Guest guest Posted July 4, 2007 Report Share Posted July 4, 2007 Hello everyone! I am new to this group and have only been brewing KT a few weeks. However, i have been advised to wash my utensils, containers and my hands with distilled vinegar to remove any mold or spores that may be lingering around. So, far, my brews have been turning out fine. I hope this is a helpful tip. ine. Bill Fieszel <ffieszel@...> wrote: Evening Roussin did extensive test of Kombucha ferments in the mid 1990s and published his findings in " Analyses of Kombucha Ferments " .. On the subject of mold he writes: " Molds are generally the result of unclean fermenting containers, utensils, or hands. While it is possible to introduce airborne molds, the number of spores necessary to overtake a properly inoculated ferment is more than will generally be provided solely by airborne contamination. Still, if spore counts are high and the sugar and tea solution is allowed to sit for more than eight hours, contamination is a possibility. Aspergillus and Penicillium have been found to grow in sugar concentrations up to 67.5 percent. Acidification to a pH of 3.0 prevented the growth of either mold. These two molds, and Mucor, grow on walls, fermenting vessels, utensils, and counters and are kept to a minimum by adequate cleansing of the counters and fermenting tools. These molds produce glucosidase which attacks the glucose end of the sucrose molecule during fermentation. " Depending on how you cooled your sweet tea this could be the cause of your mold problem. Why only 2 of your three batches is any ones guess. To make my sweet tea I heat about 1/4 of the desired liquid,steep my tea, add the sugar. I then add about a tray of ice cubes and the remaining cool water. You might want to give this method a try. Bill >I am new at this and I brewed three batches on Saturday and when I just >now peeked at them I have two batches with mold. These were the last >two batches to be covered and stored for brewing. I did let these two >scobies (sp?) set on the counter uncovered while the tea was cooling >(not good) and then my husband came in the kitchen and started juicing >carrots and apples (probably not good either, huh?). Do you think any >of these things contributed to the mold? I am brewing in a bonus room >that stays around 85 degrees. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 4, 2007 Report Share Posted July 4, 2007 Hello everyone! I am new to this group and have only been brewing KT a few weeks. However, i have been advised to wash my utensils, containers and my hands with distilled vinegar to remove any mold or spores that may be lingering around. So, far, my brews have been turning out fine. I hope this is a helpful tip. ine. Bill Fieszel <ffieszel@...> wrote: Evening Roussin did extensive test of Kombucha ferments in the mid 1990s and published his findings in " Analyses of Kombucha Ferments " .. On the subject of mold he writes: " Molds are generally the result of unclean fermenting containers, utensils, or hands. While it is possible to introduce airborne molds, the number of spores necessary to overtake a properly inoculated ferment is more than will generally be provided solely by airborne contamination. Still, if spore counts are high and the sugar and tea solution is allowed to sit for more than eight hours, contamination is a possibility. Aspergillus and Penicillium have been found to grow in sugar concentrations up to 67.5 percent. Acidification to a pH of 3.0 prevented the growth of either mold. These two molds, and Mucor, grow on walls, fermenting vessels, utensils, and counters and are kept to a minimum by adequate cleansing of the counters and fermenting tools. These molds produce glucosidase which attacks the glucose end of the sucrose molecule during fermentation. " Depending on how you cooled your sweet tea this could be the cause of your mold problem. Why only 2 of your three batches is any ones guess. To make my sweet tea I heat about 1/4 of the desired liquid,steep my tea, add the sugar. I then add about a tray of ice cubes and the remaining cool water. You might want to give this method a try. Bill >I am new at this and I brewed three batches on Saturday and when I just >now peeked at them I have two batches with mold. These were the last >two batches to be covered and stored for brewing. I did let these two >scobies (sp?) set on the counter uncovered while the tea was cooling >(not good) and then my husband came in the kitchen and started juicing >carrots and apples (probably not good either, huh?). Do you think any >of these things contributed to the mold? I am brewing in a bonus room >that stays around 85 degrees. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 7, 2007 Report Share Posted August 7, 2007 Always pour your starter, over the scoby, and add the scoby after you put in the tea.....Usually will keep mold away.....ron and vivian in leander tx ************************************** Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 7, 2007 Report Share Posted August 7, 2007 Always pour your starter, over the scoby, and add the scoby after you put in the tea.....Usually will keep mold away.....ron and vivian in leander tx ************************************** Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 8, 2007 Report Share Posted August 8, 2007 Make sure that you rock your fermenting jar daily, just enough to coat the scoby in liquid. This should keep it from allowing mold growth. -- In kombucha tea , " dlwmyers " <donnalmyers@...> wrote: > > I keep having mold though and I am very perplexed as > to why. It is not in all the bowls, usually just one or two. Any help > or advice would be greatly appreciated. > > Donna > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 8, 2007 Report Share Posted August 8, 2007 Make sure that you rock your fermenting jar daily, just enough to coat the scoby in liquid. This should keep it from allowing mold growth. -- In kombucha tea , " dlwmyers " <donnalmyers@...> wrote: > > I keep having mold though and I am very perplexed as > to why. It is not in all the bowls, usually just one or two. Any help > or advice would be greatly appreciated. > > Donna > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 8, 2007 Report Share Posted August 8, 2007 Donna... I keep having mold though and I am very perplexed as > to why. jvanswol <jvanswol@...>... Make sure that you rock your fermenting jar daily, just enough to coat the scoby in liquid. This should keep it from allowing mold growth. .... Make good and sure you have a " Rockable " SCOBY first. I was cautioned against even moving it for the first few days to let baby gestate properly. Nn. England. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 8, 2007 Report Share Posted August 8, 2007 Donna... I keep having mold though and I am very perplexed as > to why. jvanswol <jvanswol@...>... Make sure that you rock your fermenting jar daily, just enough to coat the scoby in liquid. This should keep it from allowing mold growth. .... Make good and sure you have a " Rockable " SCOBY first. I was cautioned against even moving it for the first few days to let baby gestate properly. Nn. England. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 8, 2007 Report Share Posted August 8, 2007 Donna... I keep having mold though and I am very perplexed as > to why. jvanswol <jvanswol@...>... Make sure that you rock your fermenting jar daily, just enough to coat the scoby in liquid. This should keep it from allowing mold growth. .... Make good and sure you have a " Rockable " SCOBY first. I was cautioned against even moving it for the first few days to let baby gestate properly. Nn. England. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 8, 2007 Report Share Posted August 8, 2007 I would check to be sure the starter is acidic enough to discourage mold growth. A little added distilled white vinegar would acidify if the starter is lacking. ) K -- In kombucha tea , Kane <brainnake@...> wrote: > > Donna... > I keep having mold though and I am very perplexed as > > to why. > > jvanswol <jvanswol@...>... > Make sure that you rock your fermenting jar daily, just enough to coat > the scoby in liquid. This should keep it from allowing mold growth. > > .... > Make good and sure you have a " Rockable " SCOBY first. I was cautioned against even moving it for the first few days to let baby gestate properly. > > > Nn. England. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 8, 2007 Report Share Posted August 8, 2007 I would check to be sure the starter is acidic enough to discourage mold growth. A little added distilled white vinegar would acidify if the starter is lacking. ) K -- In kombucha tea , Kane <brainnake@...> wrote: > > Donna... > I keep having mold though and I am very perplexed as > > to why. > > jvanswol <jvanswol@...>... > Make sure that you rock your fermenting jar daily, just enough to coat > the scoby in liquid. This should keep it from allowing mold growth. > > .... > Make good and sure you have a " Rockable " SCOBY first. I was cautioned against even moving it for the first few days to let baby gestate properly. > > > Nn. England. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 6, 2008 Report Share Posted January 6, 2008 Most common is she didn't pour the finished KT ( starter Over the scoby at the beginning) Barring that it may have set out in the open air for too long. OR when she prepared the sweet tea she let it set too long. that stuff will mold all by itself in a couple days time. If its truly mold she needs to chuck it all tea and scoby. Sterilize the jar with Vinegar and Hydrogen peroxide ( separately) get a new scoby and start over. Sorry but there just isn't any safe cure for mold. zoe > i just gave a scoby to a friend to make KT for her first time. i went > to check on it for her b/c she wasn't sure if it looked right. it had > been brewing for more than a week and it just looked like mold was > forming as opposed to a baby scoby. what's the cause of mold? i'm > hoping someone can help out with this. thanks you so much, nancy > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 6, 2008 Report Share Posted January 6, 2008 1. >>What's the cause of mold? I'm >> hoping someone can help out with this. >>Thanks you so much, 2. >Most common is she didn't pour the finished KT ( starter Over the scoby at the >beginning) Barring that it may have set out in the open air for too long. >Zoe It's caused by Mould (Other side of the wet) spored landing on the surface, usually for the reason Zoe says, a bit like a dandelion seed blown onto your garden. Unfortunately my camera is still in dry-dock. I have some perfect mould on top of one of my brews..........Reason I did it all as per book EXCEPT I got distracted and forgot to put in either Starter OR SCOBY [{:-(( N. England. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 29, 2009 Report Share Posted June 29, 2009 Take a decko at this lot for pictures of mo(u)ld to check against. kombucha tea/photos/album/561074715/pic/list . (UK) A.B.A.L.T.A.T. " Any, LEGAL, topic which other groups would consider Off-Topic. " http://uk./group/ABALTAT/ ________________________________ From: Dianna <dholland_29171@...> kombucha tea Sent: Monday, 29 June, 2009 19:49:50 Subject: mold I am wondering if my kt has started mold, the new scoby looks like a little blue color around the edge of part of it, like a light blue or a blusish white... Help ------------------------------------ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 29, 2009 Report Share Posted June 29, 2009 In message <h2b2ce+rn8keGroups> you wrote: > I am wondering if my kt has started mold, the new scoby looks like a > little blue color around the edge of part of it, like a light blue or a > blusish white... Help Don't fret, that sounds normal. Different thicknesses, different tea pigments, different amounts of air layered in the scobymat...all give different appearances. You can tell mold by its fuzziness and by its 'urge' to present in roundish blobs ir circles. I very much doubt that your culture has mold! :-) http://www.therpc.f9.co.uk/family/scobygrow/home.html With best moldfree greetings, Margret:-) UK -- +------------------ Minstrel@... --------------------+ <)))<>< http://www.therpc.f9.co.uk <)))<>< http://bavarianminstrel.wordpress.com 'Because he loves me, I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.' Psalm 91:14 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 29, 2009 Report Share Posted June 29, 2009 hey Margaret, I did switch from black tea to green  thanks bunches,,go ahead make my day WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS Dianna Holland > I am wondering if my kt has started mold, the new scoby looks like a > little blue color around the edge of part of it, like a light blue or a > blusish white... Help Don't fret, that sounds normal. Different thicknesses, different tea pigments, different amounts of air layered in the scobymat...all give different appearances. You can tell mold by its fuzziness and by its 'urge' to present in roundish blobs ir circles. I very much doubt that your culture has mold! :-) http://www.therpc. f9.co.uk/ family/scobygrow /home.html With best moldfree greetings, Margret:-) UK -- +----------- ------- Minstreltherpc (DOT) f9.co.uk ------------ --------+ <)))<>< http://www.therpc. f9.co.uk <)))<>< http://bavarianmins trel.wordpress. com 'Because he loves me, I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.' Psalm 91:14 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 10, 2009 Report Share Posted August 10, 2009 In message <D49F53A3-0EC1-4441-A01A-4426A4728A2A@...> you wrote: > I get these dark slimy gloopy bits on the bottom side of my scoby. I > wash them off with vinegar between brews. > > They developed around the holes in my scoby. > > Should I be concerned? > Hi Carolyn, Yoohoo, you've got a NORMAL brew! No need even to wash the ooglies off with vinegar. It's enough just to wriggle them about in the KT and then to strain the liquid and add it again to the whole. Read more about the oogly bits and things on http://www.therpc.f9.co.uk/family/scobygrow/home.html Margret:-) -- +------------------ Minstrel@... --------------------+ <)))<>< http://www.therpc.f9.co.uk <)))<>< http://bavarianminstrel.wordpress.com 'I have come into the world as light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness'(Jesus) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 10, 2009 Report Share Posted August 10, 2009 In message <D49F53A3-0EC1-4441-A01A-4426A4728A2A@...> you wrote: > I get these dark slimy gloopy bits on the bottom side of my scoby. I > wash them off with vinegar between brews. > > They developed around the holes in my scoby. > > Should I be concerned? > Hi Carolyn, Yoohoo, you've got a NORMAL brew! No need even to wash the ooglies off with vinegar. It's enough just to wriggle them about in the KT and then to strain the liquid and add it again to the whole. Read more about the oogly bits and things on http://www.therpc.f9.co.uk/family/scobygrow/home.html Margret:-) -- +------------------ Minstrel@... --------------------+ <)))<>< http://www.therpc.f9.co.uk <)))<>< http://bavarianminstrel.wordpress.com 'I have come into the world as light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness'(Jesus) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 10, 2009 Report Share Posted August 10, 2009 That is a normal part of the process. No need to rinse them off. It's not mold. On Mon, Aug 10, 2009 at 8:39 AM, CWah <3carolyn@...> wrote: > > > > Hi, > I get these dark slimy gloopy bits on the bottom side of my scoby. I > wash them off with vinegar between brews. > > They developed around the holes in my scoby. > > Should I be concerned? > Carolyn > > -- LaShan Y. Arceneaux Sowing Seeds http://sowingseedstx.weebly.com/ Texas Kombucha Bar http://texaskombuchabar.weebly.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 10, 2009 Report Share Posted August 10, 2009 That is a normal part of the process. No need to rinse them off. It's not mold. On Mon, Aug 10, 2009 at 8:39 AM, CWah <3carolyn@...> wrote: > > > > Hi, > I get these dark slimy gloopy bits on the bottom side of my scoby. I > wash them off with vinegar between brews. > > They developed around the holes in my scoby. > > Should I be concerned? > Carolyn > > -- LaShan Y. Arceneaux Sowing Seeds http://sowingseedstx.weebly.com/ Texas Kombucha Bar http://texaskombuchabar.weebly.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 25, 2010 Report Share Posted June 25, 2010 In message <i01dgt+k0l6eGroups> you wrote: > I've read that to prevent mold it is important to use plenty of starter. > Once I skimped on the starter because it was a small batch, and I wanted > to drink the KT, not pour it back into the jar. That was the first and > only time I got mold. I learned my lesson. Now when I make my KT I > always use plenty of starter, some from the original jar, and some from > my scoby hotel, which is really vinegary. I always get a good brew, and > great big fat scobies. Ahhhh, Sue, illumination has finally hit home. :-) Shame you had to learn the hard way and lost a batch. Yes, using plenty of starter (about a tenth of total liquid) is a sacrifice well worth making. Anyway, it'll come back to you in the end. Blessings on your day! Margret:-) -- +------------------ Minstrel@... --------------------+ http://www.therpc.f9.co.uk/family/scobygrow/home.html http://bavarianminstrel.wordpress.com creation.com In a consecrated life there are no accidents. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 7, 2011 Report Share Posted February 7, 2011 When cleaning for mold I have found an electronic air purifier invaluable. It removes the tiny particles from the air better than any paper filter. I got mine at a secondhand store very cheap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 8, 2011 Report Share Posted February 8, 2011 Hi , Good idea, just be sure it is not an ozone generating cleaner. Peace, Love and Harmony, Bev > > When cleaning for mold I have found an electronic air purifier invaluable. It > removes the tiny particles from the air better than any paper filter. I got mine > at a secondhand store very cheap. > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 12, 2011 Report Share Posted April 12, 2011 In message <02283274C9CB427B893959991ED71A6A@KrisPC> you wrote: > A friend just tried her first brew and it has got mold. What causes this > and if I give her a new scoby what can I suggest she do differently. Hi Kris, so many first time brewers throw away their brews because they mistakenly take the ooglies on their scobys for mold because of fears, and lack of experience. Did she have the fuzzy mold filaments presenting on the scobys? The ooglies do look ugly, but slimy yeast strand areas with green/black/grey tea pigment and are completely harmless. The significant tell-tale sign of mold is fuzziness. > She used a glass bowl and put it in her airing cupboard covered with a > muslin cloth. That should have been alright. One good way of preventing mold spores taking a hold of Kombucha is to add concentrated acidity to a new brew, especially over the exposed scoby areas: either acidic KT from a previous brew (scoby hotel is brilliant!) or distilled or pasteurised vinegar. There are some pictures of ooglies on my site. Forgot to say, mold mostly presents in circular blobs or rings and is fuzzy, while ooglies are not fuzzy, but slimy and bitsy in appearance .... http://www.therpc.f9.co.uk/family/scobygrow/home.html Kombucha greetings without fuzz, Margret ;-) -- +------------------ Minstrel@... --------------------+ http://bavarianminstrel.wordpress.com http://www.hebrew4christians.com/index.html creation.com Jesus: I Am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No-one comes to the Father except through Me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 12, 2011 Report Share Posted April 12, 2011 In message <02283274C9CB427B893959991ED71A6A@KrisPC> you wrote: > A friend just tried her first brew and it has got mold. What causes this > and if I give her a new scoby what can I suggest she do differently. Hi Kris, so many first time brewers throw away their brews because they mistakenly take the ooglies on their scobys for mold because of fears, and lack of experience. Did she have the fuzzy mold filaments presenting on the scobys? The ooglies do look ugly, but slimy yeast strand areas with green/black/grey tea pigment and are completely harmless. The significant tell-tale sign of mold is fuzziness. > She used a glass bowl and put it in her airing cupboard covered with a > muslin cloth. That should have been alright. One good way of preventing mold spores taking a hold of Kombucha is to add concentrated acidity to a new brew, especially over the exposed scoby areas: either acidic KT from a previous brew (scoby hotel is brilliant!) or distilled or pasteurised vinegar. There are some pictures of ooglies on my site. Forgot to say, mold mostly presents in circular blobs or rings and is fuzzy, while ooglies are not fuzzy, but slimy and bitsy in appearance .... http://www.therpc.f9.co.uk/family/scobygrow/home.html Kombucha greetings without fuzz, Margret ;-) -- +------------------ Minstrel@... --------------------+ http://bavarianminstrel.wordpress.com http://www.hebrew4christians.com/index.html creation.com Jesus: I Am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No-one comes to the Father except through Me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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