Re: Rookie in need of advice!

[Guest guest]

In message <e5vn4j+f527eGroups> you wrote:

> I just started my first kombucha culture and unfortunately I made a

> mistake right off the bat! In the instructions I received it didn't

> say anything about flavoured teas and I accidentally used Twinnings

> Earl Grey tea!

Hello Terra :-)

Earl Grey is just fine for brewing, one of the few flavoured teas that

are. A previous Kombucha list mother always brewed exclusively with Earl

Grey. I use it often as part of my tea mix.

> Well, the culture has been growing 6 days and a scoby is forming on

> top. There isn't any carbonation yet and the tea (from the small bit I

> tasted) still tasted pretty " tea-like " . I didn't add vinegar like I

> have since read you can.

6 days is early days yet, especially with a first ferment. My advice, leave

at least another 3 days undisturbed and then carefully taste the brew

with a straw whether it tastes yet as you like it.

It may take up to a fortnight to come to the right acidity.

If there was no starter fluid with your little scoby, you can still pour

a tbsp of vinegar (not raw) over your brew .. very gently. This would

give it added protection against mold.

>

> I am scared of damaging my k-baby since it wasn't easy to aquire.

> Should I abort the operation right away and start again with a neutral

> tea or just let it take its course?

Let it take its course. Your brew should be fine, Terra.

Don't worry, just relax. Kombucha cultures are tough things and usually

establish themselves well after a little while. Carbonation may or may

not happen. It is not a sign of greater or lesser efficacy of the brew.

If you like a fizzy brew you can usually achieve this during the bottling

time at room temperature. It takes only a few days for the yeasts to

eat some more of the sugars in the KT and to produce fizz (CO2).

All the best,

kombuchaly,

Margret:-)

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[Guest guest]

Thanks, Margaret!

I feel much better now. I just thought that if the scoby was forming,

something right was happening.

I'll be patient!

Terra