Would you like to ferment kombucha yourself at home?
You only need a few basic ingredients and utensils to make kombucha. Depending on your taste and personal preferences, you can vary some of the ingredients. For a fermentation process that is as controllable as possible, you should use suitable, high-quality ingredients and work cleanly. If organic farming is important to you, you can also use organic ingredients.
You need the following to make kombucha:
- 1 large glass container with a wide opening (approx. 1–2 liters in volume), thoroughly cleaned and well rinsed
- 1 SCOBY ("kombucha mushroom")
- Tea, e.g. green, black, or white tea without added flavorings
- Cane sugar
- Water – Drinking water suitable for fermentation; filtering is not generally necessary
- Starter liquid from a suitable kombucha batch or sufficiently acidic, unflavored kombucha as starter liquid
- 1 clean, breathable cover cloth and a fastener, e.g. a rubber band
Important: Use a clean container and clean utensils. Dishwashing detergent residue should be thoroughly rinsed off. Vinegar is not automatically a suitable disinfectant. For fermentation, sufficiently acidic starter liquid is also important so that the batch has suitable conditions from the outset. Follow a proven recipe for the quantities.
Where can I get a SCOBY?
You can buy a SCOBY – the abbreviation stands for Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast – from a reputable supplier or receive one from another kombucha fan. The starter liquid is often included. It is particularly important because, in addition to microorganisms, it also introduces acidity to the new batch.
If you receive a SCOBY, make sure it comes from a healthy batch and that enough starter liquid is included. A SCOBY alone is not enough for a reliable start. Do not use a batch that shows mold or unusual discoloration.
Summary: What do you need to make kombucha yourself?
For homemade kombucha, you need tea, sugar, water, a SCOBY, and enough starter liquid. A clean glass container and a breathable cover cloth are also part of the basic equipment. With suitable ingredients and hygienic working practices, you can create the right conditions for fermentation.
Frequently asked questions about making kombucha
Can I make kombucha myself without a SCOBY?
For a new batch, you need an active kombucha culture. This is often passed on together with a visible SCOBY and starter liquid. The starter liquid also contains microorganisms and is an important component of the batch.
Why is starter liquid important for kombucha?
Starter liquid introduces microorganisms and acidity to the fresh tea batch. This influences the conditions for fermentation from the very beginning. Use sufficiently acidic starter liquid from a suitable, healthy kombucha batch.
What sugar is suitable for kombucha?
For classic kombucha fermentation, regular household sugar is usually used. The microorganisms need sugar as a starting material for fermentation. Other sweeteners are not necessarily equivalent and can affect the result.
Do I need to use filtered water for kombucha?
No. Suitable tap water is sufficient in many cases. Whether filtering makes sense depends on the local water quality.
Share: