Kombucha
Articles and FAQs about Kombucha and how to make it.
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Can I use the scoby after the best before date?
The scoby has a Best Before date at the top - this is what we advise is best for first use by. When you bre...
Mel -
Why is my scoby a funny shape?
Your scoby will still be fermenting and won’t create the disc scoby that you're used to seeing until two or...
Kelsey -
How can I tell if mould is growing on my scoby?
Mould is usually green, blue, black, or white. Some people worry that the brown spots that can form on top ...
Kelsey -
I'm getting mould on my scoby. What caused it and how can I fix it?
Mould is picked up somewhere while you are making it. It would have come from somewhere within the process,...
Kelsey -
How do I manage a continuous kombucha brew?
A continuous kombucha brew is the most traditional way of fermenting kombucha. Follow the same brewing pro...
Kim -
I have a Mad Millie Kombucha Crock, what recipe should I use?
For your first batch follow the How to Guide for Kombucha and the How to Guide for the Kombucha Crock to ma...
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How do I scale up my kombucha batch?
To scale up to bigger volumes we recommend following the Mad Millie How to Guide for Kombucha and making 1 ...
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Can I make sugar free Kombucha?
Yes. During the fermentation process you must add sugar, however this is consumed by the scoby. If you let ...
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Is there something wrong if my scoby sinks?
No, it is completely normal for your scoby to sink, it will still work!
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How do I know if my kombucha is fermenting properly?
Look for the beginning of a new scoby forming on the top of the kombucha, this is the baby scoby and will l...
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How should I store my ferment?
Store your kombucha out of direct sunlight, between 24 – 30oC (75 – 86oF). If you are fermenting other food...
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What bottles should I second ferment my Kombucha in?
It’s important to second ferment in brewing bottles as the production of gas leads to higher pressure. We r...
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What can I add to my second ferment?
You can get as creative as you want! The best way to add flavour is to; Add some juice of your flavour pr...
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What is the second ferment for? Do I have to do it?
The second ferment is done in a sealed bottle to allow carbonation to develop. During the first ferment th...
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My kombucha isn’t fizzy, why not?
Your kombucha won’t be fizzy from the first ferment as the kombucha culture needs to breathe (have access t...
Kim -
My kombucha tastes like vinegar, what have I done wrong?
Nothing! Kombucha tends to have vinegar notes from the fermentation process. If you don’t want such strong ...
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What if my fermenting temperature is too low?
If your brew drops below 20oC (68oF) for an extended time it is more likely to develop mould and the brew w...
Kim -
What temperature should I store my Kombucha at during fermentation?
Keeping your brew between 24 – 30oC (75 – 86oF) is important as it maintains the perfect balance of yeast t...
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How long do I ferment kombucha for?
The first ferment time can vary from 8 to 25 days. We recommend tasting the kombucha from Day 8 using a cle...
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What type of tea do I need to make kombucha?
Plain black tea will give the best results, start with; English Breakfast Ceylon Darjeeling If you want t...
Kim -
Do I have to add the sugar to my kombucha?
Yes. Without the sugar the fermentation process doesn’t work. If you add less sugar this will starve the sc...
Kim -
What type of sugar do I need to make kombucha and how much?
See below, but for even more detailed information on Sugar and Kombucha, see our blog article. What type ...
Kim -
How do I store my kombucha scoby when not in use?
Store your kombucha scoby in 300 mL (10 US fl oz) of starter culture from your previous batch, in the refri...
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Is my kombucha scoby reusable? Can it be recultured?
Yes! During each ferment, the mother scoby (the one you added) will produce a baby scoby. Every scoby can b...
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Does Kombucha have alcohol in it?
During fermentation, alcohol is produced as a by-product. If you add the correct amount of sugar the alcoho...
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What is a SCOBY?
A Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast. The physical scoby is basically a house for all the good bacteri...
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What is Kombucha and what does it taste like?
Kombucha is a fermented tea made by combining a Mad Millie Kombucha Scoby (Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria an...
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