Kombucha SCOBY Fermenting Guide
Kombucha is a traditional fermented tea made with a live SCOBY (symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast) that thrives on black or green tea and sugar. The result is a tangy, slightly sweet, naturally effervescent drink that has been enjoyed for centuries. If you’ve ever wondered how to make kombucha at home, here’s a simple step-by-step guide.
Step 1: Gather your kombucha brewing supplies
To brew kombucha, you’ll need:
- Buy an Organic Kombucha SCOBY online
- Starter tea from a previous kombucha batch
- Black or green tea: loose-leaf or tea bags
- Sugar (white, raw, or organic)
- Filtered or boiled water (to remove chlorine/contaminants)
- A large glass jar (fermentation vessel)
- A breathable cover (cloth or coffee filter + rubber band)
- Optional: flavourings like fruit, ginger, or herbs (for second ferment)
Step 2: How to brew sweet tea for kombucha
- Boil 2–3 litres of water. Remove from heat and add 6–8 tea bags or 3 tbsp loose-leaf tea.
- Steep for 5–7 minutes, then remove tea bags or strain leaves.
- Stir in 1 cup sugar until dissolved.
- Let the sweetened tea cool to room temperature.
Step 3: Add your Kombucha SCOBY
- Pour cooled tea into your glass jar.
- Add your Kombucha SCOBY and 1–2 cups of starter tea.
- The SCOBY may float or sink — both are normal.
- Cover the jar with your breathable cloth and secure with a rubber band.
Step 4: Ferment the kombucha tea
- Place the jar in a warm, dark spot with good airflow.
- Ideal temperature: 20–28°C.
- Fermentation usually takes 7–14 days.
- Taste after 7 days — it should be tangy with a hint of sweetness. Longer ferment = stronger, more vinegar-like flavour.
Step 5: Bottle, flavour, and enjoy
- Remove the SCOBY and set it aside in some finished kombucha for your next batch.
- Pour kombucha into glass bottles, leaving 2–3 cm headspace.
- Add optional flavourings (fruit, ginger, herbs, etc.).
- Seal bottles with a tight lid and let sit at room temperature for 2–5 days to carbonate.
- Refrigerate once bubbly to slow fermentation.
That’s it! With just tea, sugar, and a Kombucha SCOBY, you can brew your own refreshing probiotic-rich kombucha at home. Want to explore more ferments? Try our Buy an Organic Jun SCOBY online (perfect for brewing Jun Tea), our Organic Water Kefir Grains, or our Organic Milk Kefir Grains for creamy, tangy kefir.
