Homemade Kombucha

1. Bring water to a boil in a large pot. Once boiling, remove from heat and stir in sugar, then add tea bags.

2. Allow the tea to cool to room temperature, 2 to 3 hours. Remove the tea bags, then pour the tea into a 1-gallon glass jar. Gently pour scoby and starter kombucha into the jar.

3. Cover the jar with a paper towel or clean tea towel and affix it with a rubber band. Place the jar in a warm (the ideal temperature is 75 degrees F), dark location until it is tangy and fruity, about 8 days. Avoid cool locations, which can lead to mold. Note: During fermenting, the scoby may float on top or sink to the bottom and, after a few days, a new scoby layer will form.

4. After 8 days, taste the kombucha for doneness. If it tastes sweeter than you prefer, allow the kombucha to ferment for another day or two. If necessary, continue tasting for up to 14 days until the desired flavor is reached.

5. When the kombucha is done, remove the scoby and place it in sealable container with 1 cup of the kombucha to store. (Store it, refrigerated, for up to 2 weeks until you're ready to make the next batch of kombucha. If, over time, the scoby grows several layers thick, remove a layer and discard it, or share it with a friend.)

6. Pour the kombucha through a fine-mesh strainer into a pitcher or large measuring cup(s) to filter out any sediment. Using a funnel, pour the kombucha into sealable glass bottles.

7. Close the bottles and return them to the warm, dark storage location until carbonated, 1 to 2 weeks.

Equipment

1-gallon glass jar, paper towel or clean tea towel, rubber band, funnel, fine-mesh strainer, sealable glass bottles

Tip

Kombucha scoby is widely available online. Starter kombucha is simply kombucha from a previous batch. If this is your first time making kombucha, starter kombucha will be included with your purchased scoby.

To make ahead

Refrigerate kombucha for up to 2 weeks.