kombucha, does tea volume affect brewing time?

[maptome]

DP and I are in disagreement over this one. If we have a scoby and a constant amount of "starter" liquid, will it take more time to make 2 gallons of kombucha versus 1 gallon? A scientific explanation would be great! ETA: anecdotal evidence is also greatly appreciated.

[Feb2003]

ok, well, I'm not sure I qualify to give a thorough scientific explanation , but as someone who's been brewing for years (and has a degree in Biology and took plenty of organic chem...)...

In my experience the % starter in the total volume does make a difference. So if you have the same size scoby and the same amt of starter and start a 2 gal batch and a 1 gal batch side by side, the 1 gal batch has a higher % starter and will brew faster. The scoby is the visible culture, but the starter fluid also has culture in it (suspended or loose) and all that bacteria and yeast will take longer to use up all the sweet tea in the larger batch.

I hope that helps.