Kombucha
1 gallon of water (distilled not tap)
3/4 cup sugar (raw is best, but white will do)
4-8 tea bags (any variety, I use green tea)
1/2 to 1 cup of kombucha
1 kombucha mother or scoby (this is the culture)
Dissolve sugar in water over low to medium heat, add tea bags and steep to desired strength, remove tea bags. Totally cool then add kombucha and scoby (from a previous batch or get some from a friend if this is your first batch). Place in a large glass container or jar. I cut this recipe in half a lot, as we just don't go through it quickly enough.
Cover with a tea towel and let sit for 5-10 days on the counter. The longer it sits the stronger it gets. I prefer mine around day 5. All you do is pour off 90% of the liquid through a strainer and put it in the fridge. Saving the remaining 10% of liquid and the scoby to start another batch. If you don't want to start another batch right away it can sit (as long as there is enough liquid left) for a long time.
Couple things to take note of :)
*even though it has been put in the fridge the kombucha will start to form mini scoby's after time and become stronger or more vinegary tasting. Not bad by any means you just want to strain it before drinking and may not like the flavor as it gets stronger.
*the mother scoby will continue to form "daughter" scoby's. They kind of look like pancakes stacked on each other. They start off thin but get thicker. These you can either leave in the jar or take out with some of the kombucha to give to a friend so they can start their own. :) Although these look delicate they are NOT, it takes a knife to cut them in half. So no need to be delicate with them :)
*if your scoby starts to mold it is garbage. I have never had mine mold (only dry out after being left alone for many months) but if it does get mold on it toss it and you need another one. The scoby's will gets stains on them from the tea not to be confused with mold.
I understand this looks very gross to most people, but it does taste yummy, we love to grate some fresh ginger into ours, tastes like ginger ale. It is a carbonated drink also, so it can take the place of pop for those who love pop/soda.
If you would like to obtain a scoby and some kombucha to start your own batch, let me know and I can get it to you :)
Shanda
