Guest guest Posted March 2, 2006 Report Share Posted March 2, 2006 Hi , That doesn't look like mold but it doesn't look like anything else I have ever seen on a Kombucha Colony either. I would toss it and clean everything really well, rinse even more, and start again using Kombucha tea from another batch if you have it and a new Kombucha Colony. I have no idea what you are growing there but it sure doesn't look like Kombucha! Thanks for posting a picture that really helps:-)) Peace, Love and Harmony, Bev > > Hello, I have been brewing kombucha for about 8 or 9 months now. In > fact a got my first scoby from someone here on the kombucha list....I > got mold on my 2nd attempt to brew, but threw it out and have not had > any trouble since then......BUT I now have a problem with a batch I am > making!!! What is this on my scoby??? Does anyone know? Here is a link > to the picture....Would sure appreciate any information on knowing > what this is? It does not look like any mold I have ever seen.....LINK > BELOW......Thanks,,,, G. > > http://members.sdplains.com/ggg/scoby.jpg > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 2, 2006 Report Share Posted March 2, 2006 , Holy wow! THAT IS WEIRD!! I have brewed alot of stuff and propagated some interesting fungi but that is one of the strangest growth formations I have ever seen, especially considering that it manifested in the midst of what appears to be a forming scoby. I agree with Bev, don't drink the tea and start anew. BUT DON'T throw it away!!!! Let it grow (away from your other ferments). If you don't want it, send it to me. The reason I say this is because you have some sort of new scoby forming with properties unknown... Someone decided to keep, harvest or propagate the first Kombucha scoby and look where we are now, sharing them and feeling better because of it. Theories abound for the origins of Kombucha but maybe it was some sort of spontaneous growth or infection like the one you have. PLEASE either grow it or send it to me (or better yet to someone who has access to a lab or a degree in microbiology!). I really think it should be identified before it is gone forever. So blown away by that photo! Some questions if I may.. Is this brewed from the same culture that previously had mold, or is it a different one? Did you add anything other than tea and sugar to the batch? Where do you keep this? Any other ferments going on? Any other details that may have influenced the culture? Thanks for posting that photo. OMG! Beau > > Hello, I have been brewing kombucha for about 8 or 9 months now. In > fact a got my first scoby from someone here on the kombucha list....I > got mold on my 2nd attempt to brew, but threw it out and have not had > any trouble since then......BUT I now have a problem with a batch I am > making!!! What is this on my scoby??? Does anyone know? Here is a link > to the picture....Would sure appreciate any information on knowing > what this is? It does not look like any mold I have ever seen.....LINK > BELOW......Thanks,,,, G. > > http://members.sdplains.com/ggg/scoby.jpg > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 3, 2006 Report Share Posted March 3, 2006 Sweet pic, too bad it's fake. Should stick to putting celeb heads on te playboy pics man. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 3, 2006 Report Share Posted March 3, 2006 Aw, a fake? Shame, i thought some new organism had made its way to the group (( Jaimye wrote: Sweet pic, too bad it's fake. Should stick to putting celeb heads on te playboy pics man. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 3, 2006 Report Share Posted March 3, 2006 In message you wrote: > Hi , I concur with Bev. I've had mould, but I've never seen anything > like what you have. Very good idea to post a picture, it looks like a > wormy thing, maybe not mould, but not Kombucha either! > All the best, > Terry Mc Queen Hi , we keep looking at IT, throwing the wildest theories about. Graham (my husband) wonders whether you dropped some kind of sponge into the brew ...and hey presto it grew ... I'd like to know whether that brew smells any different from your usual brew or musty, earthy or alien? Did you actually try it .... I know, I would have done unless the smell was too revolting. Very intrigued and curious to know more. Since it isn't April 1st yet, I take it that you wouldn't be so mean as to play a practical joke on the members on the list? I must say, that picture looks very convincing and genuine ... headscratchingly, Margret;-) -- +---------------------------------------------------------------+ Minstrel@... <)))<>< http://www.therpc.f9.co.uk <)))<>< http://www.AnswersInGenesis.com http://www.elijahlist.com +---------------------------------------------------------------+ All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small .... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 3, 2006 Report Share Posted March 3, 2006 Hi , I concur with Bev. I've had mould, but I've never seen anything like what you have. Very good idea to post a picture, it looks like a wormy thing, maybe not mould, but not Kombucha either! All the best, Terry Mc Queen yoganandaom escribió: Hi , That doesn't look like mold but it doesn't look like anything else I have ever seen on a Kombucha Colony either. I would toss it and clean everything really well, rinse even more, and start again using Kombucha tea from another batch if you have it and a new Kombucha Colony. I have no idea what you are growing there but it sure doesn't look like Kombucha! Thanks for posting a picture that really helps:-)) Peace, Love and Harmony, Bev > > Hello, I have been brewing kombucha for about 8 or 9 months now. In > fact a got my first scoby from someone here on the kombucha list....I > got mold on my 2nd attempt to brew, but threw it out and have not had > any trouble since then......BUT I now have a problem with a batch I am > making!!! What is this on my scoby??? Does anyone know? Here is a link > to the picture....Would sure appreciate any information on knowing > what this is? It does not look like any mold I have ever seen.....LINK > BELOW......Thanks,,,, G. > > http://members.sdplains.com/ggg/scoby.jpg > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 3, 2006 Report Share Posted March 3, 2006 I agree, don't throw it away yet, let it grow. Question that I would ask and also will help the fellow below...Are you culturing anything else, like Koji or tempeh? That looks a lot like a mushroom spore got into your kombucha. It would be like mold as you would not be able to get rid of it, but I would grow it for a longer period to see what happens. If you are growing Tempeh, that would definately explain what that is. It isn't white (like it should be) because it would be stained by the tea.... , Holy wow! THAT IS WEIRD!! I have brewed alot of stuff and propagated some interesting fungi but that is one of the strangest growth formations I have ever seen, especially considering that it manifested in the midst of what appears to be a forming scoby. I agree with Bev, don't drink the tea and start anew. BUT DON'T throw it away!!!! Let it grow (away from your other ferments). If you don't want it, send it to me. The reason I say this is because you have some sort of new scoby forming with properties unknown... Someone decided to keep, harvest or propagate the first Kombucha scoby and look where we are now, sharing them and feeling better because of it. Theories abound for the origins of Kombucha but maybe it was some sort of spontaneous growth or infection like the one you have. PLEASE either grow it or send it to me (or better yet to someone who has access to a lab or a degree in microbiology!). I really think it should be identified before it is gone forever. So blown away by that photo! Some questions if I may.. Is this brewed from the same culture that previously had mold, or is it a different one? Did you add anything other than tea and sugar to the batch? Where do you keep this? Any other ferments going on? Any other details that may have influenced the culture? Thanks for posting that photo. OMG! Beau -- mjkern2000@... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 3, 2006 Report Share Posted March 3, 2006 > > Hello, I have been brewing kombucha for about 8 or 9 months now. In > fact a got my first scoby from someone here on the kombucha list....I > got mold on my 2nd attempt to brew, but threw it out and have not had > any trouble since then......BUT I now have a problem with a batch I am > making!!! What is this on my scoby??? Does anyone know? Here is a link > to the picture....Would sure appreciate any information on knowing > what this is? It does not look like any mold I have ever seen.....LINK > BELOW......Thanks,,,, G. > > http://members.sdplains.com/ggg/scoby.jpg This scoby is about 5 days old and was brewed in a 2 gallon container the same way I always brew. I used 2 gallons of water, 2 1/2 cups of sugar and 11 bags of green tea and on bag of black tea..(which I have made tea with variances of green and black before)...The scoby came from a good batch of scobys that I keep in a jar and have used before......I have brewed in the same place consistantly. It is in my kitchen but I have a rather large kitchen, and it is away from the cooking and eating area. It sits closer to the pellet stove, since we get cold winters here in SD. I brewed in the exact same way as I have always brewed.....with no problems before except the mold one which I threw everything away, scoby, tea, etc... The only thing different that I can think of is the jar that this scoby came from had lost most of its liquid, and was dry on top. But I threw away the top scoby and used one underneath it that was still moist ..I will let it continue to brew and make another batch in a gallon jar I have....If someone wants it email me at ggg@.... Thanks again..... > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 3, 2006 Report Share Posted March 3, 2006 , I emailed your photo to a very well versed keeper of culures and hope to hear back from him soon. I do certainly hope that it's not a photoshop joke.. I can see why someone might think so but I don't believe you would do that.. Maybe show us another pic in a while if and when it gets bigger. The other thing I was wondering is what it looks like from the underside. Thanks Beau > > > > > > Hello, I have been brewing kombucha for about 8 or 9 months now. In > > fact a got my first scoby from someone here on the kombucha list....I > > got mold on my 2nd attempt to brew, but threw it out and have not > had > > any trouble since then......BUT I now have a problem with a batch I > am > > making!!! What is this on my scoby??? Does anyone know? Here is a > link > > to the picture....Would sure appreciate any information on knowing > > what this is? It does not look like any mold I have ever > seen.....LINK > > BELOW......Thanks,,,, G. > > > > http://members.sdplains.com/ggg/scoby.jpg > > This scoby is about 5 days old and was brewed in a 2 gallon container > the same way I always brew. I used 2 gallons of water, 2 1/2 cups of > sugar and 11 bags of green tea and on bag of black tea..(which I have > made tea with variances of green and black before)...The scoby came > from a good batch of scobys that I keep in a jar and have used > before......I have brewed in the same place consistantly. It is in my > kitchen but I have a rather large kitchen, and it is away from the > cooking and eating area. It sits closer to the pellet stove, since we > get cold winters here in SD. I brewed in the exact same way as I have > always brewed.....with no problems before except the mold one which I > threw everything away, scoby, tea, etc... > The only thing different that I can think of is the jar that this > scoby came from had lost most of its liquid, and was dry on top. But I > threw away the top scoby and used one underneath it that was still > moist ..I will let it continue to brew and make another batch in a > gallon jar I have....If someone wants it email me at > ggg@.... Thanks again..... > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 3, 2006 Report Share Posted March 3, 2006 I wonder if there was a mold in the tea? Re: Re: Mold or what is this on my scoby??? Help , I emailed your photo to a very well versed keeper of culures and hope to hear back from him soon. I do certainly hope that it's not a photoshop joke.. I can see why someone might think so but I don't believe you would do that.. Maybe show us another pic in a while if and when it gets bigger. The other thing I was wondering is what it looks like from the underside. Thanks Beau > > > > > > Hello, I have been brewing kombucha for about 8 or 9 months now. In > > fact a got my first scoby from someone here on the kombucha list....I > > got mold on my 2nd attempt to brew, but threw it out and have not > had > > any trouble since then......BUT I now have a problem with a batch I > am > > making!!! What is this on my scoby??? Does anyone know? Here is a > link > > to the picture....Would sure appreciate any information on knowing > > what this is? It does not look like any mold I have ever > seen.....LINK > > BELOW......Thanks,,,, G. > > > > http://members.sdplains.com/ggg/scoby.jpg > > This scoby is about 5 days old and was brewed in a 2 gallon container > the same way I always brew. I used 2 gallons of water, 2 1/2 cups of > sugar and 11 bags of green tea and on bag of black tea..(which I have > made tea with variances of green and black before)...The scoby came > from a good batch of scobys that I keep in a jar and have used > before......I have brewed in the same place consistantly. It is in my > kitchen but I have a rather large kitchen, and it is away from the > cooking and eating area. It sits closer to the pellet stove, since we > get cold winters here in SD. I brewed in the exact same way as I have > always brewed.....with no problems before except the mold one which I > threw everything away, scoby, tea, etc... > The only thing different that I can think of is the jar that this > scoby came from had lost most of its liquid, and was dry on top. But I > threw away the top scoby and used one underneath it that was still > moist ..I will let it continue to brew and make another batch in a > gallon jar I have....If someone wants it email me at > ggg@.... Thanks again..... > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 3, 2006 Report Share Posted March 3, 2006 Any mold in the tea should have been killed from the boiling water... It does not look like mold, it looks like a mutation of the kombucha colony to me, but I'm no mycologist... I've been trying to find a picture of something like it in fungal databases online, but no luck so far... Beau > > I wonder if there was a mold in the tea? > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 3, 2006 Report Share Posted March 3, 2006 I don't know, but that is one weird looking tangle of something. I would be very leary of drinking the K it was in. Very strange. Looks like a tangle of fishing line or seaweed. vickie patricia wrote: I wonder if there was a mold in the tea? Re: Re: Mold or what is this on my scoby??? Help , I emailed your photo to a very well versed keeper of culures and hope to hear back from him soon. I do certainly hope that it's not a photoshop joke.. I can see why someone might think so but I don't believe you would do that.. Maybe show us another pic in a while if and when it gets bigger. The other thing I was wondering is what it looks like from the underside. Thanks Beau > > > > > > Hello, I have been brewing kombucha for about 8 or 9 months now. In > > fact a got my first scoby from someone here on the kombucha list....I > > got mold on my 2nd attempt to brew, but threw it out and have not > had > > any trouble since then......BUT I now have a problem with a batch I > am > > making!!! What is this on my scoby??? Does anyone know? Here is a > link > > to the picture....Would sure appreciate any information on knowing > > what this is? It does not look like any mold I have ever > seen.....LINK > > BELOW......Thanks,,,, G. > > > > http://members.sdplains.com/ggg/scoby.jpg > > This scoby is about 5 days old and was brewed in a 2 gallon container > the same way I always brew. I used 2 gallons of water, 2 1/2 cups of > sugar and 11 bags of green tea and on bag of black tea..(which I have > made tea with variances of green and black before)...The scoby came > from a good batch of scobys that I keep in a jar and have used > before......I have brewed in the same place consistantly. It is in my > kitchen but I have a rather large kitchen, and it is away from the > cooking and eating area. It sits closer to the pellet stove, since we > get cold winters here in SD. I brewed in the exact same way as I have > always brewed.....with no problems before except the mold one which I > threw everything away, scoby, tea, etc... > The only thing different that I can think of is the jar that this > scoby came from had lost most of its liquid, and was dry on top. But I > threw away the top scoby and used one underneath it that was still > moist ..I will let it continue to brew and make another batch in a > gallon jar I have....If someone wants it email me at > ggg@.... Thanks again..... > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 4, 2006 Report Share Posted March 4, 2006 I must bump this post so it stays where more folks can see it.. bump! > > I don't know, but that is one weird looking tangle of something. I would > be very leary of drinking the K it was in. Very strange. Looks like a tangle > of fishing line or seaweed. > > vickie > > > patricia wrote: > I wonder if there was a mold in the tea? > Re: Re: Mold or what is this on my scoby??? Help > > > , I emailed your photo to a very well versed keeper of culures and > hope > to hear back from him soon. > I do certainly hope that it's not a photoshop joke.. I can see why someone > might think so but I don't believe you would do that.. > Maybe show us another pic in a while if and when it gets bigger. > The other thing I was wondering is what it looks like from the underside. > Thanks > Beau > > > > > > > > > > > > > Hello, I have been brewing kombucha for about 8 or 9 months now. In > > > fact a got my first scoby from someone here on the kombucha list....I > > > got mold on my 2nd attempt to brew, but threw it out and have not > > had > > > any trouble since then......BUT I now have a problem with a batch I > > am > > > making!!! What is this on my scoby??? Does anyone know? Here is a > > link > > > to the picture....Would sure appreciate any information on knowing > > > what this is? It does not look like any mold I have ever > > seen.....LINK > > > BELOW......Thanks,,,, G. > > > > > > http://members.sdplains.com/ggg/scoby.jpg > > > > This scoby is about 5 days old and was brewed in a 2 gallon container > > the same way I always brew. I used 2 gallons of water, 2 1/2 cups of > > sugar and 11 bags of green tea and on bag of black tea..(which I have > > made tea with variances of green and black before)...The scoby came > > from a good batch of scobys that I keep in a jar and have used > > before......I have brewed in the same place consistantly. It is in my > > kitchen but I have a rather large kitchen, and it is away from the > > cooking and eating area. It sits closer to the pellet stove, since we > > get cold winters here in SD. I brewed in the exact same way as I have > > always brewed.....with no problems before except the mold one which I > > threw everything away, scoby, tea, etc... > > The only thing different that I can think of is the jar that this > > scoby came from had lost most of its liquid, and was dry on top. But I > > threw away the top scoby and used one underneath it that was still > > moist ..I will let it continue to brew and make another batch in a > > gallon jar I have....If someone wants it email me at > > ggg@.... Thanks again..... > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 4, 2006 Report Share Posted March 4, 2006 Hi! It looks like a myxomycete, a sort of fungus associated with bacteria. And... those myxomycetes can move!!! Aaaw! We will be surrounded by moving scoby's! Lol. Here is a picture of one of those fungus/animals: http://perso.wanadoo.fr/champi.fc/myxos/images/Fuligo_septica_2.jpg Sorry, I only know websites in French about myxomycetes but if you do a Google search in English I'm sure that you'll find some amazing informations. (in Belgium) 2006/3/3, Beau Barrett : > Any mold in the tea should have been killed from the boiling water... > It does not look like mold, it looks like a mutation of the kombucha colony > to me, but I'm no mycologist... > I've been trying to find a picture of something like it in fungal databases > online, but no luck so far... > Beau Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 4, 2006 Report Share Posted March 4, 2006 In message you wrote: > Margaret,,,,,,the thing on the scoby is real...... Hi :-) I never doubted that the growth on the scoby is indeed real. To me it looks like something else beside the actual scoby which is seen in the picture as a whitish gelatinous mass. The unusual fungoid growth looks like something grown on agar agar dishes in a laboratory. Your picture is really good and I want to say 'thanks' for sharing it, . It has caused a lot of interest and stimulated conversation on list, got our brains a-whirring ;-) Maybe, one day the mysterious entity will be revealed to all our satisfaction! in anticipation, Margret:-)) -- +---------------------------------------------------------------+ Minstrel@... <)))<>< http://www.therpc.f9.co.uk <)))<>< +---------------------------------------------------------------+ " The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy " ( Luther King, Jr). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 4, 2006 Report Share Posted March 4, 2006 Can someone send me a link to this photo - now I am curious!!! I want to see what all the fuss is about THanks Cori (**I know curiousity killed the cat ...LOL**) > > I agree, don't throw it away yet, let it grow. Question that I would > ask and also will help the fellow below...Are you culturing anything > else, like Koji or tempeh? That looks a lot like a mushroom spore got > into your kombucha. It would be like mold as you would not be able to > get rid of it, but I would grow it for a longer period to see what > happens. > > If you are growing Tempeh, that would definately explain what that is. > It isn't white (like it should be) because it would be stained by the > tea.... > > , > Holy wow! THAT IS WEIRD!! I have brewed alot of stuff and propagated > some > interesting fungi but that is one of the strangest growth formations I > have > ever seen, especially considering that it manifested in the midst of > what > appears to be a forming scoby. > I agree with Bev, don't drink the tea and start anew. > BUT DON'T throw it away!!!! Let it grow (away from your other > ferments). > If you don't want it, send it to me. > The reason I say this is because you have some sort of new scoby forming > with properties unknown... > Someone decided to keep, harvest or propagate the first Kombucha scoby > and > look where we are now, sharing them and feeling better because of it. > Theories abound for the origins of Kombucha but maybe it was some sort > of > spontaneous growth or infection like the one you have. > PLEASE either grow it or send it to me (or better yet to someone who has > access to a lab or a degree in microbiology!). > I really think it should be identified before it is gone forever. > So blown away by that photo! > Some questions if I may.. > Is this brewed from the same culture that previously had mold, or is it > a > different one? > Did you add anything other than tea and sugar to the batch? > Where do you keep this? Any other ferments going on? > Any other details that may have influenced the culture? > Thanks for posting that photo. OMG! > Beau > -- > > mjkern2000@... > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 5, 2006 Report Share Posted March 5, 2006 In message <dudlhl+uupceGroups> you wrote: > Can someone send me a link to this photo - now I am curious!!! I want > to see what all the fuss is about http://members.sdplains.com/ggg/scoby.jpg Yep, that IS the stunning picture. It is an amazing mystery - and I don't think it's a fake or joke either 'cause it isn't April the first yet ;-) Blessings Margret:-) -- +---------------------------------------------------------------+ Minstrel@... <)))<>< http://www.therpc.f9.co.uk <)))<>< http://www.AnswersInGenesis.com http://www.elijahlist.com +---------------------------------------------------------------+ Eternity is a long time to be wrong. Especially about Jesus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 5, 2006 Report Share Posted March 5, 2006 Hi EveryOne, What ever it is, it looks like it may have formed from something dropped onto the Kombucha Colony. I asked Gunther , author of Kombucha: Healthy Beverage and Natural Remey From The Far East, the best book about Kombucha....he said he had never seen anything like that on Kombucha either. Peace, Love and Harmony, Bev Manna International: Kombucha Information and Resources Kombucha Drops - Convenient, Safe, Effective, Easy to use. http://KMI.mannainternational.com Manna Green & White Tea Extract - Liquid Green & White Tea Extract http://GTE.mannainternational.com All products made with 100% Certified Organic Ingredients Made and packaged in glass, not plastic! -- In original_kombucha , Margret Pegg wrote: > > In message you wrote: > > > Can someone send me a link to this photo - now I am curious!!! I want > > to see what all the fuss is about > > > http://members.sdplains.com/ggg/scoby.jpg > > Yep, that IS the stunning picture. > It is an amazing mystery - and I don't think it's a fake or joke > either 'cause it isn't April the first yet ;-) > > Blessings > > Margret:-) > > -- > +---------------------------------------------------------------+ > Minstrel@... > <)))<>< http://www.therpc.f9.co.uk <)))<>< > http://www.AnswersInGenesis.com > http://www.elijahlist.com > +---------------------------------------------------------------+ > Eternity is a long time to be wrong. Especially about Jesus. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 6, 2006 Report Share Posted March 6, 2006 OMG = HAS ANYONE GIVEN ANYONE CLUES TO WHAT THIS IS YET - I READ WHERE SOMEONE THOUGHT IT WAS A MUSHROOM SPORE??? ANY FEEDBACK ON THAT THEORY = DEFINITELY INTERESTING!!! THANKS CORI -- In original_kombucha , Margret Pegg wrote: > > In message you wrote: > > > Can someone send me a link to this photo - now I am curious!!! I want > > to see what all the fuss is about > > > http://members.sdplains.com/ggg/scoby.jpg > > Yep, that IS the stunning picture. > It is an amazing mystery - and I don't think it's a fake or joke > either 'cause it isn't April the first yet ;-) > > Blessings > > Margret:-) > > -- > +---------------------------------------------------------------+ > Minstrel@... > <)))<>< http://www.therpc.f9.co.uk <)))<>< > http://www.AnswersInGenesis.com > http://www.elijahlist.com > +---------------------------------------------------------------+ > Eternity is a long time to be wrong. Especially about Jesus. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 8, 2006 Report Share Posted March 8, 2006 Hi : That's a fascinating photo, indeed! I was so intrigued by it that I forwarded the photo Dom Anfiteatro, who is owner of the kefir_making list and is intimately familiar with kefir, kombucha, and many other types of cultures. He actually HAS seen something similar. With his permission, I'm pasting his reply below. Hope this sheds some light on your " creature " ! Nori ********************************** DOM'S RESPONSE Hello Nori, Thanks for sharing the picture/puzzle of the unusual kombucha brew with me. I'm happy for you to forward my reply to the original_kombucha list, if you feel it is worthy. At first glance of the picture, I was inclined to think that someone is clever at rendering photos, and it was a fake, which although this could be a possibility, I think its genuine enough. With the " Achilles heel of a scientist " in mind i.e " I believe " I may know what this brown webbing may be. I've found a similar colony in one batch of kombucha some 6 years ago. What I believe [there's that Achilles heel again], is that initially, yeasts form a mycodermea [film] on the surface of the brew. Such colonies begin forming as an evenly distributed thin brown film. And as the film thickens, it produces the web-like appearance seen in the picture. It is forced to take the peculiar web-like shape, because as the surface area of the colony increases [it wants to grow outwardly], it is constricted from growing parallel to the surface of the brew. So in essence, the film " hits the wall " as it were. So instead it is forced to fold up, which eventually renders it as the web-like shape shown in picture. As an example or as an analogy, it is like pinching the skin on your body; as you pinch, it wrinkles up. Then, as the Acetobacter [acetic acid bacteria] begin propagation, these have the correct single-sugar, glucose in order to begin synthesizing the opaque, cellulose-pelicle [sCOBY]. This is why the SCOBY is clearly visible, growing above the brown webbing of yeast colony. One should find that eventually, the SCOBY will completely cover the yeast colony so it is no longer visible. At that point on, what is likely to happen is that in the brew itself, just beneath the SCOBY, thin, long brown tentacles of yeasts will form in the brew [if they haven't already]. Imagine tentacles of a brown coloured jelly fish in appearance, hanging from the SCOBY. I can bet on the arrow that struck Achilles heel, that the kombucha in question will have a bitter flavour, like dry brewers yeast. I say this because that batch is likely to have excessively high yeast cell counts. Is the brew toxic?... or unsafe to consume?.. you may ask. Without proper testing for analysis [or experience], I'd suggest to discard the brew, and recover a clean piece of clean " virgin SCOBY " to brew a new batch [and see how it goes]. Be-well, Dom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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