Kombucha is a delicious, tangy, and naturally fizzy fermented tea that’s packed with probiotics and health benefits. But to keep your kombucha happy and healthy, you’ll need to give it a bit of TLC. Whether you’re a first-timer or someone who’s had a SCOBY hotel on the shelf for months, this guide walks you through all the necessary steps to brew, care for, and store your kombucha with confidence.

1. Understand the Basics

What is kombucha?
Kombucha is made by fermenting sweetened tea with a SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture Of Bacteria and Yeast). The SCOBY eats the sugar and transforms the tea into a tangy, slightly fizzy drink.

2. Use Clean, Non-Metal Equipment

Before you even start, make sure all your tools—jar, cloth, spoon, etc.—are thoroughly clean and free of soap residue. Avoid using metal for anything that will touch the SCOBY, as it can react with the acidic brew and harm your culture.

3. Brew the Sweet Tea Base

Use black tea, green tea, or a blend (avoid herbal teas with oils, like mint or chamomile). Combine the following:

• 1 liter (1 quart) of filtered water

• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) loose-leaf tea or 2 tea bags

• 50–100 grams (¼–½ cup) of white sugar

Let it steep, remove the tea, and cool it completely before adding to your fermentation jar.

4. Add Your SCOBY and Starter Tea

Once your tea is room temperature, pour it into a wide-mouth glass jar. Add:

• 1 SCOBY

• 100–200 ml (½–1 cup) of previously brewed kombucha (as a starter tea)

Cover the jar with a breathable cloth (like a coffee filter or cheesecloth) secured with a rubber band.

5. Let It Ferment

Place your jar in a dark, warm place (21–29°C / 70–85°F) away from direct sunlight. Let it ferment for 7 to 14 days, depending on your taste preference—shorter for sweeter, longer for more tangy.

Taste it using a clean straw after day 7. When it tastes right to you, it’s ready!

6. Bottle and Flavor (Optional)

Carefully remove the SCOBY and 1 cup of the kombucha to save for your next batch. Then, you can bottle the rest:

• Pour into clean, sealable glass bottles

• Add optional flavors (like ginger, berries, or herbs)

• Seal and let it sit at room temperature for 2–5 more days to build fizz (this is called second fermentation)

Refrigerate to stop fermentation when it’s fizzy enough for you.

7. Store and Maintain Your SCOBY

Don’t toss your SCOBY! Place it in a clean jar with a bit of kombucha (your “starter tea”) and cover it with a breathable cloth. This is your SCOBY hotel. Feed it fresh tea every few weeks if you’re not brewing regularly.

8. Troubleshooting & Tips

• Mold looks dry and fuzzy (black, green, or white)—discard everything and start over

• SCOBY is floating/sinking/tilting—totally normal

• Your kombucha smells like vinegar? That’s a good sign—just taste it to see if it’s too sour

• Avoid using flavored or oil-containing teas—they can harm the SCOBY

Final Thoughts

Taking care of your kombucha is a bit like tending to a houseplant—it doesn’t need much, just consistency, cleanliness, and the right environment. With a little attention, you’ll have a continuous supply of refreshing, probiotic-rich kombucha to enjoy and share!