What You Need to Make Kombucha at Home | Beginner’s Checklist

What Do You Need to Make Kombucha at Home? A Beginner’s Equipment Checklist

Making kombucha at home might be simpler than you think. You don’t need specialist equipment, and most of it is probably already in your kitchen. The key ingredient you may need to organise is of course, the SCOBY (starter liquid).

Our first ever Holos Kombucha batch was made back in 2016 and we’ve learnt alot along the way so here’s everything you need, and what to avoid.

Kombucha brewing equipment checklist (First ferment)

1. A glass brewing jar
A wide-mouthed glass jar is ideal for a home kombucha brew. Glass doesn’t react with the acidic brew. Avoid metal and avoid cracked or scratched plastic. The glass jar provided in the Holos Brew Kit is 3L, perfect size for a shelf out the way but in sight! Make sure this guy is squeaky clean before you start.

2. A SCOBY
A SCOBY (symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast) is the magical powerhouse and what turns sweet tea into kombucha. This refers to not just the physical pellicle (the gooey pancake floating on top) but also the extra strong acidic liquid that comes with it. The Holos Brew Kit contains a large black pouch with 200g of SCOBY.

3. Tea
Plain organic, loose leaf green tea works best. Avoid flavoured teas and anything with oils, such as Earl Grey, for your first batch. Keep it simple! You can get creative as time goes on. 

4. Sugar
Raw organic cane sugar. The SCOBY needs the best! The SCOBY feeds on it during fermentation, so most of it is transformed during fermentation. We do not advise using any other types of sugar eg. white, brown, icing or honey. The SCOBY needs the natural nutrients only found in raw organic cane sugar.

5. Filtered water
Good water makes better kombucha, so use filtered if you can.

6. A breathable cover and an elastic band
Muslin or a clean cloth keeps dust and fruit flies out while letting the brew breathe. Never seal the jar during the first ferment. Oxygen is the most underrated ingredient when fermenting! The Holos Brew Kit contains both of these to gaurentee the perfect fit and the perfect flow!

7. A kettle (or pan)
You'll need some hot water for brewing the tea and dissolving the sugar (not included).

8. Measuring jug
Something that can hold hot water (not included).

For straining the tea leaves out of your brew (not included).

10. Spoon
For stirring the sugar into your tea until it dissolves (not included).

The one non-equipment essential:

11. A warm, quiet spot
Somewhere out of direct sunlight at a steady room temperature, such as a kitchen countertop or shelf.

How long does it take to make kombucha at home?

A first ferment typically takes around 10 to 14 days, depending on how warm your kitchen is. If you choose to do a second ferment then that could take a few days more. Taste along the way and bottle when it tastes as you’d like it! 

Common beginner mistakes to avoid

• Sealing the jar: The first ferment needs to breathe. Cover it with the cloth and band, not a lid.
  

• Rushing it: Cooler kitchens mean slower brews, so give it extra time.
  

• Letting it get cold: Your brew likes to stay warm and cosy at all times. You can get heat mats or seedling mats to keep your kombucha at a steady temperature.
  

• Mistaking normal for mould: Brown strings and a new cloudy layer are completely normal. Fuzzy, dry spots are mould, so discard the batch and start again.
  

Can I buy everything in one kombucha brew kit?

Yes. The Holos Organic Kombucha Brew Kit has what you need to start brewing at home, SCOBY included. We’ve just relaunched our brew kits to make them even more accessible and easy to use. The kit makes it super simple and has everything measured out so you are ready to go in a few simple steps. 

[Shop the Organic Kombucha Brew Kit →]

Every kit is packed as part of our paid placement programme, which creates employment for survivors of exploitation and trauma.