Can You Make Kombucha from Bottled Kombucha?

If you've ever wondered if you can turn store-bought kombucha into a thriving culture for making your own homemade kombucha, this article is for you. Learn about the conditions needed for a kombucha SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast) to grow and the limitations of using bottled kombucha for this purpose.

Understanding the Kombucha SCOBY

Producing kombucha from a store-bought variety is possible but requires careful selection of the bottle. To ensure that your botched kombucha contains a viable SCOBY, it's essential to choose a bottle with the simplest ingredients, typically just tea and culture.

Begin by pouring the contents of your chosen bottle into a container and covering it with a paper towel. Let it sit at room temperature for a couple of weeks. If after two weeks a thick, solid, ivory-colored mass forms on the surface without any fuzzy mold, congratulations! You now have a viable culture ready for further batches of kombucha.

Direct Use of Bottled Kombucha for SCOBY

Yes, it is possible to use some store-bought kombucha to grow a new SCOBY, but it's not always successful. Due to the pasteurization and filtration processes, many store-bought kombucha bottles lack the necessary yeast culture to initiate a new SCOBY. Thus, buying enough bottles to create a good starting culture can be time-consuming and not always effective.

However, some stores sell starter kits that can be used to grow new SCOBYs. If you choose this route, it's recommended that you still opt for raw kombucha to increase your chances of success. Additionally, it's worth noting that online stores often offer ready-to-use SCOBYs, which simplifies the process significantly.

Conditions for SCOBY Growth

To make kombucha successfully from a SCOBY in a bottle, ensure the kombucha is natural and not pasteurized or filtered. A common misunderstanding is that pasteurizing and filtering can strip away the necessary culture. Therefore, checking the label for these terms is crucial.

If you're starting with a raw kombucha, mix it with black tea and sugar in a 50/50 ratio. Ensure the tea cools to room temperature before covering the mixture with a cheesecloth or towel. After a week or two, if a thin, rubbery, wet film forms on top, you have successfully cultivated a new SCOBY. This process can be quicker and more effective than relying on the existing culture in store-bought bottles.

Conclusion

While it's possible to make your own kombucha from store-bought varieties, success largely depends on the specific bottle's contents. To maximize your chances of growing a viable SCOBY, opt for raw kombucha with simple ingredients. If you're seeking a quicker, more reliable method, consider purchasing or obtaining a ready-to-use SCOBY online. Enjoy the rewarding process of making your own kombucha!