Comments on: How to Brew Kombucha http://castlegrok.com/how-to-brew-your-own-kombucha-at-home/ Chronicles of a Modern Caveman Sun, 13 May 2012 21:45:32 +0000 hourly 1 By: ThatGirl http://castlegrok.com/how-to-brew-your-own-kombucha-at-home/comment-page-1/#comment-5473 ThatGirl Mon, 29 Aug 2011 20:27:48 +0000 http://castlegrok.com/?p=2598#comment-5473 Hands down best video on brewing Kombucha that I've seen; on my way to the kitchen to scrounge up all the needed items hiding in our kitchen. LIKE! Hands down best video on brewing Kombucha that I’ve seen; on my way to the kitchen to scrounge up all the needed items hiding in our kitchen. LIKE!

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]]> By: greg from drinking green tea http://castlegrok.com/how-to-brew-your-own-kombucha-at-home/comment-page-1/#comment-3538 greg from drinking green tea Tue, 05 Apr 2011 04:51:36 +0000 http://castlegrok.com/?p=2598#comment-3538 Thanks Grok for this post. I found the info here most helpful for those who are starting out to make Kombucha tea at home. Beyond that, what impressed me most is your willing or shall I say adventure in trying out the different mix. So far I have tried using black and green tea with white sugar. I appreciate the tip on using brown sugar so as not to slow down the fermentation. I will try that next. And, who would have thought that honey is actually anti-bacteria! <em>If you really think about it, it makes sense... it's the only food that doesn't go bad :)</em> Thanks Grok for this post. I found the info here most helpful for those who are starting out to make Kombucha tea at home. Beyond that, what impressed me most is your willing or shall I say adventure in trying out the different mix.

So far I have tried using black and green tea with white sugar. I appreciate the tip on using brown sugar so as not to slow down the fermentation. I will try that next.

And, who would have thought that honey is actually anti-bacteria!

If you really think about it, it makes sense… it’s the only food that doesn’t go bad :)

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]]> By: Grok VVIX (10,009th) (@CastleGrok) http://castlegrok.com/how-to-brew-your-own-kombucha-at-home/comment-page-1/#comment-2693 Grok VVIX (10,009th) (@CastleGrok) Wed, 19 Jan 2011 20:12:55 +0000 http://castlegrok.com/?p=2598#comment-2693 Remember when I did #6WC? http://t.co/LcJltHN Was 148lbs then #Funfact Remember when I did #6WC? http://t.co/LcJltHN Was 148lbs then #Funfact

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]]> By: Nan http://castlegrok.com/how-to-brew-your-own-kombucha-at-home/comment-page-1/#comment-1997 Nan Sun, 26 Sep 2010 21:29:26 +0000 http://castlegrok.com/?p=2598#comment-1997 Thanks for the fast reply! Thanks for the fast reply!

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]]> By: Grok http://castlegrok.com/how-to-brew-your-own-kombucha-at-home/comment-page-1/#comment-1996 Grok Sun, 26 Sep 2010 17:36:53 +0000 http://castlegrok.com/?p=2598#comment-1996 @Nan, Add whatever you want pretty much after the culture has been removed. @Nan, Add whatever you want pretty much after the culture has been removed.

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]]> By: Nan http://castlegrok.com/how-to-brew-your-own-kombucha-at-home/comment-page-1/#comment-1988 Nan Fri, 24 Sep 2010 03:54:59 +0000 http://castlegrok.com/?p=2598#comment-1988 Thanks for the clear directions. If I want to add ginger flavor, do I simply add real bits of ginger root toward the end? Appreciatively, Nan Thanks for the clear directions.

If I want to add ginger flavor, do I simply add real bits of ginger root toward the end?

Appreciatively,
Nan

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]]> By: Grok http://castlegrok.com/how-to-brew-your-own-kombucha-at-home/comment-page-1/#comment-1344 Grok Thu, 22 Apr 2010 06:01:59 +0000 http://castlegrok.com/?p=2598#comment-1344 @Nicki You're welcome. I'm drinking from my freshly finished batch right now :) Heavenly brew! @Nicki You’re welcome.

I’m drinking from my freshly finished batch right now :) Heavenly brew!

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]]> By: Nicki http://castlegrok.com/how-to-brew-your-own-kombucha-at-home/comment-page-1/#comment-1343 Nicki Wed, 21 Apr 2010 21:22:26 +0000 http://castlegrok.com/?p=2598#comment-1343 Helpful video thanks. Confident enough to go scoby hunting now :) Helpful video thanks. Confident enough to go scoby hunting now :)

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]]> By: Grok http://castlegrok.com/how-to-brew-your-own-kombucha-at-home/comment-page-1/#comment-1189 Grok Wed, 24 Mar 2010 04:22:03 +0000 http://castlegrok.com/?p=2598#comment-1189 @rps I don't drink GT's so I have no idea, but I imagine it's a whole lot less sweet, since GT's wouldn't probably sell much in USA is it didn't taste like sugar and/or fruit with sugar ;) Easiest solution is to just ferment it to your taste, then stick it in the fridge. That'll pretty much stop the fermenting. @rps I don’t drink GT’s so I have no idea, but I imagine it’s a whole lot less sweet, since GT’s wouldn’t probably sell much in USA is it didn’t taste like sugar and/or fruit with sugar ;)

Easiest solution is to just ferment it to your taste, then stick it in the fridge. That’ll pretty much stop the fermenting.

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]]> By: rps http://castlegrok.com/how-to-brew-your-own-kombucha-at-home/comment-page-1/#comment-1188 rps Wed, 24 Mar 2010 00:11:17 +0000 http://castlegrok.com/?p=2598#comment-1188 How does the sweetness of your kombucha compare to GTs? I like GTs but it's way too sweet. Can you ferment out most or all of the sugar without getting it too acidic or something? How does the sweetness of your kombucha compare to GTs? I like GTs but it’s way too sweet. Can you ferment out most or all of the sugar without getting it too acidic or something?

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]]> By: caron kay http://castlegrok.com/how-to-brew-your-own-kombucha-at-home/comment-page-1/#comment-1077 caron kay Thu, 18 Feb 2010 13:09:40 +0000 http://castlegrok.com/?p=2598#comment-1077 Hi! I am growing my scoby for the first time. I don't think I have the patience for this as I look at it at least 5 times a day. Are you sending scobys to desperate people? Hi! I am growing my scoby for the first time. I don’t think I have the patience for this as I look at it at least 5 times a day. Are you sending scobys to desperate people?

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]]> By: Grok http://castlegrok.com/how-to-brew-your-own-kombucha-at-home/comment-page-1/#comment-685 Grok Sun, 03 Jan 2010 05:10:25 +0000 http://castlegrok.com/?p=2598#comment-685 How much Kombucha do I drink per day? 20oz - Average tally for the past two months. How much Kombucha do I drink per day? 20oz – Average tally for the past two months.

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]]> By: penty http://castlegrok.com/how-to-brew-your-own-kombucha-at-home/comment-page-1/#comment-491 penty Fri, 11 Dec 2009 18:34:17 +0000 http://castlegrok.com/?p=2598#comment-491 Nice article, I'll have to try this out. BTW: "At least for now anyway, I like having up-most control over my brew." It's not "up-most" it's "utmost". <em>Thanks. Although I am a terrible at grammar and spelling, this was probably spellcheck.</em> "I’ve seen bartenders do this trick to taste test whiner’s drinks." I believe you mean "winer's". <em>Nope - Whiner: noun, a person who makes frequent complaints usually about little things.</em> <em>Thanks for looking out for me. I write most of this stuff in the dark hours of the morning ;)</em> Nice article, I’ll have to try this out.

BTW:

“At least for now anyway, I like having up-most control over my brew.” It’s not “up-most” it’s “utmost”.
Thanks. Although I am a terrible at grammar and spelling, this was probably spellcheck.

“I’ve seen bartenders do this trick to taste test whiner’s drinks.” I believe you mean “winer’s”.
Nope – Whiner: noun, a person who makes frequent complaints usually about little things.

Thanks for looking out for me. I write most of this stuff in the dark hours of the morning ;)

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]]> By: Grok http://castlegrok.com/how-to-brew-your-own-kombucha-at-home/comment-page-1/#comment-449 Grok Tue, 24 Nov 2009 21:05:55 +0000 http://castlegrok.com/?p=2598#comment-449 My last 3 gallons of Kombucha were <u>brewed with honey</u>. I did this for two reasons: <ul> <li>I have a quart of honey in the cupboard I'm never using otherwise</li> <li>Some people like the thought of using "natural sugars"</li> </ul> Side-by-side, my dark colored honey fermented several days faster in mostly white tea (some green), as opposed to the other using only green, despite using a smaller SCOBY! <strong>Honey Kombucha Verdict</strong> In my opinion (which doesn't amount to much - Haha) Kombucha made with honey is not even close to as good as kombucha made with white sugar like in the recipe above. I could have used better honey for sure, but the honey undertones of the brew are just not very appealing to me. They almost kind of stink. It still smells sorta sweet, so I have to wonder if it contains more unfermented sugars/carbs. Honey Kombucha burps and bubbles a lot more! The SCOBIES bubble and fart (not audibly) like crazy throughout the entire fermentation process. It appears that heavy carbs give cultures gas too ;) I've had honey Kombucha in the fridge for several weeks now. The left over mother (after straining) seems to continue growing in the fridge much more so than with white sugar. There's a lot more debris floating in the honey kombucha after a short period. Another indicator that there might be more sugar left in the final product. Bottom line: "If it aint broke, don't fix it" ;) My last 3 gallons of Kombucha were brewed with honey. I did this for two reasons:

  • I have a quart of honey in the cupboard I’m never using otherwise
  • Some people like the thought of using “natural sugars”

Side-by-side, my dark colored honey fermented several days faster in mostly white tea (some green), as opposed to the other using only green, despite using a smaller SCOBY!

Honey Kombucha Verdict
In my opinion (which doesn’t amount to much – Haha) Kombucha made with honey is not even close to as good as kombucha made with white sugar like in the recipe above.

I could have used better honey for sure, but the honey undertones of the brew are just not very appealing to me. They almost kind of stink. It still smells sorta sweet, so I have to wonder if it contains more unfermented sugars/carbs.

Honey Kombucha burps and bubbles a lot more! The SCOBIES bubble and fart (not audibly) like crazy throughout the entire fermentation process. It appears that heavy carbs give cultures gas too ;)

I’ve had honey Kombucha in the fridge for several weeks now. The left over mother (after straining) seems to continue growing in the fridge much more so than with white sugar. There’s a lot more debris floating in the honey kombucha after a short period. Another indicator that there might be more sugar left in the final product.

Bottom line: “If it aint broke, don’t fix it” ;)

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]]> By: Grok http://castlegrok.com/how-to-brew-your-own-kombucha-at-home/comment-page-1/#comment-397 Grok Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:14:31 +0000 http://castlegrok.com/?p=2598#comment-397 @Johnny - Know all about the <em>“the latte factor”</em>! Mine used to be the "Red Bull, Rockstar, Wired Factor". I would buy like 5 of them a day back when they were almost $3 a pop. Can you say adrenal fatigue, inflammation, bonked out and miserable? It's nice having a relatively healthy and cheap vice like Kombucha now :) @Johnny – Know all about the “the latte factor”! Mine used to be the “Red Bull, Rockstar, Wired Factor”. I would buy like 5 of them a day back when they were almost $3 a pop. Can you say adrenal fatigue, inflammation, bonked out and miserable?

It’s nice having a relatively healthy and cheap vice like Kombucha now :)

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]]> By: Johnny at The Lean Saloon http://castlegrok.com/how-to-brew-your-own-kombucha-at-home/comment-page-1/#comment-395 Johnny at The Lean Saloon Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:14:08 +0000 http://castlegrok.com/?p=2598#comment-395 I started drinking store-bought Kombucha tea about a year ago, but around here they sell a 16-oz bottle of the stuff for nearly $4. At the time I figured if my wife can buy a Star*ucks vente latte for $4, then I can enjoy a Kombucha for the same price. Two wrongs didn't make a right when we added up how much money we were spending. What was called "the latte factor" had been blown into "the latte-kombucha factor." Yikes. Unfortunately (or fortunately) I am now addicted to the taste of Kombucha tea. This video will definitely come in handy as I make my own from now on. Thanks for sharing! I started drinking store-bought Kombucha tea about a year ago, but around here they sell a 16-oz bottle of the stuff for nearly $4. At the time I figured if my wife can buy a Star*ucks vente latte for $4, then I can enjoy a Kombucha for the same price. Two wrongs didn’t make a right when we added up how much money we were spending. What was called “the latte factor” had been blown into “the latte-kombucha factor.” Yikes.

Unfortunately (or fortunately) I am now addicted to the taste of Kombucha tea. This video will definitely come in handy as I make my own from now on.

Thanks for sharing!

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]]> By: Grok http://castlegrok.com/how-to-brew-your-own-kombucha-at-home/comment-page-1/#comment-382 Grok Sun, 15 Nov 2009 21:59:01 +0000 http://castlegrok.com/?p=2598#comment-382 @Andrew - Thank you for the input. All very compelling reasons. In the months to come I may keep a continuous brew, but for now I really like the idea of tighter regulation of the sugar content. Call me anal or OCD ;) The method in the video is also the cheapest way for beginners to get started. Most people already have everything laying around except for the culture. @Andrew – Thank you for the input. All very compelling reasons.

In the months to come I may keep a continuous brew, but for now I really like the idea of tighter regulation of the sugar content. Call me anal or OCD ;)

The method in the video is also the cheapest way for beginners to get started. Most people already have everything laying around except for the culture.

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]]> By: Andrew http://castlegrok.com/how-to-brew-your-own-kombucha-at-home/comment-page-1/#comment-381 Andrew Sun, 15 Nov 2009 21:34:09 +0000 http://castlegrok.com/?p=2598#comment-381 Continuous brewing is extremely convenient. Because there is a large volume of fermented tea compared to unfermented tea, the chances of mold are much lower. Not to mention you're not handling the culture, and no need to pour out a (heavy and unwieldy) gallon of liquid. Continuous brewing is extremely convenient. Because there is a large volume of fermented tea compared to unfermented tea, the chances of mold are much lower. Not to mention you’re not handling the culture, and no need to pour out a (heavy and unwieldy) gallon of liquid.

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]]> By: Grok http://castlegrok.com/how-to-brew-your-own-kombucha-at-home/comment-page-1/#comment-379 Grok Sun, 15 Nov 2009 09:17:33 +0000 http://castlegrok.com/?p=2598#comment-379 @Jedidja - Thanks buddy! We'll see tomorrow, but I might be down 20 full pounds since <a href="http://castlegrok.com/kill-to-eat-episode-1/">Kill To Eat Episode 1</a>. I actually look soft too, because I'm retaining some water and not eating many carbs. I'll be taking pictures in 3 weeks. @Jedidja – Thanks buddy!

We’ll see tomorrow, but I might be down 20 full pounds since Kill To Eat Episode 1. I actually look soft too, because I’m retaining some water and not eating many carbs. I’ll be taking pictures in 3 weeks.

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]]> By: Jedidja http://castlegrok.com/how-to-brew-your-own-kombucha-at-home/comment-page-1/#comment-378 Jedidja Sun, 15 Nov 2009 09:04:21 +0000 http://castlegrok.com/?p=2598#comment-378 Great video :) Also, you have really leaned out (it seems compared to the first #killtoeat video, anyway). The #<a href="http://castlegrok.com/tag/6wc/">6wc</a> stuff and #primal is definitely working! Great video :) Also, you have really leaned out (it seems compared to the first #killtoeat video, anyway). The #6wc stuff and #primal is definitely working!

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]]> By: Olivia http://castlegrok.com/how-to-brew-your-own-kombucha-at-home/comment-page-1/#comment-376 Olivia Sat, 14 Nov 2009 20:48:25 +0000 http://castlegrok.com/?p=2598#comment-376 Not long, not boring. Perfect! I am getting ready to talk to my husband about starting Kombucha now along with seed sprouting (as in sprouts that you eat, which I used to do as a raw foodist). Both go together well and enjoy a warm room. We have a little tiny room a bit bigger than a closet with a sink and shelves and a space heater that worked well for the sprouts in the past, so I'm thinking the tea would like it there. I've been wanting to do this for a couple of years, just hadn't been motivated. Reading yours and clayberg's and others tweets are super-motivating! Thanks again, O <small><em>Just make sure the room stays about "room temperature" ~ Grok</em></small> Not long, not boring. Perfect! I am getting ready to talk to my husband about starting Kombucha now along with seed sprouting (as in sprouts that you eat, which I used to do as a raw foodist). Both go together well and enjoy a warm room. We have a little tiny room a bit bigger than a closet with a sink and shelves and a space heater that worked well for the sprouts in the past, so I’m thinking the tea would like it there.

I’ve been wanting to do this for a couple of years, just hadn’t been motivated. Reading yours and clayberg’s and others tweets are super-motivating!

Thanks again,

O

Just make sure the room stays about “room temperature” ~ Grok

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]]> By: Grok http://castlegrok.com/how-to-brew-your-own-kombucha-at-home/comment-page-1/#comment-375 Grok Sat, 14 Nov 2009 20:43:52 +0000 http://castlegrok.com/?p=2598#comment-375 @Stacey Clayton - Olivia, Thanks! Glad it was helpful. I was worried about it being too long and boring. I made most of it at like 2am after a few nights of <a href="http://castlegrok.com/got-pests-grok-doesnt/">squirrel induced insomnia</a>. I had to edit so much! Still ended up being 11 minutes! It really is easy. Just keep the ingredients simple and the tools clean. Come back and drop me a full report here in a few weeks! it will help others also :) @Stacey Clayton – Olivia,

Thanks! Glad it was helpful.

I was worried about it being too long and boring. I made most of it at like 2am after a few nights of squirrel induced insomnia. I had to edit so much! Still ended up being 11 minutes!

It really is easy. Just keep the ingredients simple and the tools clean. Come back and drop me a full report here in a few weeks! it will help others also :)

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]]> By: Olivia http://castlegrok.com/how-to-brew-your-own-kombucha-at-home/comment-page-1/#comment-374 Olivia Sat, 14 Nov 2009 20:02:20 +0000 http://castlegrok.com/?p=2598#comment-374 Yes, thank you for this---it is wonderful! It makes a difference having both written and visual information. The video is very clear and easy and mentions additional information. I think it's a great video, certainly very helpful to me. I drink a lot of Kombucha and really enjoy it. It is expensive, and this looks like a good way for me to go too. I'm going to start gathering things today, too (like Clayberg). Thanks again, O Yes, thank you for this—it is wonderful! It makes a difference having both written and visual information. The video is very clear and easy and mentions additional information. I think it’s a great video, certainly very helpful to me.

I drink a lot of Kombucha and really enjoy it. It is expensive, and this looks like a good way for me to go too.

I’m going to start gathering things today, too (like Clayberg).

Thanks again,

O

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]]> By: Stacey Clayton http://castlegrok.com/how-to-brew-your-own-kombucha-at-home/comment-page-1/#comment-372 Stacey Clayton Sat, 14 Nov 2009 14:15:59 +0000 http://castlegrok.com/?p=2598#comment-372 CastleGrok, THANKS FOR THAT GREAT INFO!! After researching on how to make Kombucha, I was a little afraid to start, but hey after watching this I think I could try! I checked out some other videos yesterday and yours was far superior to them, two thumbs up ;p Off to buy some supplies! CastleGrok,

THANKS FOR THAT GREAT INFO!! After researching on how to make Kombucha, I was a little afraid to start, but hey after watching this I think I could try! I checked out some other videos yesterday and yours was far superior to them, two thumbs up ;p

Off to buy some supplies!

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