Re: Ugh, My Kombucha is moldy

[Guest guest]

Hmmm, I am much more casual than you and I have never had a mold problem. Can

you tell a little bit about your process, so we can do some detective work?

The first thing that comes to my mind is wondering whether or not you are

inoculating with already-brewed kombucha?

Also, are you letting the culture get hot from tea that is not thoroughly

cooled?

Please give a few more details - what recipe/instructions are you following?

Loving my kombucha,

>

> I am a new Kombucha brewer, and two out of the last three of my brews have

developed mold on the top Scoby. I try really hard to be aseptic, and use only

stainless steel tools. What could I be doing wrong? I would be very grateful

for advice about this.

>

> Thirstily,

>

> Mel Olson

>

[Guest guest]

Hmmm, I am much more casual than you and I have never had a mold problem. Can

you tell a little bit about your process, so we can do some detective work?

The first thing that comes to my mind is wondering whether or not you are

inoculating with already-brewed kombucha?

Also, are you letting the culture get hot from tea that is not thoroughly

cooled?

Please give a few more details - what recipe/instructions are you following?

Loving my kombucha,

>

> I am a new Kombucha brewer, and two out of the last three of my brews have

developed mold on the top Scoby. I try really hard to be aseptic, and use only

stainless steel tools. What could I be doing wrong? I would be very grateful

for advice about this.

>

> Thirstily,

>

> Mel Olson

>

[Guest guest]

Be sure to store any ripening fruits/ other foods far from your KT. I brew my

kombucha in a lower pantry that only has cookbooks, storage containers near it -

no other foods. And far from garbage/compost. Check fruits and empty trash

daily.

I avoid using anything metal with my scoby. I brew tea with stainless steelbut

once I pour the cooled tea/sugar mixture into the scoby starter tea mix, no

metal is involved.

Good luck,

.

[Guest guest]

Hi Mel,

Mold can be really frustrating, when all you want to do is drink it. One of my

friends finally just started spraying the top of each batch with Heinz white

distilled vinegar. Having a larger amount of starter liquid, as well as a more

acidic batch of starter liquid can also help. Some other ideas: don't brew near

house plants, change up the tea you're using, Otherwise, it seems as if you're

doing everything the way you should. Are you using sanitizers at all? I think as

in all things, sometimes we can be TOO clean.

love and gratitude,

Barb

________________________________

To: trad-foods-MN

Sent: Tue, May 4, 2010 12:08:41 PM

Subject: Ugh, My Kombucha is moldy

I am a new Kombucha brewer, and two out of the last three of my brews have

developed mold on the top Scoby. I try really hard to be aseptic, and use only

stainless steel tools. What could I be doing wrong? I would be very grateful

for advice about this.

Thirstily,

Mel Olson

[Guest guest]

Hi Mel,

Mold can be really frustrating, when all you want to do is drink it. One of my

friends finally just started spraying the top of each batch with Heinz white

distilled vinegar. Having a larger amount of starter liquid, as well as a more

acidic batch of starter liquid can also help. Some other ideas: don't brew near

house plants, change up the tea you're using, Otherwise, it seems as if you're

doing everything the way you should. Are you using sanitizers at all? I think as

in all things, sometimes we can be TOO clean.

love and gratitude,

Barb

________________________________

To: trad-foods-MN

Sent: Tue, May 4, 2010 12:08:41 PM

Subject: Ugh, My Kombucha is moldy

I am a new Kombucha brewer, and two out of the last three of my brews have

developed mold on the top Scoby. I try really hard to be aseptic, and use only

stainless steel tools. What could I be doing wrong? I would be very grateful

for advice about this.

Thirstily,

Mel Olson

[Guest guest]

Hi Mel,

Mold can be really frustrating, when all you want to do is drink it. One of my

friends finally just started spraying the top of each batch with Heinz white

distilled vinegar. Having a larger amount of starter liquid, as well as a more

acidic batch of starter liquid can also help. Some other ideas: don't brew near

house plants, change up the tea you're using, Otherwise, it seems as if you're

doing everything the way you should. Are you using sanitizers at all? I think as

in all things, sometimes we can be TOO clean.

love and gratitude,

Barb

________________________________

To: trad-foods-MN

Sent: Tue, May 4, 2010 12:08:41 PM

Subject: Ugh, My Kombucha is moldy

I am a new Kombucha brewer, and two out of the last three of my brews have

developed mold on the top Scoby. I try really hard to be aseptic, and use only

stainless steel tools. What could I be doing wrong? I would be very grateful

for advice about this.

Thirstily,

Mel Olson