Discover the thrill of brewing your own kombucha at home! This fermented tea drink has gained popularity for its unique taste and potential health benefits. With this easy-to-follow recipe, you'll be able to craft a customized kombucha that suits your palate, from the level of sweetness to the flavorings. Say goodbye to expensive store-bought bottles and hello to a fun, cost-effective, and rewarding DIY brewing experience.

Step 1 Make the Sweet Tea:

• Bring 1 gallon of water to a boil. Add 1 cup of organic raw sugar and stir until dissolved. Remove from heat.
• Steep the tea, add 12 black tea bags to the sweet tea and let steep for 5-10 minutes, then remove the tea bags.
• Cool the tea, allow the tea to cool down to 68-85°F (20-30°C). This step is crucial, as boiling water can harm the SCOBY.

Step 2 Add the SCOBY

• Add 1 bottle of GT's Original Organic & Raw Kombucha.
• Once the tea has cooled, gently place the SCOBY into the liquid. Cover the container with cheesecloth or cotton hand towel, securing it with a rubber band.
• Ferment the Kombucha: Place the container in a dark, warm place, maintaining a temperature of 68-75°F (20-24°C). Allow the kombucha to ferment for 8-10 days. You can start tasting the kombucha after 8 days. The longer it ferments, the sourer it will become as the SCOBY consumes the sugar.

Step 3 Bottling and Flavoring (Optional)

• After the fermentation period, remove the SCOBY and place it in a separate container to start a new batch. If desired, flavor the kombucha with homemade juice. To do this, fill a bottle about 1/4 of the way with homemade juice, then top it off with kombucha. Secure the bottles tightly.
• Secondary Fermentation (Optional): Place the flavored bottles in the same dark, warm environment as before. Allow them to undergo a secondary fermentation for 3-5 days. This step enhances carbonation, but be cautious not to exceed 5 days, as over-carbonation can lead to bottle explosion.
• Storage: Once the kombucha has reached the desired level of carbonation, store it in the refrigerator to slow down fermentation. This will halt carbonation and allow the kombucha to be stored for several weeks.

Step 3 Add-On Homemade Juice Recipe (Optional):

• 1 cup frozen organic strawberries 10 oz (I used blueberries, raspberries, and mixed berries)
• 3 cups water
• 1/4 cup sugar (or less, to taste)
• Make the Juice: Combine the frozen strawberries, water, and sugar in a pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the sugar is dissolved and the strawberries have broken down.
• Cool and Use: Allow the juice to cool before using it to flavor the kombucha.