How I Make Kombucha Tea

[JohnWilkesBooth70]

That's a great idea, a heating pad! I can use my seed bed heater.

[rockrhythm7]

Very nice instructions! Question- How do you store your scobys? I have a scoby that is almost ready, can I store the scoby in the liquid it's currently in?

[jorjeni]

@rockrhythm7 Hi and Thanks! You can store your SCOBY in a jar with a small amount of tea enough to cover them. Every 14 days you want to "FEED" it with some unfermented tea .

[guitar4art]

This is only to help you out but the kombucha will not have the same health benefits if you use vinegar in the starting process. It will make its own vinegar.

[jorjeni]

@guitar4art The reason I used vinegar is because the KT I used wasn't that tart. Also if you don't have any old KT to use you use the vinegar in place of it. If you leave it too long it will turn to vinegar which is what you DON'T want it to do.

[guitar4art]

Kombucha at Wal-Mart prices. LOL

[jorjeni]

@guitar4art LOL I like that LOL!!!

[jorjeni]

@CondemnedPatriot you can not use apple cider vinegar. It will not produce the correct strain of KT. The KT stays carbonated because after it has fermented you bottle it.

[CondemnedPatriot]

So I am making my first batch right now with your directions, but how is does it manage to stay carbonated with only a clothe on top? Also does it matter what vinegar you use? I only have apple cider vinegar at the moment. Nice video though.

[CondemnedPatriot]

42000 views, i had no idea this stuff was so popular, i thought i was like the only person alive who drinks it, funny

[ILuvEire]

When you say spring water, is that just normal bottled water? I've been told that you need to use distilled water so that there isn't any cross contaminating, but does it really matter?

Anyway, I loved the video, your dog is such a sweetie :[

[jorjeni]

@ILuvEire it is best to used water that has been filter. I personally use Reverse Osmosis water to make my KT. You want to make sure the water contains and little contaminates at possible. Distilled is best.

[SierraLD]

do you have to use black and green tea or can you use any kind of tea??

[jorjeni]

@SierraLD You can but it is best to make sure the tea you are using does not contain anything like Essential oils added to it.

[CondemnedPatriot]

@jorjeni Do you have to use tea at all? I'm trying to avoid drinking caffeine. Could you use juice or something else? I don't think most juices contain oil..

[jorjeni]

@CondemnedPatriot Yes you must you use TEA. It is Kombucha TEA. You can add juice to it after it is fermented and you are bottling it. You would not want to add any juice while the tea still has the SCOBY in it.

[fdzwes]

@CondemnedPatriot The tea is alkaline enough to allow the liquid to set unrefrigerated so the bacteria can multiply. Juices require much more aggressive/dominant strains of bacteria (brewers yeast) to produce enough alcohol to keep unwanted bacteria from spoiling batch.

[KathrynZilla]

Once I am done making the kombucha can i store it in a plastic bottle?

[jorjeni]

@KathrynZilla Yes you can. Some people think you shouldn't some say it's no big deal. I personally store mine in plastic bottles in fridge. If it last long enough to bottle LOL!!

[motorolaQ9h]

@jorjeni plastic contaminates the kombucha cause where i live you can have the option of the plastic bottled one and the glass bottle and the kombucha from the glass bottle always tastes better

[IanChicago773]

Great video! Great to find other enthusiasts on Youtube!

[imabadspeler]

Awesome video!

[sanddocon]

i want to make this stuff were can i get the plate looking mushroom?

[BakaTenshi1975]

@sanddocon

eBay - just search for Kombucha or Scoby

[cherryberryblossom]

so if i want to take a break from making the tea can i store the scobie in the fridge for a month or o later?

[jorjeni]

@cherryberryblossom Yes you can

[FindingSalihah]

Great video! I think it was a terrific job for your first time! Is it ok to use something other than sugar to feed the yeast? Like fruit juice or honey? Also, if kept in ideal conditions, how long can you keep using the original mother? Thanks so much!!

[amzuel420]

Great video. Do you use the distilled vinegar instead of starter tea or do you use the starter tea also? Or is that to retard mold? I used a bottle of store bought Kombucha and grew some lovely scobys in about 10 days. I'll be using them today to try your recipe. Thanks for the video. You are indeed a lovely lady!

[jorjeni]

Thank you

if I forget to save some of the old KT then I will use the vinegar but I usually remember. I showed how to do this with the vinegar incase someone didn't have any starter to use.

[strawalker]

Adding the vinegar later is okay the vinegar raises the acid level of the tea so that bad bacteria can infect your tea before your scoby gas a chance to take over. Good video

[blazingrc51]

if I made my kombucha yesterday 3/18/10, and i didnt put a cup of previously made kombucha or any distilled white vinegar into it, is it ruined or can I add the vinegar or komucha tea, gently stir it and let it be for the next seven days or so.

Your help is much appreciated!

[jorjeni]

Sorry so late in replying. It as you most likely know by now is ok. It should just be weaker but as you do other batches just add either the vinegar or some of the sour kombucha tea to your next batch.

Once again sorry for not getting back to you sooner.

[amzuel420]

This is a good video. You answered some of my questions before I got to ask......I love the guard dog. A wannabee burglar might do well to invest in some knee protection....LOL

[dhebert08]

what changes have you noticed in your body after drinking the tea and would you recommend others drinking it?

[luxunity]

thanks so much!! you did a great job, and can't wait to try making my own.

cute dog!!

[Cherishlife67]

Making Kombucha tea is so easy. You can pretty much make it any way you want. I use brown sugar and green tea for the antioxidants. I'm even brewing some in plastic jugs right now. Not sure how that's going to turn out, but it smells right and the baby scoby looks great.

[fatlossfundamentals]

That was fantastic. I just began making my own Kombuch as well, but just to see it done by someone else was great.

[Sabbathpunk]

I appreciated hearing about some of the tricks you use for brewin'. The cinnamon flavoring that you add sounds like a good idea, for instance. (I have to add that, as cliche as it is to say, the Net is an amazing tool. I mean, where on earth would I have find out about the best kombucha-making methods, say, 15 years ago? I would've been lucky to read even a passing remark about it in a health mag! :) Thanks for a good video!

[Msmarielt]

Thanks so much for the video. A friend gave me a kombucha scoby 6 months ago, I left it in a container in my fridge for almost 5 months! then a month ago I finally made the tea, much like you made it in your video. the scoby did have some mold on it I believe, and now I´m afraid to drink it. It does smell like apple cider vinegar.. I´ve left it there with the scoby all this time. what would you do??? thank you for your advice Jorjeni! Marie

[jorjeni]

Mold will look just like mold on bread. If it is brown and looks sort of like pieces of string or some slimy looking stuff that is yeast which is just fine

[koreanwutard]

where do you get those jars? I can't find them anywhere..!!

[jorjeni]

The lady who gave me my scoby gave them to me they are pickle jars. Try asking around at bars. Just make sure what ever jars you get they do not containe lead.

[kismetsmine]

I have been making kombucha tea for about 4 years and have never used vinegar. I just make sure to use plenty of the acidy kombucha tea from my last batch. I thought you only used vinegar if you did not have any brewed kombucha for use as the starter. Hmmm?.

[jorjeni]

As I say in the video you don't not have to use KT you can use the vinegar if you want. Since I only have 2 batches going at a time I never let it get too sour so I use the vinegar. Using sour KT is just fine.

[koreanwutard]

how do you make the SCOBY?

[theswoonfactor]

Great video...

[prestige334]

What is this supposed to be?

[thewholejourney]

Thanks for the video. Can you use apple cider vinegar in place of white distilled vinegar?

[voyuer42]

What is the reason for adding vinegar?

Thanks

[jorjeni]

If you are just starting out and do not have a good sour starter liquid to use then you must use the vinegar.

[blackswan230]

can u drink the Kombucha on ifs own, or do u have to add it to tea and do all the other stuff to get the benefits? Does the Kombucha Scoby ever go off? thanx im new to all this.

[jorjeni]

Kombucha is the tea that is fermented. A SCOBY looks like a mushroom. There is nothing to drink. You make the tea and put the mushroom into it and the end result is Kombucha Tea. That is what you drink. Yes your can "KILL" your Scoby and it can mold.

[jktcz]

Q2: Several people mentioned that the brown sugar is bad, and that one must use white sugar. However some people said the exact opposite. What is your experience?

[jorjeni]

I have only used White Sugar.

[jorjeni]

As for the Bergamot is the plant ground up or is it the Essential Oil mixed with the tea herb? If it is the oil I would not use it again if it the plant then I wouldn't worry about it. With any type of flavoring as long as it is mixed with a real tea and in it's natural state (a plant) and not oil or liquid there should be no problems but it is best to add things like that after a brew. I have not looked up what Bergamot will heal. I use the EO on my hair and in my soaps I make smell great!!!

[jktcz]

Great video!

I just started brewing and have some questions:

I read that earl grey is not good because of the bergamot.

I started with a residue from KT bottle. and earl grey (I read about it only after I'd mixed the stuff up). It's been 4 weeks and now I have a mushroom. It is nice white and smooth. No mold. The kombucha tastes wonderful.

Q: is it now immune to bergamot, can I continue using earl grey?

[morgmyster12]

i fort dis was SOAD sugaaaa lol

[momofbrock]

After the 10-14 day brewing aren't you supposed to refrigerate it!? Why two SCOBYs instead of one? Sorry, I've been researching for about an hour now so I don't know much yet.... .just know my mom just bought me some and it gave me energy! I'm anemic so that's a huge deal!!!

[jorjeni]

Yes you can but you don't have to right away. Some people bottle it and let it sit and get more carbinated for a few days before putting in fridge. Also you don't HAVE to use 2 SCOBYs one is just fine some people just let all of them grow together and have one really big thick one they use, that is up to you.

[HalfKaztBoy]

My dad is always drinking that shit, hes been drinking it for almost the past 7 years. He strongly believes in it, he says that when he stops taking it he gets a lack of energy at work and he doesn't urinate as frequently.

Personally I don't believe in it, it's very acidic, sometimes as strong as drinking watered down vinegar.

What do the rest of you guys think?

[ferbrando]

What is a SCOBY???

[jbmayer]

symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast

[jbmayer]

I love it and completely agree with your father....it has helped with a lot of things.

[mekongmaiden]

This was fantastic information! Thank you so much for sharing.

[TwoSet]

this shit is crazy

[zillizzy]

do you think if i used red wine vinegar i'd have a problem?

[jorjeni]

Yes you would have a problem. The two are different in the result of the end product and you do not want the product of the red wine vinegar. Use distilled white vinegar. If you have starter KT that is very sour you do not need to use vinegar at all.

[TheCarlahahn]

Thank you! You got me started. My daughter lives in NY during the school year. If I visit her I would like to visit you.

[lady4dogs]

Also, If mom IS unuseable, can baby still be used?

[jorjeni]

Yes you can you the baby. You don't have to keep the mother and baby together. You can take the baby and make another batch on it's own.

[lady4dogs]

Hi-

My tea is on it's 7th day brewing.

The SCOBY has some brown hairs on one side of it and is turning brown underneath. And it's veiny too. I also see a bubble like thing inside of it. Can't tell if it's a bubble though because it's in the shape of a caterpillar. Could there be a worm there? And do the brown hairs make it sound like it could be bad?

Thanks.

[r3bol]

Nice vid.

Does kombucha like sunlight?

[thane17]

Thank you for this video. I want to begin...where do I start? Do I need a kit? Where do I get this kit? Looks tasty!

[jorjeni]

It's ok if you don't use a heating pad. When the weather is warmer I do not use one. You can wait if you want til your next batch to use one.

[acwixx]

Thank you for posting, I just bought a kombucha kit and wanted to make sure I was doing it right. Can you add the heating pad after it has been with out for a few days? I know it say's do not move

it. I did not it needed a pad.

[thane17]

can I ask where you picked up your kit? Did you do much research before hand to know if it was a good place to get it? Thx

[Jon20060]

what is a Kombucha i just happen to tremble over this on the web.

[jorjeni]

translated to the Japanese as Kombu (seaweed) and Cha (tea)

SCOBY: Symbiotic Culture OF Bacteria and Yeast.

It's good stuff.

[veganprincess01]

Thanks for Posting! Very cute puppy!

[Hollyhocks0]

I've had several heating pads and low on all of them after awhile is pretty hot on the skin. Do I need to get one with lower watts or is low okay?

[jorjeni]

Check the tempture of you KT If you brew for 9 days temp should be at 79(26c) degrees for 14 days at 74(23.5c) degrees. You can get a candy themometer to check your temp or those strips for checking kids temp that you place on the outside of your jar.

[AllSeeingMedia]

Thank you for taking the time to share your Kombucha making skills! I appreciate it. And I love the pug.

[jorjeni]

TY!

[jorjeni]

Yes that is normal. Mold will be dry and green and black just like the mold on bread.

[kwikflikz]

i have some brownish slime on my otherwise healthy looking scobies i got from a friend. i don't think it is mold, looks more like residue from the tea...

is this normal? i started a batch today the same way you do in the video and hope it turns out to be drinkable.

thanks for the info!

[craayons]

This was so helpful, thank you!

[UltimateTrackMom]

Good video.I am wondering if I can use a glass container with a 1/2' medal spout on it? Is there any value of using a store bought bottle of KT as the starter vs the vinegar you used? Why is the store bought KT light colored? Last question can I add a little fruit juice atthe end of the process will it tak away any healthy properties of the KT?

Thanks

[jorjeni]

I have heard of people using a container with the medal spout just make sure the conatiner is not a lead based one. remember anything you use the tea will obsorb.

I have never used the store bought as a starter so I can not answer that sorry.

Once you taste the home brewed and see the differnce in taste that should answer that question :)

Yes you can but I would use fresh fruit instead of processed fruit juice that may have HFCS or other additives.

[UltimateTrackMom]

Thanks that washelpful and My container is glass so I think I will try it I am so excited..I have to get started because,mu daughter is drinking 2 bottles a week along with my bottles it's pricey.Your video was very helpful can't wait . Good idea about fresh fruit,

How long can it be refridgerated?

Thanks for the quick response I will keep you posted

[jorjeni]

I want to correct this information.

Please do not use a metal spout. I am sorry I posted the wrong information. If you have started with a metal spout after you are done brewing tranfer to jar with plastic spout. the KT will leech the metal from the spout. It will not cause any damage if you have already started just please do not continue to use.

Thank you and I am sorry I gave you the wrong information.

[MusicMyBlanket]

Thanks for the instructions. I just started some with oolong, seems to be doing good so far.

[Julie5510]

I made my first batch tea in two jars. Both jars formed a mushroom. One jar was great but not carbonated. The other jar had a little black mold in the corner. Is that jar bad and should I throw out that mushroom or cut the mold off? Also I used cane sugar in my first batch but would rather use Stevia. Will this affect the tea?

[jorjeni]

You MUST USE SUGAR!!!

The SCOBY is no longer usuable you must throw it out DO NOT USE A MOLDED SCOBY!!! PLEASE got to the website happyherbalist . com

[Julie5510]

I made two jars of tea from the same batch. One jar was great, but not carbonated. The other jar formed a mushroom but 1/4 of the jar developed black mold. Is the tea any good and can I cut the mold off and use the good side of the mushroom? Also I like using stevia instead of sugar will this affect the tea?

[Julie5510]

I've watched several videos before attempting my first batch. 1 jar was great, but no combination and the 2nd jar had a some amount of black mold on top, but a mushroom did form.(Is the tea any good? and can I keep the mushroom?) I used organic cane sugar but would rather use Stevia instead would this affect the out come of my tea?

[eternalywd]

Thanks for your video. It was well done.

I would like to dialouge with those of you who have achieved noted results from drinking kombucha tea.

I have read about it via the 'net but have never known any one personally who drank it.

Thanks

[jorjeni]

The vinegar is for your first few batches after that you do not need to continue to use it.

[jamooo12]

Thanks for the video - great tips, especially about storage temperature and serving containers, and hilarious pug cameo! I have never seen a recipe for kombucha that called for vinegar, however. What is the benefit?

[amkali24]

i have been brewing my KT for about 6-7 days now. it still has a tea like tast to it,. is is too lat to add a heating pad to it? if not, how long should i keep it on top of the pad?

[jorjeni]

You can keep brewing just as you are. Check it again at about 10 days.

[jorjeni]

The alcohol content is so low it's almost non-exsistant. It is made naturally when the tea is fermenting. If you want to learn more about it check out the happy herbalist website. It goes into detail and has a tool you can buy to check the alochol level.

[Qu4nIam]

Can it be alcohol free?

[WorkOnWellness]

Great video!

Thanks

[beba0447]

Good presentation & very clean excellent video thank you I`m a newbie to this & I`m interested but 2 videos before this one disgusted me. thank you for sharing

[jorjeni]

No I have not tried making a SCOBY that way. I was able to get a SCOBY from the Kombucha exchange. If you do an internet search for Kombucha exchange you should find it. I got 3 free from a woman in the state I live in PLUS some great tips and a gallon of KT she had brewed.

[mjojob]

Thank you. I used to brew my own tea years ago in North Carolina. This has all been brought back to my attention, when my hubby found a bottle at the local healthfood store. I just haven't been able to locate a scoby, but will follow your recommendation.

Thanks again!

[krebscycler]

You don't need to find a SCOBY. You can just use a bottle of unpasteurized kombucha tea as your starter!

[mjojob]

Thanks, got some going now with a bottle of KT. It wasn't doing anything so I placed the jar on a heating pad set on low. Now I'm starting to get foam on the top, with lots of bubbles.

[mjojob]

Good video. Have you ever created a scoby from Kombucha tea that is raw and bottled. I saw one video that showed how to start a scoby, but I have not heard if it was successful.

[jorjeni]

Thank you!!!

[ExZonie]

You are just darling and your video was very well done. Great explanation of everything. I'm adding it to my favorites!

[jorjeni]

I am trying to reply to post and it is not working. If this shows up I have no ideal why this would and the 10 other times I have tried have not.

[rmcandlelight]

I'm interested in this drink. What is scoby? Why is this healthy for you? Please respond. Thanks.

[ExZonie]

Try doing an internet search for benefits kombucha tea. It's truly amazing!

[johnnywelch]

Thanks Jorjeni. Where do I buy the Scobys? is it mail order or can i get them at a store (i am in san francisco)

[RMDelete]

Great video, I hope I did mine fine. I only have 1 scoby so I sure hope it lives :( I used green tea and chamille or something herbal tea and white sugar then I added old Kombucha juice and my scoby (it is actually smaller than the new jar I placed it in) think the size of the container will affect it's survival??? thanks!

[jorjeni]

No the size of the scoby will not affect the outcome. Your new Scoby should grow to the size of the new container. Let me know how it turns out.

[RMDelete]

thank you for your fast response! I'll make sure to let you know how it turns out :)

[eliate1]

Hi, firstly thanks for this video and as your first video you did fine :). Secondly I was just wondering if you know how long ready made kombucha tea will last sitting in the fridge? Thanks

[purplemoon79]

Thank you so much for your video, it's so very well explained, made it very easy for me to start my first batch! Would you have any advice on flavoring? Thanks!!!

[jorjeni]

Thank You

Do not flavor while it is fermenting. Do all your flavoring after it is done.

2 I have done are... Cinnamon sticks, 4 large ones into a plastic bottle with a top I pour my KT into the bottle let it sit for 2-3days remove the sticks by straining it's ready. Keep in the fridge.

Second flavor is raspberry lemon. I put one of those little cartons of raspberries in the bottle and about 2 slices of lemon add the KT let sit for a 2-3 days strain and put in fridge.

HTH

[ButterZoned]

Thank you for making this video. This is a lot easier than I thought it would be. You're right about the cost - the bottled kind I'm buying now is a sizeable part of my budget!

[jorjeni]

your welcome!!. If you look on the intertent you can find people that have SCOBYs to give away if not just let me know and I will send you one. It cost pennies to make your own and you can flavor it yourself too. My last batch is raspberry lemondaid!!!

[dinasaur01]

Hello! Your video is so so helpful! I can't seem to find anyone who is giving away SCOBYs. Do you have one to spare?

[ButterZoned]

Can it be made with decaf tea? I have to buy a heating pad and ok it with the people I live with, but I'm really interested in doing this. I think I'll flavor my first one as lemon-ginger... :D

(Thank you for the offer of a SCOBY - I wasn't sure how to get one - now I just have to get the ok on the heating pad to be always on for 8 days at a time)

[auntlenie]

Great job on your video!