To successfully home brew fermented tea, also known as kombucha, you will need to follow these steps:
- Start by brewing a strong batch of sweet tea using black or green tea and sugar.
- Allow the tea to cool to room temperature before adding a SCOBY (symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast) to the mixture.
- Cover the container with a cloth or paper towel and secure it with a rubber band to allow airflow while keeping out contaminants.
- Let the tea ferment for 7-14 days in a warm, dark place, tasting it periodically to check the flavor.
- Once the kombucha reaches your desired level of tartness, remove the SCOBY and bottle the tea, leaving some liquid to use as a starter for your next batch.
- Store the bottled kombucha at room temperature for a few days to allow carbonation to develop before refrigerating and enjoying your homemade fermented tea.