Kombucha Tea Recipe

Mak Erot

3 min read

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Mar 30, 2025

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Kombucha Tea Recipe: A Beginner's Guide to Brewing Your Own

Are you ready to embark on a delicious and healthy journey into the world of homemade kombucha? This comprehensive guide will walk you through a simple yet effective kombucha tea recipe, perfect for beginners. Let's dive in!

What is Kombucha?

Kombucha is a fermented tea drink known for its purported health benefits and slightly tangy, fizzy flavor. It's created by fermenting sweetened tea using a SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast). This SCOBY is a living, gelatinous mass that acts as the engine of the fermentation process.

Ingredients You'll Need:

• 8 cups filtered water: Using filtered water is crucial to avoid chlorine or other chemicals that could harm your SCOBY.
• 1 cup sugar: White granulated sugar is traditionally used, but you can experiment with other sweeteners like honey (though it may affect the flavor).
• 8 black or green tea bags: Choose your favorite type of tea – black tea is a common choice for kombucha.
• 1 SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast): This is the magic ingredient! You can obtain a SCOBY from a friend who brews kombucha, or you may be able to find them online.
• 1 cup of already brewed kombucha (from a previous batch): This acts as a starter liquid for your new batch, supplying the needed bacteria and yeast for your SCOBY to thrive.

Step-by-Step Kombucha Brewing Process:

Step 1: Preparing the Sweet Tea

1. Boil the filtered water.
2. Add the sugar and stir until completely dissolved.
3. Add the tea bags and steep for 10-15 minutes.
4. Remove the tea bags and let the tea cool completely to room temperature. This is crucial – hot tea will kill your SCOBY.

Step 2: The Fermentation

1. Once the tea is cool, pour it into a large glass jar (a wide-mouth jar is recommended).
2. Add the SCOBY and the 1 cup of starter kombucha.
3. Cover the jar with a breathable cloth (cheesecloth works well) secured with a rubber band. This allows for air circulation while preventing unwanted contaminants from entering.
4. Place the jar in a dark, room-temperature location (ideally around 70-75°F or 21-24°C). Avoid direct sunlight.
5. Allow the tea to ferment for 7-30 days. The longer it ferments, the tangier and fizzier it will become. Taste-test after 7 days to check progress.

Step 3: Bottling & Second Fermentation (Optional)

1. Once the fermentation is complete (based on your preferred taste), carefully remove the SCOBY and starter liquid from the kombucha. You can reuse the SCOBY for your next batch!
2. For a second fermentation (to increase carbonation): Pour the kombucha into clean bottles, leaving some headspace. Add fruit, juice, or other flavorings if desired. Seal the bottles tightly and let them sit at room temperature for 1-3 days. Caution: Over-carbonation can cause the bottles to explode, so monitor closely.
3. For no second fermentation: Simply refrigerate the kombucha and enjoy!

Tips for Kombucha Success:

• Cleanliness is key: Sterilize your equipment thoroughly to prevent mold growth.
• Patience is a virtue: Kombucha brewing requires patience. Don't rush the process.
• Monitor your brew: Regularly check your kombucha for signs of mold or off-flavors.
• Experiment with flavors: Once you master the basic recipe, try adding different fruits, juices, or spices for unique flavor combinations.

Enjoy Your Homemade Kombucha!

With a little patience and attention to detail, you'll be enjoying the refreshing taste and potential health benefits of your very own homemade kombucha. Happy brewing!