So You Think You Don't Have Time to Make Kombucha?

Ah... Kombucha!

• You are convinced of the health benefits of kombucha;
• You love the taste of this fermented beverage;
• You have an aversion to spending $4 a bottle on store bought kombucha;
• But... you think you just don't have time to brew kombucha yourself.

With my practical short cuts, you can ferment your own kombucha right at home with a minimum impact on your busy schedule. The most important time saving tip is to relax about the brewing process. Kombucha is one of the most forgiving ferments around.

Practical, Time Saving Kombucha Tips

1. First begin with a practical kombucha recipe. Don't think about doing anything fancy; just keep it simple.
2. Make small batches. Just brew a manageable 1/2 gallon at a time. 1/2 gallon canning jars are easy to handle and fit in the bottom rack of the dishwasher.
3. Don't strain your kombucha after fermentation. Now personally, I like to strain the strands out of my brew, but this is time consuming and is an easy step to eliminate - at least some of the time. 
4. Don't divide your SCOBY with every batch. Just let the layers build up. I think the kombucha flavor benefits from occasional dividing so I divide mine about every 5th brew.
5. Brew, secondary ferment, store and serve your kombucha from the same container. Don't bother bottling it all! 1/2 gallon canning jars work best for this method. When your initial brewing is complete, just reach in and pull out your SCOBY. Replace the cloth with a plastic (not metal) lid. Plastic lids for canning jars are readily available online and at the store where you buy your jars. You can also buy silicone rings to fit the plastic lids. These give a better seal to your jar.
6. Don't worry about your timing. If your fermenting kombucha sits on the counter an extra day, it won't be ruined! If you need to pull the SCOBY out early, just give it extra time in the secondary fermentation. You rule your kombucha fermentation, it doesn't rule you!
7. Don't worry about making back to back batches. Your SCOBY will keep for a long time in the refrigerator as long as it's covered with kombucha. Place it in a container that seals well and forget about it. Brew when it's convenient for you!
8. Add more kombucha starter to your batch. If you add more starter, your kombucha will ferment quicker. I usually add a rough 1/2 cup starter for a 1 gallon batch, but if I'm in a hurry, doubling that will yield results a day or 2 sooner.