Ack. I don't really like kombucha. UPDATE post 21

[babygrant]

I'm brewing my kombucha with black tea, and I have to admit, I don't really like it. I HATE beer and it reminds me of beer. I have kept drinking 1/2 glass of it in the AM because of the health benefits, and this newest batch I am brewing I am doing green tea hoping maybe it'll be a bit less beery.

Anyone else?

[Pinky Tuscadero]

I can't stand it but I don't like most fermented stuff. I try to eat sauerkraut regularly because it's about the only fermented food I really like. I wish I liked more. I keep trying but I just can't stand them. I'm not really even crazy about sourdough breads. Sad.

[WildIris]

I hate beer, too, but I love kombucha. However, I've only had flavored kombucha made with green tea. Maybe it tastes different/stronger when made with all black tea? Or when it's unflavored? Do you flavor yours with anything? How long do you let it brew?

Overall I'd say if you don't like it, don't drink it. Even though it has health benefits, maybe it's not the right thing for you.

Iris

[babygrant]

My very first batch I put a chunk of ginger in it and let it go for 10 days. ICK. 2nd batch I let it go for 7 days and still ICK. This next batch I just started last night but I used green tea and I'll let it go for probably 6 days and see how it is.

[gina2328]

How about adding different flavored juices and/or water to it?

What about putting some of your kombucha in a jar for a second ferment and adding berries and letting it sit for a day or two and taking on the flavor of the berries and drinking it then?

My kombucha never tasted like beer to me, just like apple cider. I never let it go past 7-8 days. I also only used black tea.

[Mrshawwk]

I've found that making it with 3 bags green tea and two black, the taste is much milder, but you're still able to use the black tea for its benefits.

Also, lemon and cranberry juice perk it up quite a bit. I love my kombucha made with straight black tea, but it took me a while to get used to it.

[bigknitwit]

I don't like it either. I've let me scoby rot in the fridge because I couldn't bring myself to make another batch. I was making it with all black tea. I wonder if I should try it with green. Do you generally add the juice to it just befor eyou drink the tea, or do you let it ferment with the tea? Maybe I should try again.

[spughy]

It's been about 10 years since I had any kombucha, but I recall it tasting like apple cider vinegar (on a continuum between tangy sweet tea and vinegar, actually). I would never have said it tasted like beer... maybe there are different strains of kombucha??? babygrant, I will totally take you up on your offer to send me a kombucha-baby I like beer anyway. (Oh and I'll ship your kefir grains tomorrow.)

[gina2328]

I am curious what recipe do you use? I only let my tea bags soak for 10-12 minutes. I have seen some recipes where they steep until the water is cool but that seems too long to me.

I absolutely detest beer and could never drink it if I detected any beer flavor to kombucha.

[babygrant]

I take 4 cups of water, 3 black tea bags, let steep for 15 minutes, then let the water cool to room temp, add the starter tea and scoby, and let it sit covered with a coffee filter for 7ish days.

[gina2328]

Originally Posted by babygrant

I take 4 cups of water, 3 black tea bags, let steep for 15 minutes, then let the water cool to room temp, add the starter tea and scoby, and let it sit covered with a coffee filter for 7ish days.

My ratio is 3 quarts of water to 4 tea bags. Are you adding 1 cup of white sugar to boiling water and let it simmer and stir for 5 minutes? I don't see that in your recipe and your scoby needs the sugar to feed on to be healthy and to produce all the healthy nutrients for the kombucha tea.

[WildIris]

Yes, if you are leaving out the sugar, no wonder it tastes bad.

[babygrant]

Originally Posted by gina2328

My ratio is 3 quarts of water to 4 tea bags. Are you adding 1 cup of white sugar to boiling water and let it simmer and stir for 5 minutes? I don't see that in your recipe and your scoby needs the sugar to feed on to be healthy and to produce all the healthy nutrients for the kombucha tea.

OOPS! Yes. I am adding sugar. Only about 1/4 cup though. Maybe I"m just not adding enough sugar!

[Leilalu]

Originally Posted by babygrant

OOPS! Yes. I am adding sugar. Only about 1/4 cup though. Maybe I"m just not adding enough sugar!

You have to add more sugar! The scoby needs somethign to feast on. Also, I have ben making mine with a strong brew of irish breakfast tea, and it taste quite different than a green tea brew would. I think I may go with a jasmine brew next time. If in doubt, add more sugar, not less.

[babygrant]

Okay, next batch I"ll add more water. I only use about 4 cups of water right now. Should I be using more water then too? I'll need to buy a bigger jar.

[gina2328]

Originally Posted by babygrant

Okay, next batch I"ll add more water. I only use about 4 cups of water right now. Should I be using more water then too? I'll need to buy a bigger jar.

I have 1 gallon size jars that I bought from Target. They are anchor hocking brand. I cover my jars with inexpensive cotton handkercheifs. I tried filters and paper towels but found I am more comfortable with the hankies.

[TripMom]

I love it. But have never made it - just the store bought stuff. Yummmy

[batsoup]

My latest (about my 5th) batch is yummy! 1 gallon water, 5 green teabags steeped 15 minutes. Add 1 3/4 cups sugar (I hear white is best, but i had been using raw). Fermented for 7 days on top of the fridge. I'd been letting mine sit for way too long, and yuck!! turned my stomach. Try again!! It can be quite nice in a fizzy tart kind of way.

[WildIris]

Originally Posted by babygrant

Okay, next batch I"ll add more water. I only use about 4 cups of water right now. Should I be using more water then too? I'll need to buy a bigger jar.

I use 3 quarts of water, 1 cup organic white sugar, and about 5 teabags--usually organic green tea. Sometimes I put in a few black tea bags also; last batch was 3 green tea + 2 black tea bags, and that turned out well.

Good luck!

Iris

[homemommy]

My kombucha turns out really sour if I let it ferment too long. When that happens I buy apple juice at the health food store and use that to sweeten it up a bit when I make a glass. It tastes a lot like apple cider (instead of apple cider vinegar).