Kombucha: Containers, Storage, Shipping & Supplies

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Re: Kombucha: Containers, Storage, Shipping & Supplies
« Reply #30 on: August 08, 2006, 08:09:33 AM » by jenny4wen

Hey! Way back on the first page, there was mention of dosage, and the fact that beer bottles are 12 oz. I found Coke in glass bottles, and they are only 8 oz. I've been using those, and the bottle capper works great on those too. The only problem is I have to drink the Coke! Shocked

It's ok, 'cause I like to! Cheesy

Ok, update. I used to like to. Wow! I got sick! I couldn't even drink 48 onces of Coke! I use to buy the 64 oz. cups at gas stations! Yea to a healthier lifestyle! I poured the rest of it down the drain.

« Last Edit: August 09, 2006, 05:46:13 PM by jenny4wen »
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Re: Kombucha: Containers, Storage, Shipping & Supplies
« Reply #31 on: August 27, 2006, 02:29:33 PM » by farmmom

Quote from: healthybratt on August 27, 2006, 09:03:55 AM

Quote from: farmmom on August 27, 2006, 07:28:33 AM

Brewing time is the time spent with the culture in the tea. This is what determines the acidity level and invariably the taste of the tea. You'll have better luck with fizzies if you don't put it in the fridge for storage. I've been brewing mine for 10 days with the culture and bottling. After bottling and sitting out of the fridge, the fizz just gets fizzier every day I let it set.

HB, so I want to make sure I am getting this correctly, I must be very hardheaded! Must you after putting in the mother or baby, let it sit outside of the fridge a designated amount of time and then fridge it for a designated time. Then do you bottle it seperately and let it sit out. What is the point of the fridge anyway, just to get it cold or does that help with the process. From reading your note it sounded like you bottle it and then just let it stay out until you are ready to drink it. If I am confusing you, I am so sorry!! You said more fizzies by sitting out so to have it cold do you just put in fridge close to drinking it? Now I know why I never excelled in chemistry.
I hope you understand this ?

« Last Edit: August 27, 2006, 06:19:46 PM by healthybratt »
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Re: Kombucha: Containers, Storage, Shipping & Supplies
« Reply #32 on: August 27, 2006, 06:30:53 PM » by healthybratt

Quote from: farmmom on August 27, 2006, 02:29:33 PM

HB, so I want to make sure I am getting this correctly,

1) Brew your tea and combine with scoby for 5-10 days (I personally recommend 10).

2) Separate your scoby from your tea after the 5-10 days. You now have Kombucha.

3) Keep 1 cup of your kombucha with the scoby and 1 cup for the baby (if you have one).

4) With your scoby and 1 cup of kombucha - make a new batch. Do the same with the baby if you have one.

5) With the remaining kombucha (1 gallon minus 2 cups), store and/or drink as you desire.
a) You can bottle it.
b) You can drink it.
c) You can fridge it.
d) You can store it on the counter in a bottle or a tightly sealed mason jar.

I prefer the bottling as it keeps the drink nice and fizzy and sometimes even helps it fizz up more. Putting it in the refridgerator makes it less fizzy and is not necessary to store it as long as you seal it up well to keep out fruit flies and such. I keep mine in beer bottles outside of the fridge and pour over ice when I'm ready to drink it. You can drink it immediately after you separate it from the scoby or you can wait a few days. The longer you wait, generally the more bubbles you will have and you will most likely also culture more babies in whichever containers you decide to store it in. These babies usually develop after about 3 days in storage. I usually just throw these away but you could actually keep them in some kombucha and grow them or use them for something else (check my list in a previous post).

Storage and consumption is mostly a taste preference. I would check all the other posts and then experiment to find what works best for you. The first batch I brewed for 7 days with 1 cup of sugar. It was very acidic and low on bubbles and didn't develop a very good baby. The next batch I used 1 1/2 cups of sugar and brewed for 10 days and the babies were good size and the bubbles were great and it was a bit sweeter. It tastes like carbonated apple juice to me. If you don't like your first batch, don't sweat it, try again. Each batch will probably taste a bit different. You can taste your kombucha while it's brewing if you want to decide how long to brew it. Just stick a straw down under the scoby and take a sip. If it's not to your liking, leave it a bit longer. If after 10 days, you still don't like it, maybe you need to try a different variety of tea or adjust your sugar level.

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Re: Kombucha: Containers, Storage, Shipping & Supplies
« Reply #33 on: September 09, 2006, 04:55:26 PM » by jessyru

Just wanted to recommend a good ebay seller for Kombucha. The packaging and size of culture were EXCELLENT!! The seller is cewill30. I payed 10.98 altogether.

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Re: Kombucha: Containers, Storage, Shipping & Supplies
« Reply #34 on: September 09, 2006, 08:12:35 PM » by Nickole

Quote from: jessyru on September 09, 2006, 04:55:26 PM

Just wanted to recommend a good ebay seller for Kombucha. The packaging and size of culture were EXCELLENT!! The seller is cewill30. I payed 10.98 altogether.

Also - brinick12. $9.95 total.

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Re: Kombucha: Containers, Storage, Shipping & Supplies
« Reply #35 on: September 12, 2006, 04:30:31 PM » by natural

Quote from: healthybratt on September 09, 2006, 08:34:52 PM

Quote from: natural on September 08, 2006, 01:29:23 PM

Is my tea ruined? Is my SCOBY ruined?

I couldn't find anything that said to throw it out, but I would. Everything says to cover with cloth to prevent contamination from fruit flies. Based on this, I'd start over, but this is just my opinion. "When in doubt...throw it out" Huh

Since someone mentioned ebay....here is a tip...make sure you read more than one person's directions before starting. I bought my first SCOBY from ebay and the directions that came with it said to cover with cheese cloth to avoid vinegar flies, molds, etc. So I doubled up my cheese cloth and used it. Not good, I got those few flies. What I am wondering though is, is my tea ruined if the fly never had contact with it, it just landed on the SCOBY. I really don't like to throw things out, can you tell

Anyway just get a variety of directions before starting and use the majority

P.S. I really did't have too much doubt, ,,,until now. . . If you don't hear from me in a while come lookin' that means I didn't throw it out and I may be out of commission,,, for good Undecided

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Re: Kombucha: Containers, Storage, Shipping & Supplies
« Reply #36 on: September 20, 2006, 03:47:27 PM » by healthybratt

Quote from: musicmommy on September 20, 2006, 03:05:43 PM

Hi!

My kombucha has brewed for 10 days now and it's quite sweet but not as FIZZY as I like it to be. What should I do to make it FIZZIER??? Roll Eyes

Harvest it. Take the SCOBY out and bottle it (we use beer bottles and a capper for single servings and BALL jars and canning seals for family size servings). After about 2 or 3 days it should fizz up nicely. If this doesn't work, you might need to adjust your sugar and/or brewing time up or down.

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Re: Kombucha: Containers, Storage, Shipping & Supplies
« Reply #37 on: September 20, 2006, 05:54:48 PM » by musicmommy

Bottle it and leave it out, or in the fridge??

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Re: Kombucha: Containers, Storage, Shipping & Supplies
« Reply #38 on: September 21, 2006, 09:43:25 AM » by healthybratt

Quote from: musicmommy on September 20, 2006, 05:54:48 PM

Bottle it and leave it out, or in the fridge??

Out. The fridge slows down the bubbles.

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Re: Kombucha: Containers, Storage, Shipping & Supplies
« Reply #39 on: September 23, 2006, 07:08:09 PM » by mishy

I have huge kombuchas. They are 12 inches diameter and I have been brewing them in 4 qt glass bowls. I have made 2 batches (the scoby I got was this big already). I don't have any more 4 qt glass bowls and I can't find any more on this island. SO. What should I do to make smaller batches. Should I cut the scoby to fit the smaller container??? Or just throw the whole thing, scrunched up, in the smaller bowl?
Thanks!

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Re: Kombucha: Containers, Storage, Shipping & Supplies
« Reply #40 on: September 23, 2006, 07:16:18 PM » by amazonmama2five

HEY Mishy!
I have the exact same question! Isn't that funny? Grin

Next week I will FINALLY (cross my fingers Roll Eyes

) get to make two batches instead of just one! (all my friends want kombucha and beg and plead for me to "just give ME one and then make two NEXT time" Roll Eyes

) But I only have one bowl. I have pickle jars from the store that are maybe 3 quarts but my SCOBY would definitely be wadded up in there. I would like input on this also.
Lisa

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Re: Kombucha: Containers, Storage, Shipping & Supplies
« Reply #41 on: September 23, 2006, 07:57:54 PM » by mishy

Oooooh!!!! You guys all have to go to this webpage and read this!!! Cool cool. All the benefits of kombucha including topics we have chatted about!!!! You can use it for deodorant, for hair rinse, clean with it, soak your feet in it......

http://www.kombu.de/benefits.htm

Lisa, if you go onto this site, the jar pictured isn't a bowl, so there isn't as much surface area. I was thinking of using another glass baking dish I have that is 2qts. I guess I'll try the baby on it. I do get really good babies- I think because of the size of the scoby. I also let mine sit for 10 days. I'll have to get some pint jars to bottle it in and then let it sit out like hb recommended so we can get the FIZ.

We have pantries, but I guess now we need add "the fermenting cabinet" he he.

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Re: Kombucha: Containers, Storage, Shipping & Supplies
« Reply #42 on: September 23, 2006, 08:01:37 PM » by Nickole

Quote from: mishy on September 23, 2006, 07:08:09 PM

You can scrunch it in there or tear it in half, or I suppose even cut it in half (assuming the scissors are stainless steel). You can even cut/tear that one into fourths! I would prefer tearing.

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Re: Kombucha: Containers, Storage, Shipping & Supplies
« Reply #43 on: September 23, 2006, 08:07:14 PM » by amazonmama2five

Mishy,
I HAVE been on this site and NEVER SAW THIS PAGE! Thank you! My toenail has been drying and looking a lot clearer and I wasn't sure why. What do you know? Grin

I have two HUGE fever blisters from the fever Wed. (sinus infection) and tomorrow I am going to put part of my mama SCOBY on them as a poultice and see how that works. I'll let you know.
THANKS again.

Also this site is where I got my SCOBY from on the exchange page. They have international suppliers. The lady I got mine from also gave me kefir grains and mailed all to me FREE OF CHARGE! Talk about a blessing!

« Last Edit: September 23, 2006, 08:11:38 PM by amazonmama2five »
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Re: Kombucha: Containers, Storage, Shipping & Supplies
« Reply #44 on: September 25, 2006, 11:10:41 AM » by musicmommy

I let my bottled kombucha sit out for 3 days and it's still NOT FIZZY! What did I do wrong???

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Re: Kombucha: Containers, Storage, Shipping & Supplies
« Reply #45 on: September 25, 2006, 12:14:03 PM » by Gabriel Anast

If there is no air in the bottle, the Kombucha cannot ferment much more... if there is just a little air in the bottle the bottle can get very explosive... be careful. I usually leave about an inch and a half of air so that there is more compressible volume. You may also have to leave the bottles out a little longer, but three days should do it.

--gabe

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Re: Kombucha: Containers, Storage, Shipping & Supplies
« Reply #46 on: September 25, 2006, 01:21:16 PM » by healthybratt

Well, if the bottling doesn't do the trick, then I would gather it's your brewing. You might just have to play with this. Don't fret, some of my batches are so fizzy, they blow the cork off the bottle like champagne and others are more like day old pop. I increased my brewing time, but when you do this, you also need to up the food supply, so I increased my sugar as well. I went from 1 cup to 1 1/2 cup and from 7 days of brewing to 10 in 90 degree weather. If it's cooler, you might still have to go longer.

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Re: Kombucha: Containers, Storage, Shipping & Supplies
« Reply #47 on: November 09, 2006, 05:41:52 PM » by Hamama

I would love to know what size and kind of containers ya'll use to make your kombucha.
My first time I used a 1qt. measuring bowl. I used the stater recipe with vinegar that was suggested on this thread and this batch came out kinda vinegary. Shocked

The second batch I finally found a 1gal. jug from pickles. This time I just used a little stater from the first batch and it tastes great. Kiss

Both times I have made the kombucha with Garden of Life organic green tea and sugar. I have not had much luck finding the gallon size ice tea jugs without the plastic and rubber spouts. What is the biggest container you have used at one time? Can I use the 5gal. glass jug we used to make wine or is the hole too small? Huh

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Re: Kombucha: Containers, Storage, Shipping & Supplies
« Reply #48 on: November 09, 2006, 07:38:42 PM » by amazonmama2five

Bump. I have 5 liter wine jugs and would like to use them for my kombucha.

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Re: Kombucha: Containers, Storage, Shipping & Supplies
« Reply #49 on: November 11, 2006, 08:20:12 PM » by Hamama

What it the lagest amount you can brew at one time?

I have read everything from a glass pickle jar to tea jugs with the spout!
I would rather just use glass, but can't find the gallon jugs w/o the spout.
Can you use a wine brewing jug?

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Re: Kombucha: Containers, Storage, Shipping & Supplies
« Reply #50 on: November 11, 2006, 08:44:27 PM » by SC

I brew mine in gallon sized glass canisters. They look like something you could use as a cookie jar. They are cube shaped with a round wide mouth and a screw top metal lid. I leave the lid off for brewing and cover with cloth. Because the sides are square, they fit nicely next to each other on the shelf.

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Re: Kombucha: Containers, Storage, Shipping & Supplies
« Reply #51 on: November 20, 2006, 12:46:36 PM » by healthyinOhio

What is the best way to store your finished Kombucha if you do NOT want it to ferment?
We tried it both ways and liked the non co2 kind better. Thanks everyone!

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Re: Kombucha: Containers, Storage, Shipping & Supplies
« Reply #52 on: November 20, 2006, 01:06:28 PM » by healthybratt

Quote from: healthyinOhio on November 20, 2006, 12:46:36 PM

What is the best way to store your finished Kombucha if you do NOT want it to ferment?
We tried it both ways and liked the non co2 kind better. Thanks everyone!

Make sure you take the SCOBY out and put it in the fridge with a loose top to allow the co2 to escape. You won't get very many bubbles this way. Wink

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Re: Kombucha: Containers, Storage, Shipping & Supplies
« Reply #53 on: November 20, 2006, 05:45:42 PM » by daisey

This thread is really hilarious in places! Thanks for the laughs. Cheesy

I need to know if freezing affects the 'mother' I live in northern Minnesota and would like a 'mother' but with the temperatures the way they are right now I am wondering if I should wait until spring. Sad

I was really looking forward to trying this stuff. Any thoughts?
Thanks

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Re: Kombucha: Containers, Storage, Shipping & Supplies
« Reply #54 on: December 07, 2006, 02:22:46 PM » by boysmama

I am not sure where I should put my kombucha to brew... The dark,quiet kitchen cabinet I can put it in is 60*. I could put it in a box in the corner of our warmest room at 70* to 80* but who knows how many times a day it will get bumped and jostled Shocked

.

Which is the worst of the two? cold temp or the risk of being shaken? Need to decide before it is time to harvest this batch...

From what I can see w/ a flashlight it looks like my mother is side ways in the jar w/ a baby floating by it and another Huh

baby forming on the top in spite of the cooler temp. So I guess it is fine Huh

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Re: Kombucha: Containers, Storage, Shipping & Supplies
« Reply #55 on: December 13, 2006, 08:23:01 AM » by SarahK

Quote from: daisey on November 20, 2006, 05:45:42 PM

This thread is really hilarious in places! Thanks for the laughs. Cheesy

I was really looking forward to trying this stuff. Any thoughts?
Thanks

I just got one mailed USPS first class from Ohio to me in SE Minnesota - so I'll answer this one.

It took a while to get here because of the Christmas season. Daytime highs are now about 40, night time lows in the 20s. Mine was in the mail a week and got a little damage in St. Paul, so it leaked. But it still smells right & still had some starter left with the mushroom. I put it in my gallon jar w/tea & 24 hours later it smells yeasty in there - so I'm guessing that it gonna be fine.

If it was me, I would wait until after Christmas season to get one mailed to you and then go ahead and try it.

Sarah K

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Re: Kombucha: Containers, Storage, Shipping & Supplies
« Reply #56 on: December 13, 2006, 09:22:54 AM » by Dairae

[

Quote

Also - brinick12. $9.95 total.

Quote

I ordered from this gal on Ebay and it came so well wrapped I could hardly get it undone. This would be a safe place to get one. We in warm in Wisconsin so I don't know about freezing.

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Re: Kombucha: Containers, Storage, Shipping & Supplies
« Reply #57 on: December 13, 2006, 09:26:35 AM » by healthyinOhio

Well, I read in NT that you can freeze kefir grains for a few months without damaging its effects. So, I am thinking perhaps you could do the same with Kombucha. Once you get it going you usually have more babies than you know what to do with. Perhaps, we could all do a little experiment and see. I will try with one on my next batch, tomorrow.

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Re: Kombucha: Containers, Storage, Shipping & Supplies
« Reply #58 on: December 13, 2006, 10:04:09 AM » by wardermom

Sounds lilke a new Scoby is forming on the top, meaning, it's just fine. Since it's been 5 days, I would taste it. Ours takes about that long to be finished.

And yes, brinick12 is an awesome seller, I got mine from her 2.5 weeks ago, and I have so many scobies now it's crazy!

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Re: Kombucha: Containers, Storage, Shipping & Supplies
« Reply #59 on: December 13, 2006, 11:29:01 AM » by daisey

Hi all you Kombucha fans Cheesy

Just an update from Northern Minnesota~~~by the way there really is more Minnesota north of Minneapolis! Wink

Rebekah was kind enough to send me a shroom which I got right after Thanksgiving. Wink

Although she did package it very well we had some damage to the package also (maybe that is a Minnesota thing)~~it was actually funny because when my daughter went to clean the post office the gal told her we had a package and it really smelled bad. Cheesy

We are now on our second batch and the first one made the nicest Huh

(is that possible?) baby. I have a couple of people here that would like to start making their own so it may be a little while before I can experiment and try freeze one but that was an excellent idea.
Thank you to all who have written and offered to send my shrooms. As of right now I don't need one. Thanks to all who have posted these fun messages.

God Bless
Daisey

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