The Easiest way to Make Kombucha | From First Brew to Bottling, Flavoring, and the Second Ferment

So I have been brewing KT for almost a decade and here are some tips/clarifications: 1-distilled water is not necessarily good for your tea-it has valuable minerals removed. Chlorine is definitely BAD for your tea- so either filter your water with a filter that removes chlorine or leave your water out on the counter for 12-24 hours to offgas the chlorine. 2-Do NOT put hot tea into tan existing continuous brew vessel-it will kill the SCOBY. Your tea should be no warmer that body temp/lukewarm. The way you did it was fine, because you added the SCOBY to the cooled liquid, but don't do this to refill the vessel. I also brew a condensed version of the tea and add water to it-great idea. You can add ice cubes to it, but they need to be from chlorine free water. 3-Chickens LOVE SCOBYs! I cut mine apart with kitchen shears so they don't fight over it. 4-Refrigeration slows fermentation but it does not completely stop it. LOVE your videos. I have spent all weekend watching your videos from when you started. I only have a few left to go. I follow a LOT of YouTubers and have only done this a few times-which speaks volumes to the quality of your videos. Thank you!!!

Whenever I let my brew get too tart I use it for cleaning vinegar, share it with my dog and chickens or make a scented hair rinse with it. It also still works for starting a new batch. Waste not want not!👵

For anybody looking to get started doing continuous brew without much cost - you can brew in a glass sun tea jar with a spigot (mine were $5 each). And while you DO need starter kombucha, you don’t actually need a SCOBY since it’s just a byproduct of brewing kombucha. Pour a bottle of the plainest kombucha you can find at the grocery store (I use GT’s “original”) into your vessel. Fill it the rest of the way with your cooled sweet tea. Cover with something that will let it breathe (I like coffee filters so I can write details like what kind of tea I used and the date I started the batch directly on it) and rubber band in place. By the time that first batch is ready it will have grown a SCOBY. As far as bottles, if you drink store bought kombucha, start saving the bottles to reuse, or ask friends to save theirs for you. Kombucha seems intimidating- like canning, using a pressure cooker, or making fermented vegetables- until you’ve done it enough to realize it’s pretty easy if you follow the basics. =) Btw- organic jasmine green makes a really nice kombucha.

Wow, you Girlies are great together! Such a clear and focused presentation on a complex brew. It helped me integrate some things about the brew that will improve my process. I have been drinking this brew since the 90’s when it was called Manchurian Tea. I am now 68 yrs. and still don’t have gray hair! It’s truly a gift from Creator God....🙏🏼 Thank you for ALL your great videos- I love them all.

You gals are super cute!! As a momma of three I totally was like heck YES when your sister said “ we are drinking this on the patio” and you were caught off gaurd and said “we are drinking this on the patio” lol!! if she is kid free for a few hours she is definitely in need of some good drinks, sunshine and girl time lol!!!

Becky, I just discovered your channel about 2 weeks ago and definitely have been binge watching. I love your video style! Anyway, I just wanted to say that I’m impressed how well you both do in front of the camera. It feels very professional. Good job, ladies!

Garden Tip: SCOBY can be used in the garden! Blend it or cut it up and bury in the soil during the flowering stage. My tomato and pepper plants go cuhrazyyy when I add SCOBY🥰. Super helpful when you’re up to your ears in SCOBY. Thanks for sharing!!😍

Becky, you have no idea how good your videos are to me! They motivate me to work around the house with that very grounded tone, no crazy songs or perfectionism. As soon as the weather starts to warm again in Brazil, I'll start my own kombucha on this method. :)

You and your sister are both natural teachers! Well done. 👍👍

You’d be so proud, I just did a bunch of freezer meals just like your other video taught, I’m learning so much from you, and now this video has me wanted to try making kombucha, you and your family are wonderful teachers, I just love your videos!❤️

I had no idea about the second ferment ! I’ve been making kombucha for a couple of years now from a scobie my MIL gave me . I have those flip top bottles so I will try this out ! Thanks for the tip !

Would love to see a follow up on using the continuous brew and refilling it. I have been loving your videos!

Months ago I told my husband and son that if they wanted to get me something for Christmas an Excalibur dehydrator would be wonderful. What did I get for Christmas? Yep! I am so excited! Right before Christmas my husband set up a grow light for me on the dining room table. Heck yes! I had gotten "arm-pit" tomatoes off of a volunteer before the frost hit, and the two that survived until he built the light are doing AMAZING! As a new year project for my son and I (we both love kombucha) I ordered a kit and the continuous system. Tomorrow is the day when we will kick it into action. Thank you so much for your informative and entertaining videos. I ended summer doing freezer meals with you. I am a teacher, so it has been so helpful. I saw your video where you talked about making some that were more healthy. I cannot wait to follow you with this! Oh ya, the first homesteader I followed was Homesteading Family with Carolyn and Josh. The homesteader who taught me the most about tomatoes (and we LOVE tomatoes) was Jess from Roots and Refuge. I love the fact that you follow and/or they follow you! You are amongst the best, girlfriend! I am so proud of you! You ROCK!!!

Yes! More sister collabs! This was so great and I love yalls dynamic!!

I do a continuous brew as well. It’s the best way in my opinion. I bought flip tops specifically for beer and kombucha on Amazon and they work great. I flavor with organic berry juice.

Becky I love all your videos! I also used to love making combucha but it simply took too much time. Heating the water, waiting till the tea was strong enough, cooling it down... etc. I switched to waterkefir and love it. Just as combucha it is a carbinzed probiotic drink. You basically mix (cold) water with sugar, add the culture and that's it. Within 2 days your brew is finished. You can add fruit and herbs in the first fermentation or in the second. I love mine with lime or grapefrute and star anise. I just slice up the limes or grapefrutes, use two slices in a one liter batch and put the others slices in the fridge. If the ferment is finished after two days (winter 4 days) I refill and take two new slices out of the fridge. Super easy, hardly any work and plenty of fresh waterkefir. Maybe some people like to try :).

I use organic tea bags for 2F. Blueberry, blackberry, strawberry. So many flavor options!!!

You girls are brilliant, natural teachers! Absolutely LOVED this episode. I’ve always wanted to make kombucha and you guys have just taught me from scratch. Thank you 😍

Neat system! I recently started making kombucha again - i think I'm on my 4th batch, just using a couple big jars on the counter. I started by making a starter scoby from store bought kombucha. So far I've used raspberries & blueberries for 2nd ferments. Now i need to try grape juice and ginger! Yum! I don't go through it very quickly so it doesn't take much time... a new batch once every couple weeks just takes maybe 15 minutes not including tea cooling time. Anyway, enjoying your videos!!

Thanks ladies! Very helpful!