How to Make Kombucha

 

Kombucha is a drink made from fermented tea that is said to aid digestion and gut health, detox your body, boost your immune system, increase your energy levels and so much more. You can read more about the benefits of drinking kombucha here

Kombucha can seem a little confusing to make, however once you get going it is actually really easy and far far cheaper than buying it commercially. A 3 litre batch costs only as much as a few tea bags and some sugar!!!

Makes 3 litres

Ingredients

• 1 scoby (I bought mine from The Whole Daily)
• 1 cup reserved brew from previous batch (you get this with the scoby when you buy it)
• 10 organic black tea bags
• 1.5 cups raw organic sugar
• 3 litres of filtered water
• 1 square of cheese cloth, thin breathable material or even just a paper towel
• 1 elastic band

Flavourings (optional)

• Beetroot and Mandarin
• Ginger and Tumeric
• Lime
• Strawberry and Basil

 

 Method

1. Sterilise a large jar that is big enough to hold 3 litres of liquid by filling it with boiling water and then emptying. It doesn’t need to have a lid as you will just cover the jar with a cloth.
2. Boil 3 litres of water and pour into a large ceramic or glass bowl with the tea bags. Let brew for 10 minutes
3. Remove tea bags and stir in the sugar until it has dissolved
4. Let this mixture cool completely and then pour into your large jar
5. Carefully place the scoby in and pour in the reserved brew from the previous batch (you get this when you buy a scoby from The Whole Daily).
6. Sit the jar somewhere where it wont get any direct sunlight on it. I just keep mine on the kitchen bench.
7. Let it ferment for 7-14 days until it tastes tart. I find it takes about 14 days when the weather is cooler, however is quicker in summer. You can taste the kombucha by placing a straw into the liquid and covering the hole with your finger to draw up some of the liquid.
8. You can now drink it as is or you can do a second ferment to create carbonation like the kombucha you buy in the shops.

Second Ferment

1. Pour the kombucha into another jar (making sure you reserve 1 cup of the liquid for the next batch)
2. If you wish you can add flavouring now by simply adding fresh/frozen fruit, herbs or vegetables to the kombucha
3. Cover with a cloth of paper towel and let it sit for  1 day so the flavours can infuse
4. Strain and pour into bottles that have  lids making sure to leave 1 inch of space at the top of the bottles
5. Let sit for 2-3 days until it is fizzy. You can check by opening the bottles and pouring out a little of the kombucha to taste
6. Once it is fizzy, store in the fridge until you are ready to drink.