Well, I received my new SCOBY from Laurel Farms.
She is quite pretty and heart shaped (aaaaaw

).
I spent an afternoon on the telephone last week with Betsy, quizzing her about various short cuts. I've gone over all of the material she sent me, plus the section on safety and how to make Kombucha tea in her book (
Kombucha Phenomenon The Miracle Health Tea, Second Edition, Pryor & Holst ISBN 1-887263-11-X).
I learned more about Betsy, her background and how she developed the procedures that she teaches.
The bottom line is at every turn when I wanted to think that a method was just too much trouble, I discovered that there was a valid reason for it. The lady just ain't whistling Dixie. I did some internet searches to investigate some of her claims, even reading some FDA reports.
All of that, plus the fact that she is disgustingly vibrant, sharp as a tack, terribly friendly and
likable . . .
She even encourages you to give your extra SCOBYs away (after caring for them properly). She isn't interested in cornering the market and speaks highly of others who follow safe practices.
Let's just say I found more reasons to stay within her guidelines than to stray.
We just can't afford to end up with a yeast patty making vinegar at my house.
We really NEED the benefits of Kombucha. Besides, if I'm feeding a culture, I want to make sure it's worth the trouble and time I take to feed the thing.
I now have an information document that is several pages long, broken into several short sections. It covers the following information, but I am still proofing it.
INTRODUCTIONWhat to Wash
Harvesting Area
The Bonnets
Brewing & Storage Containers – WHAT NOT TO USE
Brewing & Storage Containers – WHAT TO USE
Metal Around the SCOBY
Acryllic Nails
METHODSHow to Brew Feeder Tea
SCOBY Care While Feeder Tea Cools
Starter Tea
Where to Grow/Store/Brew
Temperatures for Culturing
How Long Until Harvest
Sweetening the Kombucha
When to Retire a Mother
Sunlight
PRECAUTIONSWater (why distilled?)
Ozone Air Purifiers
Freezing SCOBYs
FDA
QUESTIONSHow can I tell if SCOBY is healthy?
But I don’t want caffeine and sugar!
Can I taste the tea while it’s culturing?
Holes, Bumps and Boogers
Which side is the top?
It’s been more than 2 hours and my feeder tea isn’t cool enough!
Quick Cool Tips
How much tea will this make?
What should I do with extra SCOBYs?
Mother Storage During Vacation
Shipping
Expiration on the Tea
Can I drink Kombucha hot?
Heating Trays, Mats, and Pads
Mamas & Babies – Which is Which?
Stacking SCOBYs
Storage in Plastic
Using Honey Instead of Processed Beet or Cane Sugar
Why no herbal teas?
Why Black Tea?
Why Lipton?
Kombucha Retailers
ProNatura
G.T. Synergy
Culture for 30 Days?
Why are they able to bottle?
Why does mine taste different?
Culturing from G.T.
TROUBLESHOOTINGPhases of the Moon, Seasons of the Year
When SCOBY Doesn’t Float
Thin Babies
Mold
Contaminated SCOBYs
WATER DISTILLERWe've started distilling our own water with a stovetop model (non-electric). We invested in this model because it doesn't require electricity. It's the
WaterWise Model 1600. We couldn't afford the retail on the unit, so I called the manufacturer. I discovered that sometimes they have units that get dented or scratched in the shipping process which they cannot place with their retailers. I had my name placed on a waiting list and was able to purchase my model at MUCH less than retail with the warranty. However, this is only for those who are going to be around to monitor the unit while it is working. You don't want to leave it working while it is unmonitored.