile sounds delicious!
Sarah says
January 21, 2016 at 12:34 pmOk. thanks Halle.
Michelle G says
March 31, 2016 at 7:56 amThanks so much for all the info! Wanted to keep my big jar with the tea fermenting in a box. There is no top to the box. In this way I will be able to keep it warmer. I know the tea needs to have air circulation–therefore don’t put it in a closet. Will this be OK?
Halle Cottis says
March 31, 2016 at 8:02 amYou certainly can try it Michelle, but I have not tried that. Just be sure to have a coffee filter to cover the top so that bugs don’t fly in it.
Sarah says
April 10, 2016 at 4:00 pmI had to use soap to get the labels off my bottles (using recycled GT bottles) is that going to effect my brew? Should I scrub with vinegar or run through the dishwasher without soap?
Halle Cottis says
April 11, 2016 at 9:43 amNo, it shouldn’t bother the brew because it is on the outside of the bottle.
Starla says
April 25, 2016 at 1:51 pmI have several health issues. Which have landed me as disabled. My friend makes this and i get from her. It helps tremdously! I would however like to make my own. Due to the fact she is 2 hrs away. And the cost for my fixed income.
Thank you for the opportunity.
Happy Health to everyone
Halle Cottis says
April 25, 2016 at 5:01 pmHappy to help!
Linda says
June 21, 2016 at 11:34 amHi Halle, I’ve been wanting to make my own kombucha. Have you tried making your own scoby like this (http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-your-own-kombucha-scoby-cooking-lessons-from-the-kitchn-202596) or is it better to buy one?
Halle Cottis says
June 24, 2016 at 12:06 pmHi Linda! 🙂 I have never tried this method, but I do not see why it wouldn’t work. I’d give it a try and give me a shout out to let me know how it works for you! Hope your travels are going well friend! 🙂
Jenny says
May 7, 2017 at 6:15 pmI’m a little confused about amounts. Here it says to use 1 cup of starter tea, but in the next step you only recommend saving 1/2 to 2/3 cup of the next batch. Will that be enough starter for the next batch of kombucha? What happens if I use more than 1 cup? Is it important to be exact? Also, the list of items above makes it seem like I need a bowl and a jar – what’s the bowl for? I’m making my first brew and don’t want to kill my SCOBY!
Halle Cottis says
May 8, 2017 at 7:02 am1/2 cup starter tea should work just fine. This will give it just the right amount of beneficial bacteria to brew your tea. You only need a bowl OR jar, your choice. You should be good to go to start your brew! 🙂
Rae says
July 31, 2017 at 12:02 amI follow all the steps & I like the taste but it’s not bubbly?! Any tips please?
Halle Cottis says
August 1, 2017 at 8:26 amHi Rae,
Did you follow the kombucha soda recipe (the next post in this series)? If it isn’t bubbly, leave it out on the counter to ferment another day or two.