How to make a SCOBY

SCOBY stands for Symbiotic Culture of friendly Bacteria and Yeast.  I have read different opinions  from different bloggers.  Some say not to bother growing your own SCOBY, while others say "It's so easy."

I went with Raw Dakota Kitchen: How to Grow Your Own SCOBY.  
It really was easy.
From Heather @ Raw Dakota Kitchen

How to grow a SCOBY:

1 bottle of store bought kombucha (GT Original is what I used)

2 organic tea bags (1 green, 1 black)

2 cups hot boiling water

1T organic white cane sugar**

Use really clean hands :)

I used a wide mouth quart jar to do this. Steep tea bags AND dissolve sugar in boiling water, placing all in quart jar.  Allow to steep until water is room temp or overnight, which works best.  Once cool, remove tea bags and add the entire bottle of store bought kombucha.  (Make sure it's cool; the heat can kill the SCOBY and the kombucha) Cover with a thin towel and put someplace where it won't be disturbed for about 2 -4 weeks.  I put mine on top of the fridge.  You want your SCOBY to be about 1/4 in thick before you start brewing your tea.

Heather says: **You really should use old fashion white sugar, organic if possible. White sugar is the most easily digestible for the SCOBY and it gives the highest amount of glucuronic acid, which is your goal.   Don't worry about consuming it; the SCOBY will eat it up!  

 

*I used 2 tablespoons of sugar for good measure*

My SCOBY is almost 2 weeks old at the moment.  Once I have a few free moments (maybe this weekend) I'm going to start brewing my own Kombucha.

What is Kombucha?

From Food Renegade,  "The beverage the ancient Chinese called the “Immortal Health Elixir?” It’s been around for more than 2,000 years and has a rich anecdotal history of health benefits like preventing and fighting cancer, arthritis, and other degenerative diseases. Made from sweetened tea that’s been fermented by a symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast (a SCOBY, a.k.a. “mother” because of its ability to reproduce, or “mushroom” because of its appearance), Kombucha didn’t gain prominence in the West until recently."

The potential health benefits include: Detoxification, Joint Health, Improves digestions, Reduces inflammation and Boosts Immune system.

You can find related articles here:
http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/nutrition/healthy-eating/the-health-benefits-of-kombucha-tea.html

http://www.foodrenegade.com/kombucha-health-benefits/

http://www.kombuchacultures.com/kombucha_health_benefits.html

Joyce over at It's Your Life is also brewing her own Kombucha.  

Check out her SCOBY!