Home-Made Kombucha!

Special thanks to my BFF, Jess, for helping me out with this one! So to explain-- Kombucha is made from a culture so there is a mother culture, which then produces offspring (I know it sounds really creepy BUT it's awesome). Therefore, Jess received her culture from a lady at the farmers' market she knows that is a pro kombucha maker, Jess's culture then produced a culture, which she then gave to me. Local cultures are probably best for your own kombucha making, however, you can google "kombucha cultures for sale", add in your city for a more specific location and have it sent to your doorstep! If you want more info on the health benefits click here for my prior post on Kombucha!

If you do decide to embark on your kombucha-making quest, Here's how you would go about it:

Ingredients:
3 quarts filtered water
1 cup sugar
5-6 tea bags (organic is best)
1 cup kombucha from previous batch (if none available, use 1/4 cup distilled vinegar)
1 kombucha culture

Instructions:
1. Fill a large pot with water over stovetop and bring to a boil.
2. Add tea bags and sugar to water and remove pot from heat.
3. Allow pot to cool to room temperature.
4. Once tea is lukewarm, pour into large glass container, such as the one pictured above (Bed, Bath & Beyond $19.99- use a coupon for $5 or 20% off!).
5. Add culture using your hands to place it into the tea (culture may sink or float- no worries either way).
6. Add 1 cup pre-made kombucha or 1/4 cup distilled vinegar.
7. Cover top of the jar with a coffee filter and secure with rubber band.
8. Let sit for one week. It should start to thicken and if you shake the jar every once in a while, the kombucha will come out more carbonated.
9. Fill up individual bottles and flavor them to your liking! I'm going to try a ginger pear and a lemon honey to start! Enjoy!