{"id":1312,"date":"2017-11-20T05:50:55","date_gmt":"2017-11-20T05:50:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/?p=1312"},"modified":"2021-05-14T19:59:59","modified_gmt":"2021-05-14T19:59:59","slug":"6-easy-steps-grow-kombucha-scoby-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/6-easy-steps-grow-kombucha-scoby-home\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Easy Steps to Grow Kombucha SCOBY at Home"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Kombucha may have just recently become popular in the Western World, but it has been used in the east for thousands of years. In ancient China, Kombucha was called the immortal health elixir because all of the health benefits that Kombucha provides; and its effectiveness at preventing everything from arthritis to cancer.<\/p>\n

It is easy to be skeptical about the health benefits of Kombucha, because natural and herbal remedies rarely live up to their promises. However, this beverage is a little different. There have been several studies done by well-respected researchers that may demonstrate that Kombucha does have some health benefits. In fact, researchers have noticed a trend in countries that drink Kombucha regularly; from lower or non-existent cancer rates as well as other degenerative diseases to better overall health.<\/p>\n

The great thing is, you can grow your own Kombucha at home for almost nothing. Kombucha tea is made with something called SCOBY, an acronym for symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast. Once you have grown your SCOBY, you can use it to make Kombucha tea and reap the health benefits. In this article, we will go over the six steps needed to grow Kombucha SCOBY and turn it into a delicious tea.<\/p>\n

ONE: Determine Your Route<\/h3>\n

Your first step is going to be determining your route. You have a couple of choices when it comes to this task. If this is your first time brewing Kombucha then you have to choose whether to grow your own or get a starter Kombucha SCOBY<\/a> from the store. If you know someone who brews it, then you may be able to get starter supplies from them. If you do not want to get a store-bought starter SCOBY, but instead want to grow your own from scratch, then read on and discover exactly how it is done.<\/p>\n

\"\"TWO: Gather Your Supplies<\/h3>\n

The next step is going to be gathering the supplies that you’ll need for growing your Kombucha SCOBY. If you have decided to go this route, you are still going to need some Kombucha<\/a> tea from the store in order to start the growth process. You are also going to need a fermenting jar and some sweet tea as well as a large rubber band and a tight-knit towel. The amount of sweet tea that you need is directly proportional to the size of your fermenting jar, but a good rule-of-thumb is one cup.<\/p>\n

\"\"THREE: Combine Your Supplies<\/h3>\n

Your third step is going to start with brewing your sweet tea. You can add pre-made sweet tea like you would buy from the store or you can brew some caffeinated black or green tea<\/a> yourself and then add sugar to it. Once you have sweet tea, you can combine it with your Kombucha tea. Make sure that the sweet tea has cooled to room temperature if you brew it yourself. Use the towel to cover the jar so that the Kombucha can still breathe but is protected from contaminants and secure it with the rubber band.<\/p>\n

\"\"FOUR: Wait for the SCOBY to Grow<\/h3>\n

Now, you have to wait for the SCOBY to grow. You want to keep your fermenting jar somewhere out of direct sunlight but also somewhere warm. Approximately 65 to 85 degrees is the optical temperature<\/a> for growing a SCOBY. This process will take anywhere from two to four weeks. It usually takes less time in the summer. After you have let your jar ferment for seven days, you will be able to see a small SCOBY starting to develop. Sometimes it takes a little longer so don’t be discouraged if you don’t see it after a week. However, after three weeks, if you still don’t have any action, you should throw out the tea and start over.<\/p>\n

\"\"FIVE: Harvest Your SCOBY<\/h3>\n

Step five is to harvest your SCOBY. You don’t want to harvest until your SCOBY is about a quarter inch thick. Many Kombucha enthusiasts call this the Mother SCOBY or Mushroom SCOBY. You’ll be able to use the SCOBY to make your Kombucha tea as long as you have let it grow properly. Do keep in mind that your Kombucha tea is going to be a little bit alcoholic<\/a>, but only about 1%. Compare that to a standard beer which is about 6.5% alcohol.<\/p>\n

\"\"SIX: Make Kombucha SCOBY Tea<\/h3>\n

Finally, you’re going to make Kombucha SCOBY tea. You can make Kombucha tea with water, sugar, regular tea bags and one or two cups of starter tea from the last time you made Kombucha, and of course, your newly-formed SCOBY. You can make Kombucha Tea SCOBY tea with just these supplies, but many people ad in other foods for flavoring. For example, some people like to add fruit or fruit juice to their mix, there are a variety of herbs<\/a> and spices you can choose from and you can even add honey. It all depends on what your tastes are.<\/p>\n\r\n

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