Kombucha is super tasty right?  But it can also be a little on the pricey side.  If you aren't careful, you can also end up grabbing one with more sugar than you would like as well.  

Some time ago, a friend shared with me about making her own kombucha.  She split her scoby with me and I never looked back.  

What you need:

• Gallon Glass Jar
• Black Tea Bags
• Plain White Sugar
• 8 Glass Bottles (you can purchase these on Amazon or start saving the bottles from store bought kombucha)
• Water, I do not use tap water for kombucha 
• 1 cup store bought Kombucha or from previous brew

Step One:  Making Your Kombucha

1. Bring 2 cups of water to a boil.  Once boiling, remove from heat and stir in 2 cups of sugar until dissolved.  Don't substitute the sugar as the scoby needs this for food. 
2. Place 10 black tea bags in your sugar water and steep for 15 minutes or so.  
3. Pour 10 cups or so of water into your gallon glass jar
4. Add your your tea mixture and once at room temperature, add 1 cup of kombucha from a previous brew or store and place your scoby on top
5. Secure 2 coffee filters or cheese cloth around the top with a rubber band and allow it to sit for about 2 weeks

Easy right!  So what do you do once you have made your kombucha and waited patiently for 2 weeks?  You flavor it, bottle it and wait some more.

When it comes to flavoring, you have options.  The first option is to simply divide up your kombucha into your bottles and toss some fruit in the bottom.  Put the lids on and allow it to sit until it is carbonated to your liking.  I usually wait at least 3-4 days.

Another option for flavoring that I really like and is still pretty easy is blending some flavors.  Put the fruit you like in a blender, I like mixed berries, and any other flavor combinations you enjoy.  I typically add a piece of ginger and lemon juice.  Blend and either add the mixture as is or strain the seeds out and add to your kombucha.  Allow to sit for carbonation.

Things to note:

• Your scoby is delicate.  Keep it protected from extreme temperatures and
  always use clean hands.  I always use our Foaming Baby Wash and Shampoo before handling my scoby.  This insures my hands are clean and free from any chemicals found in traditional soap that could damage my scoby.
• Your scoby may do some crazy things. It will float around and grow, and that is totally normal
• Once you have flavored and bottled your kombucha, it will begin to carbonate.  Keep an eye on things as bottles have exploded before.  Typically I drink on each day and if I notice they are getting too fizzy, I will place the remaining bottles in the refrigerator which stops the carbonating process. 
• Find a friend to share the wealth with.  Your scoby will continue to grow and you will need to split it.  Find others to give your scoby babies to. 

Happy Brewing!