Look on the web! There are many places on line that sell kombucha SCOBIES and starter tea. Check out: http://www.happyherbalist.com/kombuchamushroomstarterkits.aspx
Ask around! Maybe someone you know is already brewing kombucha and can give you an extra SCOBY.
Make your own!
1. Purchase a bottle of plain kombucha tea from your local health food store
2. Empty the bottle into a large glass jar
3. Cover the jar with a cloth (like a dinner napkin) and secure it with a rubber band
4. Leave it undisturbed in a warm dark place for approximately 30 days
5. Make sure it is in a place that has good air circulation
In general, if you start with a bottle of store bought kombucha or a SCOBY what you will see first is a layer of "scum" that develops. This is normal.
The "scum" will get thicker each day. The "scum" looks cream and white and has somewhat of a shine to it. If you see green fuzz then it is probably mold. If mold should develop then you have to toss out the kombucha batch and try again. I have only ever had two small mold incidents in 3 years. The Happy Herbalist website has some great photos of kombucha SCOBIES and mold: http://www.happyherbalist.com/gallery.htm
Each time you make a batch of kombucha a new layer of SCOBY develops (the baby) on top of the mother. You can keep the baby SCOBIES, give them to your friends, or toss them in the compost. The mother SCOBY eventually gets quite thick if you don't separate them. This is OK. I always keep a few mother SCOBIES in the SCOBY motel (a.k.a. a large jar) just in case something fails in my current brew. See photo below.
Email me. I am happy to answer any questions about brewing kombucha!
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