How To Start Making Kombucha (You’ll Never Need a Recipe Again) — This Green Lifestyle

Now you know what a scoby is, but you still need to get one before you can start brewing kombucha at home. 

Getting your first scoby might seem like an intimidating process, but it’s actually a lot easier than you might think. There are a handful of methods to getting or growing a scoby, with some methods being easier, faster, or more effective.

Get one from a friend

You’ll quickly learn that scobies grow in layers, and you’ll need to remove excess layers from time to time (you can compost them!). If you know someone who is already making their own kombucha, they’ll likely be very happy to give you one of their excess layers, and a cup or two of starting kombucha.

Grow your own scoby from store-bought or craft kombucha

This is actually my favorite method, because it demonstrates that even big-brand kombucha has tons of beneficial bacteria floating around in it (hence it being probiotic).

Just open a bottle of fresh kombucha, drink some, then leave about 2 cups in your intended kombucha jar (wide-mouth so you can get the scoby in and out). Cover the jar with a tea towel or cheesecloth, secure with a rubber band, and wait…

It usually takes at least one to two weeks for a sufficiently-sized scoby to form, depending on temperature and pre-existing levels of the culture.

For this experiment it’s best to start with a neutral flavor of kombucha. Store-bought is more than enough but if you’re wanting to populate your kombucha with a more local culture, I suggest finding a nearby kombucha brewery!

Buy one (fresh or dehydrated)

A quick google search will show you a handful of companies that sell scobies, either fresh or dehydrated. I would highly suggest getting a fresh scoby if and when possible; not only will it be a faster process for you, but there’s a much higher chance of success.

I personally have limited success with dehydrated scobies, but that’s not to say that it can’t be a great option for you. Follow the product’s instructions for proper rehydration.

What should my kombucha scoby look like?

A scoby is usually white-ish in color, thick, and rubbery. It’s okay for the scoby to have little bits of brown on it, but keep an eye out for any growth of mold (white, green, or blue). Mold should not be able to grow if the kombucha’s acidity is high enough, so if you spot any, it might be time to start over.

The base kombucha recipe you’ll use every time

Here is the base kombucha recipe that will get you started off on the right foot!