Recipe: Black Tea Kombucha

Making your own kombucha at home is easy and fun, and black tea kombucha is a great recipe to try if you're just starting out. The process is simpler than you might expect. Begin by brewing a batch of black tea with sugar, and let the tea steep while it cools. Once the tea is at room temperature, you'll top with water, add a SCOBY, cover it up, and let it ferment for 7-10 days.

What is a SCOBY?

A SCOBY (which stands for Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast) is the living culture that transforms sugary tea into delicious probiotic-rich kombucha during fermentation. Our Kombucha Making Kit comes with a fully hydrated SCOBY that's in starter liquid, so it's ready to use right away (as opposed to a dehydrated SCOBY). And the best part is that your SCOBY can be used over and over again to make endless batches of kombucha. 

How does black tea kombucha taste?

Black tea is known for its strong bold flavor, and some of that will carry over into your black tea kombucha. The finished product will maintain a bit of that robust, fragrant flavor, paired with the slightly sour tang of kombucha. It's a tasty combination. It’s also the perfect base for adding fruits, spices, and other flavors you might want to try. 

Once you start making kombucha, there are endless opportunities for customization and experimentation. For tons of recipes, inspiration, and helpful tips, definitely check out our book, The FarmSteady Guide to Kombucha.