Been listening to a lot of microbiome conversations lately in regards to overall health. Stanford recently did a study and concluded that fermented foods made a huge impact. I was looking to make some at home as the commercially available kombuchas are expensive for what they are. Looks like it's just fermented tea. I homebrewed beer for a long time so I can't imagine that it's much harder.

Do I need a brew kit? I see a couple of skoby starters available? Any better than another? Any books or YouTube channels that you'd recommend?

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Posted by keakdasneak

Member since Dec 2006

7137 posts

Posted on 12/21/23 at 2:01 pm to Aubie Spr96

I did it for a long time.

This is the go to book

Big Book of Kombucha

reddit/r/kombucha used to be a pretty good source of information as well.

Start simple. I recommend a ginger-only to start until you get the feel of second fermentations.

It's waaaay easier than brewing beer.

If I were starting again I'd probably do continuous brewing method.

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Posted by Aubie Spr96

lolwut?

Member since Dec 2009

41132 posts

Posted on 12/21/23 at 2:05 pm to keakdasneak

Ordered the book and a starter. Thanks!

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Posted by keakdasneak

Member since Dec 2006

7137 posts

Posted on 12/21/23 at 2:16 pm to Aubie Spr96

A lot of sources will say to use cheese cloth as a cover. Use paper towel. It helps keep fruit flies out.

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Posted by Jmcc64

alabama

Member since Apr 2021

534 posts

Posted on 12/21/23 at 4:03 pm to keakdasneak

I used a coffee filter held in place with rubber band. My scoby went kaput a year or so ago. don't know what happened, just would never brew properly.
I used mainly ginger or cranberry juice for 2nd ferment, nothing too exotic.

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Posted by el Gaucho

He/They

Member since Dec 2010

53004 posts

Posted on 12/22/23 at 6:12 am to Aubie Spr96

you can buy a bottle from the store and use that to start your own batch

I use some kinda netting and a rubber band and pickle jar. it's pretty low effort you can forget about it for a couple weeks and itll be ok still as long as you did the sugar right up front. oh and I use decaf tea since i mostly drink it at night

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Posted by LSURoss

SWLAish

Member since Dec 2007

15320 posts

Posted on 12/22/23 at 8:07 am to Aubie Spr96

We keep a scoby going and add random fruit every once in awhile.

My mom has done it for years and my 7yo loves it.

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Posted by ragincajun03

Member since Nov 2007

21257 posts

Posted on 12/22/23 at 9:00 am to el Gaucho

quote:
el Gaucho

Holy crap. Of the subjects I ever imagined that you might make a serious post on, homemade kombucha was not on that bingo card.

This post was edited on 12/22/23 at 12:01 pm

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Posted by jmon

Mandeville, LA

Member since Oct 2010

8415 posts

Posted on 12/22/23 at 9:05 am to Aubie Spr96

Easy peasey. I have found that it's a hobby and go through phases where I would make it a bunch continuously, and then it fades out. My daughter and I, when she was in high school, made it quite often. She's grown and moved out and I actually think she took the kit because it's been years since I made it.

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Posted by el Gaucho

He/They

Member since Dec 2010

53004 posts

Posted on 12/22/23 at 9:38 am to ragincajun03

I exclusively survive off weird shite out of both laziness and wishing I could be a caveman

You should check out my gurt recipe