What does a growing Kombucha mushroom look like ?

Having not brewed kombucha tea before, many people ask us what the kombucha mushroom looks like as it is brewing.
In the photos below are signs to look for to know if the kombucha is viable and growing correctly. The following photos, we hope,
will assist you in brewing your first batch of this wonderful pro-biotic cultured health tonic.
The cultures used in the photos are grown with organic sugar and tea, and are kept at an average of 80 degrees F.
Correct temperature plays one of the biggest roles in successful Kombu Cha brewing!(cha means tea)

BUY KOMBUCHA

Because we use only organic tea
and organic sugar for our brewing
process, we believe this makes
our cultures some of the purest,
giving them extra strength,
vitality, and enhances their
beneficial properties!

A kombucha brewing cycle takes from 7 to 14 days.

~ Back to Top ~

This web page, design, and images are the property of organic-kombucha.com, copyright 2006-2008. Copyright protected under state, national, and international laws. All right reserved.
To contact the webmaster please email - webmaster@organic-kombucha.com

Organic-Kombucha.com

Your source for organic kombucha products, starter kits, and mushroom cultures

carbonic gas forming under kombucha bacteria culture

Kombu Cha 2-3 Days
Click on any photo to enlarge

Kombu Cha 3-5 Days
Click on any photo to enlarge

Kombu Cha 5-8 Days
Click on any photo to enlarge

Kombu Cha 7 to 14 Days
Click on any photo to enlarge

When cultured at 80 deg F, we see signs of growth
on the second to third day. Signs of a thin
translucent film or jelly-like layer appear on top of
the tea solution. An important reason not to
disturb the growing mushroom cultures.

By the end of the third day and the next few days
the kombucha mushroom will start to thicken and
turn from translucent to a cream coloured mass.
Notice in the photo how parts of the culture are
thicker in spots than in others.

As the brewing cycle passes the half way point,
the mushroom culture continues to thicken.
Notice the carbonic acid bubbles forming under the
culture or S.C.O.B.Y. - symbiotic culture of
bacteria and yeast

Close-up of Gases Build Up
Click on any photo to enlarge

Mushroom Brewing Complete
Click on any photo to enlarge

The kombucha tea brewing cycle is completed.
The culture has formed completely and the tea is
now ready to test for drinking and bottling.

The pH should read very close to 3.0 pH

Here is a close-up of gases and CO2. This is a
good sign early on that conditions are prime for
the kombucha. With just a few days growth we
have a nice layer forming and the gases indicate
that the yeast are actively converting sugars.

A side view of the kombucha culture growing in a
gallon size container. The mushroom is 1/4 inch
thick and is very nice cream colour. This tea
brewed at a slower yeast conversion rate meaning
less bubbles and a more uniform mushroom.
Notice the writing on the side, always date each
batch of tea.