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*Farmgirl Barter™:  Kombucha cultures Available  |
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Julia
True Blue Farmgirl
1949 Posts
Julia
Shelton
WA
USA
1949 Posts |
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urban chickie
True Blue Farmgirl
734 Posts
Catherine
Niles
IL
USA
734 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 09 2010 : 3:07:28 PM
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Julia, I sent you a SCOBY back in April.....
Catherine
Farmgirl #1370
City Girl By Birth,
Suburbanite By Location,
Farmgirl at Heart
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KathleenL
True Blue Farmgirl
84 Posts
Kathleen
Littleton
Colorado
USA
84 Posts |
Posted - Jul 10 2010 : 12:45:32 PM
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I got my SCOBY yesterday. I remembered to check the mail as I was returning from my walk about 8:30 pm. Some of it had leaked out on the instructions but it was all good. After reading the first paragraph I rinsed my jar out with vinegar and poured in the SCOBY. I then started about brewing the tea. I realized that all of the tea I had was flavored in some way except for the Lipton tea bags my husband uses to make iced tea. I decided that since it was late and I was tired from cleaning all day (Mom's coming for a visit.) I would use the Lipton this time and get some plain organic tea next time I was at the store. While I was waiting for the water to boil I reread the instructions and saw that the vinegar was supposed to be diluted. Yikes! I hope I didn't kill the poor SCOBY.
After waiting for the tea to cool I poured it in the jar hoping that it would all work out. Then I saw on the Lipton box that the tea is decaffeinated. Since I'd already poured it in the SCOBY there wasn't much I could do. I did a google search and got conflicting advice about whether decaffeinated is okay. So hopefully I didn't send my SCOBY to a quick demise with my mistakes.
Kathy |
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urban chickie
True Blue Farmgirl
734 Posts
Catherine
Niles
IL
USA
734 Posts |
Posted - Jul 10 2010 : 2:57:24 PM
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Kathy, I am sure it will all be OK! The vinegar used to clean the jar doesn't need to be diluted, so you should be fine. As to the caffeine, I have quite successfully made caffeine-free kombucha before so I think that's OK as well. I have read some folk say their experience has been that using caffeine-free all the time seems to negatively affect the culture, but once in a while is just fine. Most who say you can't, never tried LOL. Same with flavored teas. You can use them and many folk do so all the time, but I always say keep a SCOBY or two that have only seen regular tea, in case one flavor does harm the SCOBY. That way you have back-up.
Catherine
Farmgirl #1370
City Girl By Birth,
Suburbanite By Location,
Farmgirl at Heart
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KathleenL
True Blue Farmgirl
84 Posts
Kathleen
Littleton
Colorado
USA
84 Posts |
Posted - Jul 11 2010 : 10:42:12 AM
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Catherine,
I'm interested in the continuous brew process of making kombucha. Because of candida concerns I'm wondering if the sugar is "used up" as well in the continuous brew as in doing separate batches. Do you have any opinion on this? I also keep reading to test a batch to see if it's done. How do I know it's done? Is it just a matter of what level of sourness you desire? I've seen some places recommending brewing up to 12 days.
You mentioned making water kefir. I've been making milk kefir and not liking the texture of it much plus I'd like to cut out the dairy. I've heard you can make water kefir from the milk kefir grains so I thought I'd try that. I haven't been doing the milk version for too long but I think I have enough of the grains to remove some for experimentation. How large of an amount do I need to start a new batch? Do you have a favorite way of making water kefir? The recipe I have calls for sugar, lemon, and some dried fruit.
Thanks for your input. I don't know anyone in real life that does all of this culturing so you get the "honor" of answering my questions. That means I honor you for knowing so much not that it's an honor to help me out in any way. :-)
p.s. I mailed you out a little fabric last night but it probably won't go out in the mail until Monday.
Kathy |
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urban chickie
True Blue Farmgirl
734 Posts
Catherine
Niles
IL
USA
734 Posts |
Posted - Jul 11 2010 : 12:30:43 PM
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"Doneness" is a very personal thing, judged mostly by taste. If sugar consumption is an issue, there are sugar reading meters you could use to read how much sugar is left. I have no idea on their price but I do know that's an option. I have no need to be that concerned about it, so I just go on taste. It's funny, I drink rather tart/sour KT but if my kefir ever got that sour, I could never drink it! I like my milk products much less tart than I can handle with tea for some reason. Having said that, I think as long as it tastes the same, the amount of sugar should be the same, so continuous versus batch brewing shouldn't make a difference. Kombucha taste is all about the amount of sugar, the amount of tea, and the amount of tart (which is reversely proportional to the amount of sweet).
As for time of brewing, I have see folk recommend all sorts of times, based on their personal experience. I think it is more an issue of ambient temps and perhaps other weather considerations. I have had batches ready in 5 days and in as much as 14 days, all other things equal. For the record, slower batches at cooler temps seem to taste better. I find that to be the case with most fermented foods. I think there are bacteria that just don't fully develop without time, even if the fermentation comes along quicker. While there is a symbiotic relationship with yeast and bacteria both in the culture and in the process of fermentation, I think the bacteria have been proven to be the most of flavor while the yeast are more of the fermentation process. But neither can work without the other, thus the relationship. Too fast of a fermentation throws off the balance and their is less flavor.
I have never used milk kefir grains to make water kefir. Milk and water grains are NOT the same thing, so it seems rather silly to me since I have the water grains (I like to refer to them but their other name, tibicos, to avoid the association with milk kefir). I know the milk kefir grins will not grow unless they are fed milk. It is a different group of yeasts and bacterias that create kefir and tibicos, and a different matrix of polysaccharides all together that binds those microorganisms to form the grains. But since you are not liking the milk kefir, using the grains to make a water based ferment might be a way of getting the same probiotics without the milk texture. BUT, and given your other questions I would think this important, water kefir is much higher in sugar than is kombucha. While kombucha over brewed is just tart or perhaps almost vinegary, over brewed tibicos tastes nasty. It's more the sugar and fruit that are flavoring that drink. I think of it as a substitute for soda, which I do not drink very much. Just a couple teaspoons of grains can get you started on a nice experiment, but if sugar concerns you I would stay away from water kefir, either made with the correct grains or made with milk kefir grains.
I hope that answers some of your questions! I am not an expert by any means but I have been doing this a while and read a lot in the past, and am happy to share. I always say when in doubt, if you really want to know, experiment and find out!
Catherine
Farmgirl #1370
City Girl By Birth,
Suburbanite By Location,
Farmgirl at Heart
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Julia
True Blue Farmgirl
1949 Posts
Julia
Shelton
WA
USA
1949 Posts |
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Nigella
True Blue Farmgirl
386 Posts
Nigella
Chimacum
WA
USA
386 Posts |
Posted - Jul 14 2010 : 1:45:32 PM
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Hi Catherine, sorry it took me so long, I just mailed off your rolling pin this morning (I was having some car trouble). I'm so glad you liked it on my Etsy shop! I always wanted to make the cookies, but I never did....
Sister #1213
Farm-made aprons and vintage goodies
www.thecapriciouscorgi.etsy.com
"Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work."
~Thomas Edison~
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urban chickie
True Blue Farmgirl
734 Posts
Catherine
Niles
IL
USA
734 Posts |
Posted - Jul 15 2010 : 3:16:26 PM
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Nigella, no worries, I am in no rush. We are under a heat advisory and I don't think baking cookies is in my near future LOL! I did sent out your SCOBY today. I cannot believe how HOT it is, how did folk do it before ac?!? My genes must be dominated by highland mountain folk LOL. I have so much to do but I SO want to take a nap! The post office was an easy trip on a free bus, but earlier I was out about an hour and a half walking to get a special yarn for a swap and I think I just overdid it. Though it would only take me an hour and I thought it wouldn't get too hot til later.....eh well. I tamed the heat beast with an indulgent lunch of Ben & Jerry's roflol
Catherine
Farmgirl #1370
City Girl By Birth,
Suburbanite By Location,
Farmgirl at Heart
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Leilaht
True Blue Farmgirl
155 Posts
Elizabeth
Highland
MI
USA
155 Posts |
Posted - Aug 04 2010 : 5:58:14 PM
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I miss my kombucha. I would like a SCOBY too if you have one. What kind of material are you looking for? I have tons! Isn't the rule she who dies with the most fabric wins. For the record, I have fermented roobios tea and I like it the best. I like my kombucha tart and fizzy. I started brewing it right in the small bottles you get commercial kombucha in and that worked great. Didn't lose the fizz and I could make more than one flavor.
Liz
Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
Proverbs 31:25 |
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urban chickie
True Blue Farmgirl
734 Posts
Catherine
Niles
IL
USA
734 Posts |
Posted - Aug 05 2010 : 08:42:38 AM
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Liz, I am hoping to get quilting cottons in blues, greens, and/or browns for two quilts I am slowly putting together for my cousin's two preteen boys. I definitely have more SCOBYs around and am happy to send one out - just email me privately your addie and I'll get one out to you.
Catherine
Farmgirl #1370
City Girl By Birth,
Suburbanite By Location,
Farmgirl at Heart
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hivemama
Farmgirl in Training
21 Posts
Janna
Zeeland
MI
USA
21 Posts |
Posted - Aug 06 2010 : 6:55:33 PM
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urban chickie
True Blue Farmgirl
734 Posts
Catherine
Niles
IL
USA
734 Posts |
Posted - Aug 06 2010 : 7:50:41 PM
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Janna, just email me privately your addie and I can send one out Monday with a how-to sheet. I have plenty!
Catherine
Farmgirl #1370
City Girl By Birth,
Suburbanite By Location,
Farmgirl at Heart
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KathleenL
True Blue Farmgirl
84 Posts
Kathleen
Littleton
Colorado
USA
84 Posts |
Posted - Aug 07 2010 : 08:52:25 AM
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Early on in this thread someone posted that kombucha tea was not good for people with candida. I've been drinking kombucha tea for a couple of weeks and I feel it has helped tremendously with my long standing candida issues. I imagine the experience can be different for everyone but just wanted to share that it has been helpful for me in case anyone can benefit from it as I have.
Kathy
Kathy |
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puffmadi
Farmgirl at Heart
2 Posts
Madigan
Lansing
NY
USA
2 Posts |
Posted - Aug 07 2010 : 4:41:12 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by urban chickie
I have a rather large and ever-growing collection of kombucha cultures. Anyone interested in one? They are free for the cost of shipping, OR (and I really prefer this option lol) if you have a bit of fabric or wool bat to barter, that would be great. I love to do crafting and always have room for more fabric. And I just started trying my hand at spinning with a hand spindle so I could use some basic wool. Kombucha is like kefir in that it is good for the digestion and immune system, but unlike kefir it doesn't need constant new food. A culture that is kept moist can be kept for months and will still ferment a new batch of sweet tea when YOU are ready. It is a tart beverage but I love it!
Catherine
Carpe Diem |
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puffmadi
Farmgirl at Heart
2 Posts
Madigan
Lansing
NY
USA
2 Posts |
Posted - Aug 07 2010 : 4:51:00 PM
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I was wondering if the kombucha offer was still on the table?
I don't have anything to barter...sorry.
puffmadi@yahoo.com
Carpe Diem! |
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urban chickie
True Blue Farmgirl
734 Posts
Catherine
Niles
IL
USA
734 Posts |
Posted - Aug 07 2010 : 5:17:00 PM
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I think we can work something out, will email you directly!
Catherine
Farmgirl #1370
City Girl By Birth,
Suburbanite By Location,
Farmgirl at Heart
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hivemama
Farmgirl in Training
21 Posts
Janna
Zeeland
MI
USA
21 Posts |
Posted - Aug 11 2010 : 7:04:45 PM
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Catherine-
I went through my fabric stash and don't have much in the colors you're looking for. However, I just made two batches of soap. A Rosemary/Mint, and a Double Chocolate. Would you like to swap for some soap? Otherwise we can figure something else out.
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juju92
Farmgirl at Heart
3 Posts
Chrystal
Wichita
Ks
USA
3 Posts |
Posted - Nov 19 2013 : 08:02:43 AM
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I would love to have a Scoby I you have some available please.
Only the Educated are Free |
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*Farmgirl Barter™: Kombucha cultures Available |
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Kombucha cultures Available
