Home made kombucha page

[ShannonCC]

So following instructions I got from a thread here, I successfully made a batch using some store bought kombucha as a starter. It's smells great and the scoby looks like it does in online pictures.

I finally tried it today and it's really sour. It's got more of a vinegar taste than the store bought stuff. But it still smells good and isn't bad, just too strong for my taste.

Can I do anything? Add sugar? Or just mix it with fruit juice or something?

[Velocity]

Well, at least for your next batch you now know to shorten your brewing time (the longer it goes, the more tart/sour it gets).

You should be able to mix it (with juice, or sugar, whatever) just fine. Don't do it for the whole batch, but every time you get some to drink...

[Kimchiqueen]

I use a couple of tablepoons of ginger juice in each bottle (I use old Kombucha bottles) and dilute the mixture with carbonated water. I do this all the time, but I have found that it works well even if I've fermented too long.

If you don't have a juicer maybe you can find a health food store that has one and buy a bit of juice there.

[Blackbird]

My homemade kombucha tastes like tangy apple cider. I like it way better than the storebought.
As Velocity said, if you leave it too long (3-4) weeks it can get pretty strong.

[beachrat]

I like it really strong. But diluting with seltzer water sounds like it might work.

Another option is to cut the first fermentation shorter but do a little bit of a secondary ferment, in whatever bottles you like, with a little fruit. I do this with one strawberry (from frozen) for a pretty big bottle, but like I said, I like it strong.

And a third option is to move to a bigger brewing jar and add more sugared tea to ferment again, only not as long the next time.

[me2]

You can also experiment with different kinds of teas. You can use white, oolong, green, and black. I listed from lightest flavor (white) to most intense (black).

[Adrianag]

Throw out half the kombucha, replenish it with fresh sweet tea. Start tasting sooner until it has the right amount of tang for you.