http://kombuchatea.tribe.net/thread/3f2ccc9f-9f9e-42b4-b8ee-642ae013649a?format=rss Tribe.net. Local Connections http://kombuchatea.tribe.net/thread/3f2ccc9f-9f9e-42b4-b8ee-642ae013649a#e687fac8-5715-4eeb-adb6-7b6524332cf6 Thanks for all your advice, as well as the anti-plastic sentiments. At the risk of getting back on topic :), I started another batch, this time with seven bags of green tea and one bag of black tea per gallon, and an extra quarter of a cup of sugar. I'll let y'all know how it goes. Fri, 24 Aug 2007 15:26:06 GMT http://kombuchatea.tribe.net/thread/3f2ccc9f-9f9e-42b4-b8ee-642ae013649a#e687fac8-5715-4eeb-adb6-7b6524332cf6 naia 2007-08-24T15:26:06Z http://kombuchatea.tribe.net/thread/3f2ccc9f-9f9e-42b4-b8ee-642ae013649a#2f430252-cbd7-48d9-8af8-f9f5b952c1ad re: storing booch in suntea w/ plastic spigot... i do this when there are enuf folks that are drinking th booch that it flows to empty quite swiftly. not leaving much time for plastic deteriation. otherwise i twinkle with the anti-plastic sentiment. cheers Thu, 23 Aug 2007 17:39:04 GMT http://kombuchatea.tribe.net/thread/3f2ccc9f-9f9e-42b4-b8ee-642ae013649a#2f430252-cbd7-48d9-8af8-f9f5b952c1ad Liberty 2007-08-23T17:39:04Z http://kombuchatea.tribe.net/thread/3f2ccc9f-9f9e-42b4-b8ee-642ae013649a#e7efc161-7993-4387-8ccd-bf7e192f2d09 alright, i'm glad someone is watching the news... good to know. Thu, 23 Aug 2007 04:13:50 GMT http://kombuchatea.tribe.net/thread/3f2ccc9f-9f9e-42b4-b8ee-642ae013649a#e7efc161-7993-4387-8ccd-bf7e192f2d09 banshee 2007-08-23T04:13:50Z http://kombuchatea.tribe.net/thread/3f2ccc9f-9f9e-42b4-b8ee-642ae013649a#22682cbf-7bfd-43df-9494-d90d309d08ac > (recycling code 7) but even polycarb Actually, that's been warned off because it produces a chemical (Bisphenol A) that wreaks havoc with the endocrine system - like Nalgene, etc. This has been discussed a lot in the media of late due to the uproar about bottled water and plastics. Wed, 22 Aug 2007 05:46:25 GMT http://kombuchatea.tribe.net/thread/3f2ccc9f-9f9e-42b4-b8ee-642ae013649a#22682cbf-7bfd-43df-9494-d90d309d08ac skooter 2007-08-22T05:46:25Z http://kombuchatea.tribe.net/thread/3f2ccc9f-9f9e-42b4-b8ee-642ae013649a#d7573347-fc07-429d-8d50-569dcbce0bc3 i just don't like the idea of the suntea thingy. with such a high acidity the plastic would start to deteriorate in seep in to the kombucha, forming something unknown. however the exception would be if the plastic were polycarbonate (recycling code 7) but even polycarb would deteriorate after prolonged exposed to bucha. the vinegar and acids permeate everything....include my dorm and dorm suite. thank god my suite mates are all boys that drink. i'm really pleased that although we've got so many people doing slightly differing methods, that each is tailored to the individuals liking and satisfies the individual. that's what it all about, right? Wed, 22 Aug 2007 04:01:30 GMT http://kombuchatea.tribe.net/thread/3f2ccc9f-9f9e-42b4-b8ee-642ae013649a#d7573347-fc07-429d-8d50-569dcbce0bc3 banshee 2007-08-22T04:01:30Z http://kombuchatea.tribe.net/thread/3f2ccc9f-9f9e-42b4-b8ee-642ae013649a#ceb56372-d0ec-4d56-bb3d-ae084425bebc i always use at least about 7 tea bags (or teabags worth of loose tea) per gallon. and a short cut for less bottling is to harvest directly into a spigoted suntea jar. sometimes weve set this on the counter or in the fridge for self service. re: cup vs bottle washing, ive found it worth it for me to prep and bottle 6 -12 7oz- Quart jars for the sake of to-go convenience. and a single apple juice Gallon jar for the next round. thanks for the tea blending experience sharing folks! Mon, 20 Aug 2007 16:30:05 GMT http://kombuchatea.tribe.net/thread/3f2ccc9f-9f9e-42b4-b8ee-642ae013649a#ceb56372-d0ec-4d56-bb3d-ae084425bebc Liberty 2007-08-20T16:30:05Z http://kombuchatea.tribe.net/thread/3f2ccc9f-9f9e-42b4-b8ee-642ae013649a#e8aa6a54-63c6-4a57-9048-c3a8c734f730 I like mine carbonated and cold, and I distribute to family, so I bottle them. I make some serious kick-ass, champagne-like carbonated ginger booch. Can't do it without the bottle. Thu, 16 Aug 2007 06:58:48 GMT http://kombuchatea.tribe.net/thread/3f2ccc9f-9f9e-42b4-b8ee-642ae013649a#e8aa6a54-63c6-4a57-9048-c3a8c734f730 skooter 2007-08-16T06:58:48Z http://kombuchatea.tribe.net/thread/3f2ccc9f-9f9e-42b4-b8ee-642ae013649a#e82f8808-a7b3-4a73-89f7-ee91f0aa224a ive been mixing green, oolong, and mate. Thu, 16 Aug 2007 06:58:05 GMT http://kombuchatea.tribe.net/thread/3f2ccc9f-9f9e-42b4-b8ee-642ae013649a#e82f8808-a7b3-4a73-89f7-ee91f0aa224a Djinn 2007-08-16T06:58:05Z http://kombuchatea.tribe.net/thread/3f2ccc9f-9f9e-42b4-b8ee-642ae013649a#61c41700-a01d-41e9-ba92-d8a3c82a5397 hm. well i've tried other teas, and different ratios with differeing effects. however i typically steep for 5 minutes, i see no point in keeping it in longer than that. all in all, i currently brew lazy-bucha. ten bags of black, and drink it straint from the jar after about 4 days. i like experiencing the change in the flavor. and i'll gladly forgo fizz if i don't have to clean and fill and clean and fill all those little bottles. you know now that i think about it. the main problem with bottling was that i would end up giving them all away at work. but it's always like that at co-ops. now they have to pour it themselves! Thu, 16 Aug 2007 06:46:20 GMT http://kombuchatea.tribe.net/thread/3f2ccc9f-9f9e-42b4-b8ee-642ae013649a#61c41700-a01d-41e9-ba92-d8a3c82a5397 banshee 2007-08-16T06:46:20Z http://kombuchatea.tribe.net/thread/3f2ccc9f-9f9e-42b4-b8ee-642ae013649a#76215ce2-8ff9-4d81-ab5d-360478788839 I usually use five bags worth of loose green tea, and one bag worth of loose Oolong tea - 6 bags total per gallon, and I let them steep quite awhile; about 30 minutes. I started brewing only with black tea, but the brew got too heavy and too vinegary too quickly for me. Then I tried all green tea and it was very light, dry and well carbonated but it didn't have a satisfying, full body taste to it. So I settled on the one bag worth of loose black tea and that works pretty well for me. Thu, 16 Aug 2007 06:08:39 GMT http://kombuchatea.tribe.net/thread/3f2ccc9f-9f9e-42b4-b8ee-642ae013649a#76215ce2-8ff9-4d81-ab5d-360478788839 skooter 2007-08-16T06:08:39Z http://kombuchatea.tribe.net/thread/3f2ccc9f-9f9e-42b4-b8ee-642ae013649a#4ac5bf82-edcc-43bc-8a1d-6fe69ffb5c46 you sat three bags per gallon? of green tea? i don't think you have enough tannins or caffeine for the proper conditions. next time try maybe, 7 green tea bags, and 3 black tea bags. you could mess around with ratios to a certain extent, but i think the black tea is important for the tannins and extra caffeine. Thu, 16 Aug 2007 05:59:59 GMT http://kombuchatea.tribe.net/thread/3f2ccc9f-9f9e-42b4-b8ee-642ae013649a#4ac5bf82-edcc-43bc-8a1d-6fe69ffb5c46 banshee 2007-08-16T05:59:59Z http://kombuchatea.tribe.net/thread/3f2ccc9f-9f9e-42b4-b8ee-642ae013649a#08249ddf-6b84-4197-b9e2-c0676fd63826 Yep, the pantry is likely not a warm environment. Perhaps a stable temperature, but not quite enough to brew normally. Everyone brews at a different temperature but the average is around 80-85F. Lower than 70F and it won't be healthy enough to fight off common airborne contaminants, especially due to the extended period necessary to ferment; over 105F and culture die-off starts occurring and it will brew into vinegar very quickly. For myself I swear by 80F. I use a heat belt for my 2.5 gallon fermenter, and a heat mat for my secondary bottle fermentation and for my spare culture. Heat mat http://tinyurl.com/2rgvdt Heat Belt http://tinyurl.com/2m6t4n Thu, 16 Aug 2007 05:11:14 GMT http://kombuchatea.tribe.net/thread/3f2ccc9f-9f9e-42b4-b8ee-642ae013649a#08249ddf-6b84-4197-b9e2-c0676fd63826 skooter 2007-08-16T05:11:14Z http://kombuchatea.tribe.net/thread/3f2ccc9f-9f9e-42b4-b8ee-642ae013649a#970b6c25-e15e-47ed-b870-1d0b9a2a3636 Also, it likes it a littler warmer than cooler. It can take two weeks or longer if its cool, and as little as 4-5 days if its warm. Thu, 16 Aug 2007 04:56:50 GMT http://kombuchatea.tribe.net/thread/3f2ccc9f-9f9e-42b4-b8ee-642ae013649a#970b6c25-e15e-47ed-b870-1d0b9a2a3636 Djinn 2007-08-16T04:56:50Z http://kombuchatea.tribe.net/thread/3f2ccc9f-9f9e-42b4-b8ee-642ae013649a#bf384970-0673-428a-9d7e-fa3fa0be4cc7 It should get stronger. I usually double up on the sugar then wait for it to get really strong. 1 cup is playing it safe, but if you use more sugar it takes longer for the kumbucha to metabolize it. Thu, 16 Aug 2007 04:55:58 GMT http://kombuchatea.tribe.net/thread/3f2ccc9f-9f9e-42b4-b8ee-642ae013649a#bf384970-0673-428a-9d7e-fa3fa0be4cc7 Djinn 2007-08-16T04:55:58Z http://kombuchatea.tribe.net/thread/3f2ccc9f-9f9e-42b4-b8ee-642ae013649a#5666a606-9362-489f-a858-de2622db41f0 sugar, yup, one cup per gallon. And it's in the pantry... not suffocating, but not the open air, either. From what I've read, lack of air is more likely to cause it to go sour or moldy than to just taste weak. Am I wrong? Thu, 16 Aug 2007 04:38:10 GMT http://kombuchatea.tribe.net/thread/3f2ccc9f-9f9e-42b4-b8ee-642ae013649a#5666a606-9362-489f-a858-de2622db41f0 naia 2007-08-16T04:38:10Z http://kombuchatea.tribe.net/thread/3f2ccc9f-9f9e-42b4-b8ee-642ae013649a#57d2be82-90fc-4382-b86f-34c1ed501add Kombucha likes air. Direct sunlight isnt good, but it likes to be a little warm with plenty of air flow and it doesnt mind indirect light. Thu, 16 Aug 2007 04:28:55 GMT http://kombuchatea.tribe.net/thread/3f2ccc9f-9f9e-42b4-b8ee-642ae013649a#57d2be82-90fc-4382-b86f-34c1ed501add Djinn 2007-08-16T04:28:55Z http://kombuchatea.tribe.net/thread/3f2ccc9f-9f9e-42b4-b8ee-642ae013649a#c7231c48-149c-415e-8086-c5930d376a21 Did you put sugar in it? Thu, 16 Aug 2007 04:20:47 GMT http://kombuchatea.tribe.net/thread/3f2ccc9f-9f9e-42b4-b8ee-642ae013649a#c7231c48-149c-415e-8086-c5930d376a21 Mandy 2007-08-16T04:20:47Z http://kombuchatea.tribe.net/thread/3f2ccc9f-9f9e-42b4-b8ee-642ae013649a#1ccb0e2a-38cf-4bb9-83aa-8ad812b195b1 I've been brewing my first batch of kombucha in my pantry for about ten days now. It's got a new culture growing nicely on top, and I tasted it today... it seems a lot less sweet than when I started, which is good, yes, but it doesn't taste very strong. Just sort of like tea. It has a cider-y vinegar-y smell, though. Will it get stronger if I brew it longer? Did I just not make the tea strong enough? I used green tea with jasmine, three tea bags to a gallon of water, and left the tea bags in as it cooled. Any advice? Thanks! Thu, 16 Aug 2007 01:37:47 GMT http://kombuchatea.tribe.net/thread/3f2ccc9f-9f9e-42b4-b8ee-642ae013649a#1ccb0e2a-38cf-4bb9-83aa-8ad812b195b1 naia 2007-08-16T01:37:47Z