By Ariana Estelle-Symons, Ph.D., Copyright August 1997
After many years of writing Kombucha instruction sheets (and always feeling that they were too complicated, and too hard to follow), I've finally come up with what I think are honest-to-goodness, easy to follow instructions for the brewing and harvesting of Kombucha. I hope you'll think so too.
Note: These growing instructions assume that you have purchased a Kombucha Kit from Harmonic Harvest. If you don't have this kit, these instructions are still useful if you substitute 5 tea bags for the loose tea leaves in Step 5 below.
You'll also need a little time, an open mind, and just a little patience. Brewing Kombucha is not 'difficult' - it's just 'different'.
Well, take a look at what you have in your 'growing kit'
Note: Always have very clean hands when working with Kombucha, when actually handling the Kombucha culture, you may wish to use the latex gloves supplied.
Now . . . relax and let your Kombucha do its thing. Try not to remove the cover during the fermentation process. Also, try not to jostle the bowl or jar. Just leave it alone and wait for seven days. I know - it's hard to leave it alone - you really want to peek.
FINALLY!
Seemed like a long seven days didn't it?
Well, it's time!
Just relax and follow the directions below. You can't harm your Kombucha 'mom' or 'baby' by handling them
If you are going to use bare hands, be sure to scrub with a nail brush and remove your rings, or use the latex gloves we sent you.
Clean your workspace well and remove all dirty dishes, food, potted plants, caged birds, and shoo the dog and cat out of the kitchen.
Bring the fermenting vessel into the kitchen , take the towel off the top. What do you see?
See the pale looking 'skin' that is covering the growing tea? What you are looking at is your brand new 'baby' Kombucha! They may be 'stuck' together, don't worry about that, some 'moms' just find it hard to let go.
WOW!!! YOU DID IT!!
With very clean hand, (or wearing gloves, reach in and remove the 'baby' and the 'mom' and place them on a clean plate.
It's not necessary to strain the fermented Kombucha tea, but you can if you wish. You can use a plastic or nylon strainer, or a paper coffee filter, or a piece of cheesecloth, or even the foot of a clean pantyhose or a piece of nylon netting.
The brown "ooglie" looking things you see floating in the "KT" are simply a part of the fermentation process, leftover or unused yeast cells. They won't hurt you or the KT, they are just rather unattractive.
Pour the fermented KT from the fermentation vessel into glass jars or juice containers, cover with the appropriate lids (screw on or snap top) and store in the fridge.
Your next batch of KT will be made exactly the same way. Be sure that you always save about two cups of fermented tea to add as a "starter" for each batch.
You can use either the 'mom' or the 'baby' to start your new batch.
Store extra 'babies' in the fridge in a glass container, being sure to cover the culture with fermented tea and a loose fitting lid so that it can 'breathe' a little.
Remember - if you have any questions at all - just give me a call and I'll 'walk you thru it'.
HARMONIC HARVEST
"All The Tea In Texas"
P.O.Box 82
Harwood, TX 78632
830-540-4899
This publication is copyrighted and the publication or portions thereof may not be used in any way without written permission from the author. All rights reserved.
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Ariana
If you have questions about Kombucha or the contents of this web page, ask Ariana
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UpDt 10/25/1999