Guest guest Posted November 11, 2004 Report Share Posted November 11, 2004 Hey , Glad your brew is brewing.. That would be a yes on that one . 3-7 days is usually a good range for good fizz. And so I wanted to ask you how the " taste test " went. Was there a noticable difference between Dave's GT brew and mine? Did one brew faster than the other? Hope you are enjoying the K-T experience.. Beau B. Kombucha brewing I did notice that the bubbles that were in the brew last night seem to have gone missing. Will they come back if I don't chill the bottles? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 11, 2004 Report Share Posted November 11, 2004 Hi Beau and everyone! Thanks for the input with the fizz. The taste test is great. Both the brews from your scoby and the GT brew were delicious, but very different. I can't really eplain how they were different but they were. I had several people try them both and we all love them both but they are different. I let the GT brew go for a full 2 weeks before bottling. I bottled the batch from your scoby after about 10 days (this may be part of the difference but one doesn't taste stronger than the other, just different). I think that maybe yours went faster because of the presence of an actual scoby? What do you think? Here's another question. It seems that each of the bottles I poured off is now forming mini-scobies in the bottles. Is this normal? What do you do with them? Do you add them back into the original brew, which is now working on a new batch? Do you put them all in a new container and start fresh with them? Do you just drink them down and try not to think about it? Thanks. <evolvingcreations@v...> wrote: > Hey , > Glad your brew is brewing.. > That would be a yes on that one . 3-7 days is usually a good range for good fizz. > And so I wanted to ask you how the " taste test " went. Was there a noticable difference between Dave's GT brew and mine? > Did one brew faster than the other? > Hope you are enjoying the K-T experience.. > Beau B. > > Kombucha brewing > I did notice that the bubbles that > were in the brew last night seem to have gone missing. Will they > come back if I don't chill the bottles? > > Thanks > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 11, 2004 Report Share Posted November 11, 2004 Here's another question. It seems that each of the bottles I poured off is now forming mini-scobies in the bottles. Is this normal? What do you do with them? Do you add them back into the original brew, which is now working on a new batch? Do you put them all in a new container and start fresh with them? Do you just drink them down and try not to think about it? Hello , Yes it is normal to have those mini-scobies and what I do is I dump it/them in the sink. Regards Marina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 11, 2004 Report Share Posted November 11, 2004 > Yes it is normal to have those mini-scobies and what I do is I dump > it/them in the sink. Marina, I have done that and as a result have my sink (the pipes underneath) partially blocked. The fibres of even the small scobys are surprisingly tough and fibrous. Discarding them onto the compost, the bin or the mouth;-0 would be a far safer option. Kombuchaly, Margret:-) -- +---------------------------------------------------------------+ Minstrel@... www.therpc.f9.co.uk +---------------------------------------------------------------+ A friend: someone who likes you even after they know you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 11, 2004 Report Share Posted November 11, 2004 Hello Margret! Oh, I only dump the " little ones " in the sink and then (Sorry) I clean everything degradable in the garburator, garbage disposal (or whatever the name is) with water! the discarded mothers (Good Lord sounds awful) I put them in the compost..... Take care and keep warm! Marina Re: Kombucha brewing > Yes it is normal to have those mini-scobies and what I do is I dump > it/them in the sink. Marina, I have done that and as a result have my sink (the pipes underneath) partially blocked. The fibres of even the small scobys are surprisingly tough and fibrous. Discarding them onto the compost, the bin or the mouth;-0 would be a far safer option. Kombuchaly, Margret:-) -- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 11, 2004 Report Share Posted November 11, 2004 From: " Marina Porritt " <mporritt@symp Do you just drink them down and try not to think about it? Yes, I just drink them down, kind of like a raw oyster with lemon!!! Diane in Bend Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 21, 2008 Report Share Posted October 21, 2008 Hello jcimno... The only reason re: using an 'igloo cooler' is that it is not generally recommended to brew Kombucha in plastic, although some folks do. Yes, I know that the spigots are plastic, but it is a matter of limiting contact with plastic. There is plenty of research on plastics available..so you can make your own informed decision about whether to incorporate it into your brwing experience. There is information in the files section, or a google will get you where one would need to go for all the info. I don't know the plastics code on the igloo coolers. Let us know what you decide. :-) Gayle kombucha brewing > When brewing the tea why is it neccesary to use a glass container? Why > not use a plastic " igloo water cooler " it has a plastic spigot? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 21, 2008 Report Share Posted October 21, 2008 I've always thought it'd be cool to do it in one of those glass sun tea jars, with the spigot on the bottom... On Oct 21, 2008, at 6:03 AM, jcimno wrote: > When brewing the tea why is it neccesary to use a glass container? Why > not use a plastic " igloo water cooler " it has a plastic spigot? > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 21, 2008 Report Share Posted October 21, 2008 Yea, some folk do :-(( In this neck o' the woods, disregard any question of cost, they're as scarce as hens teeth I could get a 5ltr one, just over 1gal (ceramic with boxwood spigot) from Belgium for about 85 of your $ then P & P on top, settled for 5gals, food grade beer brewer since my 2X1 gals were yielding enough. (UK) G S Marks wrote: > Hello jcimno... > > The only reason re: using an 'igloo cooler' is that it is not generally recommended to brew Kombucha in plastic, although some folks do. > Yes, I know that the spigots are plastic, but it is a matter of limiting contact with plastic. > <.................Snip...........> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 21, 2008 Report Share Posted October 21, 2008 Don't knock yourself about over it ... ;-) Like I say...we all do the best we can with what we have available to us! I hope that Santa will gift you with the spigoted glass container of your dreams! Gayle Re: kombucha brewing > Yea, some folk do :-(( > In this neck o' the woods, disregard any question of cost, they're as > scarce as hens teeth I could get a 5ltr one, just over 1gal (ceramic > with boxwood spigot) from Belgium for about 85 of your $ then P & P on > top, settled for 5gals, food grade beer brewer since my 2X1 gals were > yielding enough. > (UK) > > G S Marks wrote: >> Hello jcimno... >> >> The only reason re: using an 'igloo cooler' is that it is not generally >> recommended to brew Kombucha in plastic, although some folks do. >> Yes, I know that the spigots are plastic, but it is a matter of limiting >> contact with plastic. >> > <.................Snip...........> > > ------------------------------------ > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 21, 2008 Report Share Posted October 21, 2008 I use food grade plastic 5 gallon buckets. I choose these because they are compatible with food and don't leech out chemicals. kombucha brewing When brewing the tea why is it neccesary to use a glass container? Why not use a plastic " igloo water cooler " it has a plastic spigot? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 21, 2008 Report Share Posted October 21, 2008 I don't know the actual scientific facts, but when kombucha tea became the rage in the 90's it was considered essential to use glass because of the acids in black tea. And, btw, even food grade plastic buckets DO leech out chemicals. No plastic is completely immune from that. Some chemicals are less harmful than others. That said, I also use food grade plastic buckets for some foods. But not kombucha. Though if you're brewing more than a gallon at a time they do become more attractive. I use food grade plastic 5 gallon buckets. I choose these because they are compatible with food and don't leech out chemicals. kombucha brewing When brewing the tea why is it neccesary to use a glass container? Why not use a plastic " igloo water cooler " it has a plastic spigot? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 21, 2008 Report Share Posted October 21, 2008 I use a glass jar with a copper spigot (I think its copper) i this going to react w the kombucha or anything? > > I don't know the actual scientific facts, but when kombucha tea became the rage in the 90's it was considered essential to use glass because of the acids in black tea. > > And, btw, even food grade plastic buckets DO leech out chemicals. No plastic is completely immune from that. Some chemicals are less harmful than others. > > That said, I also use food grade plastic buckets for some foods. But not kombucha. Though if you're brewing more than a gallon at a time they do become more attractive. > > > I use food grade plastic 5 gallon buckets. I choose these because they are compatible with food and don't leech out chemicals. > > kombucha brewing > > When brewing the tea why is it neccesary to use a glass container? Why > not use a plastic " igloo water cooler " it has a plastic spigot? > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 21, 2008 Report Share Posted October 21, 2008 I'd avoid all non-precious metals and stick to using only the least reactive materials. Thus the glass. I personally think it is well worth giving up a little convenience for better health. Otherwise, why bother with the kt in the first place. We all have our poison or poisons of choice, why add to it unnecessarily. It's a personal choice we make for ourselves. Let it be clear and deliberate. I use a glass jar with a copper spigot (I think its copper) i this going to react w the kombucha or anything? > > I don't know the actual scientific facts, but when kombucha tea became the rage in the 90's it was considered essential to use glass because of the acids in black tea. > > And, btw, even food grade plastic buckets DO leech out chemicals. No plastic is completely immune from that. Some chemicals are less harmful than others. > > That said, I also use food grade plastic buckets for some foods. But not kombucha. Though if you're brewing more than a gallon at a time they do become more attractive. > > > I use food grade plastic 5 gallon buckets. I choose these because they are compatible with food and don't leech out chemicals. > > kombucha brewing > > When brewing the tea why is it neccesary to use a glass container? Why > not use a plastic " igloo water cooler " it has a plastic spigot? > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 21, 2008 Report Share Posted October 21, 2008 I do like the sun tea jars! I use one for making vinegar, and have used it for years. It does have a little plastic in it (the spigot), but not much. The only downside is that the glass is really cheap and breaks very easily. The best thing to do would be to get a gallon kimchi jar ... those are made to withstand pressure ... and drill a hole for a spigot. The spigot is really useful for vinegar: you can get the vinegar out without disturbing the mother. On Tue, Oct 21, 2008 at 10:14 AM, Summer <summer@...> wrote: > I've always thought it'd be cool to do it in one of those glass sun > tea jars, with the spigot on the bottom... > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 23, 2008 Report Share Posted October 23, 2008 The warning about not using plastics is due to the fact that they can leach chemicals into your Kombucha because of the acidity of the brew. That being said, it is a decision that each of us have to make for ourselves. I do most of my brews in one gallon pickle jars but also use five gallon food grade buckets for larger continuous brewing. I have found no difference between the brews done in food grade plastic and those done in glass. KT should be brewed in containers that do not contain metal for the same reason...metals will leach into the brew. There has been some discussion that very high quality stainless steel containers are ok to brew in but since they are very expensive, glass and food grade plastics are better choices for most people. You can obtain plastic spigots that work well with the food grade buckets at the Happy Herbalist. As for how long to use a scoby before changing to a baby...I typically throw out scobies when they become darker brown and are not spongey any longer. My understanding about GT's Kombucha is that it is probably brewed at much lower temperatures than home brewing of KT is done. There has been some talk about GT's being a lactic brew rather than an acetic brew which would account for the longer brewing time if it is true. On the Original Kombucha list which has brewers who have been doing this for ten plus years it has been pointed out that the dramatic changes that one sees in their health seems to be from the acetic brews rather than the GT's. -- Live and Love Well, Sandy (Jennings, FL; zone 8b) http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZdragondiscountsfl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 7, 2009 Report Share Posted January 7, 2009 In my own Kombucha brewing, on the second fermentation I put it in German beer bottles, the ones that have the flip tops. My son got them when stationed in Germany, and they work nicely. The American version is not as good, the flip top is much harder to work open. But I suppose that even a quart canning jar would work if you put it in the fridge, and made sure to 'burp' it every day. Sometimes the beer bottles are louder than a champagne bottle when 'burped'. And sometimes they foam over..now THAT is a real live brew!! And when flavored with whole cloves, my favorite, and sweetened slightly with either fruit juice or Stevia, they taste very good poured over ice. Granny Pat in CA  Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 8, 2009 Report Share Posted January 8, 2009 Yeah, just be careful to burp them! In the fridge it's not so bad, but I have had the top sort of " explode " if they go too long. The wire snaps the glass, which isn't so bad as the bottle exploding, but it does so pretty loudly and wrecks the bottle. If you time it right though (not too much sugar available) that isn't a problem and you can make nice fizzy brews! On Wed, Jan 7, 2009 at 4:03 PM, <BSPMerced@...> wrote: > In my own Kombucha brewing, on the second fermentation > > I put it in German beer bottles, the ones that have the flip tops. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 9, 2009 Report Share Posted January 9, 2009 I have only had problems when bottling into Perrier bottles. (coming home to a puddle after bottle exploded). With GROLSCH beer bottles with wire tops I don't burp and have not had any explosions. I have a few bottles that are about 6 months old.... I better put them in a bullet proof cupboard! P >Yeah, just be careful to burp them! In the fridge it's not so bad, >but I have had the top sort of " explode " if they go too long. >The wire snaps the glass, which isn't so bad as the bottle >exploding, but it does so pretty loudly and wrecks the bottle. I>f you time it right though (not too much sugar available) t<hat isn't a problem and you can make nice fizzy brews! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 9, 2009 Report Share Posted January 9, 2009 You could use a Hydrometer http://tinyurl.com/3xhlvd and calculate the amount of fermentable sugar in the bottle before bottling. Pretty affordable ($10) and widely available. You can also use this to calculate both the alcohol level and the residual sugar. Good record keeping will help make more predicable brews both safer and tastier. Another useful tool when bottling is to measure the pH. http://tinyurl.com/2eugdo. This is important when bottling because if/when the active bacteria and yeasts go dormant and other flavorings etc are added when the pH may not be sufficiently low to ward off and prevent the rise of pathogens than may still be active in colder temperatures. reference Pickle Bill <http://www.mda.state.mn.us/food/business/factsheets/picklebill.htm> http://www.mda.state.mn.us/food/business/factsheets/picklebill.htm One more suggestion when bottling in glass. Set one bottle of similar size in Plastic. Use the plastic bottle as a canary. The plastic bottle will bloat and expand and can easily be seen and felt and one can then better expect the pressure in the glass bottles to be. Ed Kasper, LAc www.HappyHerbalist.com <nutrition/message/10191;_ylc=X3oDMT JzcW0wNzRpBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE1BGdycElkAzEzMzk5Mjg5BGdycHNwSWQDMTcwNTA2MDk1MARtc2 dJZAMxMDE5MQRzZWMDZG1zZwRzbGsDdm1zZwRzdGltZQMxMjMxNTA5ODY2> Re: kombucha brewing Posted by: " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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