Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I've been reading about the fascinating discoveries regarding the human biome and the extreme importance of the bacteria that populate, especially our GI tract. In my reading, I considered ways to approach strengthening my immune system and internal health and it was here I first learned about Kombucha. Fortunately, our local grocery store was beginning to sell it and I became a regular purchaser. As delicious and health infusing as it was, it also was becoming a noticeable expense at over $100 a month in additional grocery bills for just one item. I watched some videos about making your own Kombucha and coincidently, about that time, Amazon offered this Kit in their Deals at half off. I thought, well, that price represents just 6 bottles of my grocery store purchases and less than just one batch of making my own, so let's give it a try. The Kit has everything you need minus the large glass fermentation container, which I picked up at a local housewares store. The overall process is incredibly simple, though, the first time you try anything new, even a simple recipe, there's some uncertainty and apprehension that you're doing it all wrong and might not get the desired results. Basically, the Kit contains a generous supply of loose tea for brewing multiple batches. organic cane sugar, one SCOBY suspended in about a cup of fermented Kombucha that serves as a kick starter, several fabric covers along with very large green rubber bands to secure the covers to the top of your fermentation jar. There's also, of course the simple instruction and the nice addition of a sticker you can put on your fermentation jar. While, you might want to view some of the many available videos on the web, the process is incredibly simple. Heat a quantity of hot water in a very clean stainless steel pot. I've been making about one and a half gallon batches. After the water comes to a boil, remove it from the heat and put in your tea; about 2 tablespoons for my quantity of water.The Kit does supply small burlap type pouches to contain the loose tea, but I quickly opted for a large steel ball container I bought separately on Amazon as well. Brew for 10-12 minutes and remove he tea. Slowly stir in one cup of the supplied Cane Sugar. The sugar isn't to make sweet tea, but will be the food the bacteria will consume as they multiply and produce the fermentation. Allow the mixture to fall to room temperature. To hasten this, I fill a larger pan with water and ice cubes and place the pot in that. A folding cooking thermometer lets me see when the temperature is around 75 degrees. Transfer the tea into your glass fermentation jar and add the supplied SCOBY along with the starter Kombucha. SCOBY or the "mushroom" is a strange looking and feeling solid that's actually a living community. The acronym stands for Symbiotic Community Of Bacteria and Yeast. The SCOBY will probably float to the top, but if it sinks, not to worry. Cover the jar with your supplied cloths and secure them with the rubber bands. That's it for now. Over a 10 day period an amazing transormation happens. The tea becomes a lighter shade color, and a white skim forms and thickens on the surface. This is another SCOBY that's formed. The Kt contains acid test paper strips to determine the desired acidity, but a simpler method is just to taste the tea to determine the desired taste. Left to ferment too long, perhaps 30 days and you'll have a jar of vinegar. You may notice that carbonation may or may not have already occurred. Transfer the Kombucha into individual bottles now for a secondary fermentation and storage. Since these smaller bottles will be sealed and gas cannot escape, you should obtain additional carbonation to equal what you buy commercially. Of course, you first remove the original SCOBY and also its new daughter. Put them aside in a container to be used again for your next brew. You might want to get a storage pan or jar to store all the scobys as you will accumulate a new one with every batch. This container is sometimes called your Scoby hotel. Allow the individual containers to ferment a few days, or drink them immediately, as you desire. Save a cup or so of Kombucha to serve as your next starter. That's all there is to it. Do you need to buy this Kit? Well, you could buy just a Scoby and purchase the other ingredients seperately. But, having them all there in front of you is reassuring until you have a few batches under your belt and feel more knowledgeable and confident. The Gallon and a half plus that I make each batch makes about 9, 16 ounces of brew. So by your second batch, you will have more than paid for your kit as opposed to purchasing the finished product. As a side note, there are sever great storage bottles available to purchase online. My favorite is Practico Kitchen 18 oz. bottles. They have an appealing design and great stainless steel tops. At the time of this review they sell on sale for $20 for 6. I bought 3 sets. I hope this was helpful. I can highly recommend this Kit for your first time purchase and brew. I actually bought a second kit because I have been producing so much Kombucha and giving it to friends, though since you'll be knee deep in Scobys after a few months that I really only needed the original purchase. Highly recommended. I encourage any person hesitant to give this a try not be hesitate longer. It's very easy, produces high quality Kombucha, and must admit, it's just plain fun as well! (Incidentally, I have no connection to this company or received any incentive or compensation for my enthusiastic review!)