I’m *so* excited to share this tutorial! The hardest party about home-brewing kombucha is getting your hands on a SCOBY – it’s either too costly or too hard to find – and I think that’s what stops a lot of folks from getting in on the game. But this is really easy and it really works, which means homemade kombucha is accessible to all!
I’ve written about kombucha in the past, what it is and also how to brew it. I was an avid aficionado until I got pregnant, at which point I decided to play it ‘better safe than sorry’ and put my operation on hold. Unfortunately, during my ten month hiatus my poor SCOBY went kaput!
Now wee Waits is here and I’m ready to re-enter the kombucha arena. I missed it! I missed the DIY satisfaction of it, the mad scientist aspect of it, and the probiotic action of it. That enigmatic elixir does my body good, and I wants it! So here’s what I did :
1. Buy a bottle of RAW, unpasteurized 100% kombucha (no fruit juice added). You will also need – a glass bowl, caffeinated (green or black) tea, sugar, a small towel or wash cloth, a large rubber band, and a glass jar with a plastic lid.
2. In a large, clean glass bowl, place 2 tea bags and 1 tbsp of sugar. Add 2 cups boiling water and allow the tea to steep for 10 minutes.
3. Remove tea bags and stir to make sure sugar is dissolved. Allow to cool a bit, then add the entire bottle of store bought kombucha.
4. Cover with the towel and secure it with the rubber band. Place the bowl in a warm dry place (I put it on top of my fridge) and forget about it for 2 whole weeks. No peeking!
— 2 weeks later —
Take the bowl down and uncover it. OMG, you totally grew a SCOBY!
Store your SCOBY in the fridge, in a clean glass jar with a plastic lid and floating in the extra liquid. Brew kombucha according to these directions. ***Always handle the SCOBY with very clean hands!!!
Good luck!
Courtney
May 6, 2010
This. Is. AWESOME! I was hoping there was a way to grow a SCOBY from store-bought kombucha. Right now we don’t have the space for me to brew, but that will hopefully be changing soon. Between container gardening and brewing my own kombucha, I’ll be in heaven! Thank you!!!
Crystal
May 7, 2010
^ I agree!!! You are a genius Sayward 
I’m so excited to do this I think I might just have to scream!!!! My husband and I were JUST talking about brewing our own yesterday and I can’t wait to show him this, thank you so much!!
Carlie
May 7, 2010
I need to grow another one since I killed my last. *sniff sniff* I actually have a bottle of that ‘bucha in the fridge waiting for me to get to it. Iced kombucha sounds like the perfect way to start summer!
Good reminder to see your post here!
Minna
May 7, 2010
This whole kombucha thing is totally new to me. I just read through the overview on Wikipedia and I noticed that in Russia they call it “tea kvass” which is a bit different from the traditional kvass usually made from rye with roots back to 5000 years. Have you ever tried that?
It’s quite a traditional drink in Estonia as well, resembles just a liiitle bit of coke, but is without a doubt healthier and more natural. It’s usually up to 1% alcohol. I wonder if it tastes the same as kombucha?
So you’re convinced that it actually has health benefits? I’m not all to sure about acidic foods and drinks right now (still needs more research), but I love kvass so I’d probably enjoy kombucha as well. How about the candida content in kombucha? Isn’t that bad?
Hope Hughes
May 7, 2010
I LOVE this stuff! I’ll definitely have to try this! *Must release the mad scientist in me!! Bwahahahaha!*
amber
May 7, 2010
score! i had considered ordering a scoby from etsy, since there was a seller in my state. however, this is even cheaper, easier, and faster! THANKS!
Amanda
May 7, 2010
This entry is RAD! Glad you’re back and loving the pictures of your wee one! He’s adorable!
sarah
May 7, 2010
Holy crap!!! I am so freakin excited about this! I’ve looked multiple times at buying a SCOBY (found online) but couldn’t bring myself to spend $20 or more. I AM SO DOING THIS. What a great re-entry post! You are awesome!
Eric Normand
May 7, 2010
Sayward!
I wrote about this on my blog. I’ve been doing Yerba Mate kombucha for a while now. It was from store-bought kombucha, too!
http://www.renegadeyogi.com/better-living/kombucha-experiment/
Rebecca
May 7, 2010
Gotta love accessible DIY…yet, and I know many “natural” folks would disagree with me on this..but I have to say that I honestly cannot STAND kombucha. The odd thing is is that I LOVE vinegar..but kombucha to me is icky..plus what is your feeling on the sugar involved? Do you figure it is all “eaten” up by the process and then not so bad for ya? I have mixed feelings on sugar/fermentation and if it “burns off” so to speak…
Sayward
May 8, 2010
@ Courtney – Yay! So glad you like it. And hooray for container gardens + kombucha. A diy urban homemakers heaven!
@ Crystal – Don’t scream! Haha, but really, I’m so thrilled that you (and everyone!) are so into this. Kombucha for all! Let me know how it goes when you try it, yes?
@ Carlie – Mmmm yes, icy kombucha is so nice for summer midmorning treats. =) Happy brewing!
@ Minna – I’ve never tried kvass but I’ve heard a lot about it. I’ve mostly heard of the beet variety, and I’d love to try my hand at brewing it!
I definitely believe that it’s healthful! Mostly because of the probiotics. From what I understand it’s full of the good bacteria that help to balance the gut flora, and actually keep candida overgrowth in check. Also, although kombucha is acidic, it’s an alkalanizing food because of the way it’s digested/metabolized. It’s like lemons in that way (both kombucha and lemons are big in the raw food/alkaline scene)
If you’re interested you can read more about that here.
@ Hope Hughes – Yes! Go mad scientist in the kitchen laboratory, muahaha!
@ Amber – Yup, much cheaper and much faster. Happy brewing – luck!
@ Amanda – Glad you like it, and thanks!
@ sarah – Yay! I’m so glad people are so excited about this, and I’m so happy that people are going to be brewing their own stuff. I agree, buying a SCOBY always seems so pricy and ‘pita’. DIY forever!!!
@ Eric Normand – Awesome, good to know others are already on this. I’ve never tried brewing with mate, it’s good to know that works. Thanks!
@ Rebecca – I do think that the vast majority is consumed in the process (it’s what feeds the bacteria/yeast), and I feel like even with a little sugar, the benefits make it totally worth it.
I understand it’s a tough taste to get used to. Have you tried mixing it with juice, maybe in a really diluted ratio?
Jen
May 23, 2010
I have a question- I did this using regular tap water and then I read somewhere it has to be distilled! 
It’s on my fridge right now but doesn’t look like it’s doing anything. I made it on Wednesday. Do you think it will actually grow? Thanks so much!
Sayward
May 26, 2010
@ Jen – As long as you boiled the water to make the tea, it will take care of impurities and you don’t need to use distilled. Boiled tap water is fine.
It takes 2 weeks! Don’t worry about it. ”A watched SCOBY never grows” =D Just forget about it entirely for a few weeks!
linda
August 11, 2010
Just wanted to say thanks….found this blog two weeks ago, me and daughter tried it, and yes we have a scoby! we made a small one in a quart mason jar and my daughter and i just started our first batch of tea last night. kudos!
15 Comments to How To Grow A 'Mother'/SCOBY From Store Bought Kombucha