Water kefir grains and/or SCOBY? Using raw kombucha ... ?'s

[MyLittleWonders]

Does anyone have any extra water kefir grains to share? Also, does anyone have a SCOBY to share?

Also ... (full of questions!), has anyone tried to make their first batch of kombucha using store-bought raw (GT's Raw) kombucha, as it seems to have at least parts of the SCOBY in it. I was thinking of trying it, but was afraid it might not turn out but that I wouldn't know it didn't turn out, and then get sick drinking yucky tea that's been sitting on the counter for a week. :

Thanks!

[cobluegirl]

I have scoby's. I have heard though that you can start a batch with the raw stuff from the store..you could always try it..you would have nothing to lose.

[MyLittleWonders]

I'm going to try tomorrow if I can find a big enough jar/bottle to make it in. How will I know if it is okay to drink? Will there be a tell-tale smell/taste that would say it isn't right?

[cobluegirl]

I am not sure it really goes bad..it would just taste like vinegar.

[Vaquitita]

i've grown my scoby from gt's kombucha and it works fine. my kombucha doesn't taste the same but i'm still experimenting to see what kind of tea i like best. unfortunately some flies got to my scoby while i was out of town for a week so i have to start all over...

[moneca]

I just received my first scoby from Happy Herbalist. He has a large amount of information complete with pictures in the library section at the bottom left of his page :

http://www.happyherbalist.com/