If you're a health fanatic, chances are you're always on the lookout for new ways to improve your wellbeing. And what could be more refreshing than sipping on some homemade kombucha?

Kombucha is a fermented tea that's packed full of probiotics, which are great for gut health. Plus, it's super easy to make at home—all you need is a SCOBY.

A SCOBY is a symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast, and it's what ferments the tea and gives kombucha its slightly acidic, effervescent taste.

Can You Use Green Tea to Make a SCOBY?

You might be wondering if you can use green tea to make a SCOBY, since it's such a healthy beverage. However, it's actually best to start with black tea when first growing a SCOBY.

This is because the higher level of purines in black tea provide the perfect environment for the bacteria and yeast to thrive.

Once your SCOBY is established, you can experiment with combining it with other tea types, like green or herbal tea. But to get started, stick with black tea for the most promising results.

How to Grow Your Own SCOBY

Now that you know what kind of tea to use, let's get into how to grow your own SCOBY.

First, you'll need to gather a few supplies:

  • 2 cups of sweetened black tea (you can use store-bought sweetened tea or make your own by adding 1-2 Tbsp sugar to each cup of tea)
  • 1/2 cup starter kombucha from a previous batch or from store-bought kombucha
  • A clean glass jar
  • A coffee filter or cloth napkin
  • A rubber band

Once you have all your supplies, follow these simple steps:

  1. Boil 2 cups of water and add up to 2 to 4 Tbsp of sugar (1-2Tbsp per cup of tea is recommended), stirring until the sugar has dissolved.
  2. Remove from heat and steep 4 black tea bags in the sugar water for 5-10 minutes. Then remove the tea bags and let the sweetened tea cool to room temperature.
  3. Pour the sweetened tea into your clean glass jar and add the starter kombucha. Stir gently until combined.
  4. Cover the top of the jar with a coffee filter or cloth napkin secured with a rubber band. This will allow oxygen to flow while keeping fruit flies and other critters out—trust me, you don't want them getting into your kombucha!
  5. Set the jar in a warm spot out of direct sunlight (68-85 degrees ideally) and let it sit undisturbed for 14-28 days while the SCOBY forms on top of the liquid.
  6. After 14-28 days, check on your SCOBY—it should be about 1/4 inch thick and have formed a white “skin” on top of the liquid. Congrats, you've successfully grown your own SCOBY! Now it's time to start brewing some kombucha… but that's a story for another day. ;)

Final Thoughts On Green Tea For Making A SCOBY

Whether you're new to brewing kombucha or you've been doing it for a while, this guide will help you grow your very own SCOBY using nothing but black tea and some starter kombucha liquid! In just 14-28 days, you'll have everything you need to start brewing delicious homemade kombucha right in your own kitchen! Thanks for reading and cheers to you and your homemade booch!