Our Complete Kombucha Kit is really complete. You don't need anything else. But as with every cook, brewer, fermenter, artist, hobbyists, DIY ers, more is better.
* optional Certified Organic and Premium Teas recommended for brewing great Kombucha tea with specific health benefits in mind. These are 4 ounce packages and normally will make up to 10 additional gallons of Kombucha Tea. These are premium quality. Of course you can brew kombucha with most any tea. Lipton, Red Rose, anything on sale they should all work well and have a reasonably good taste. But it really does not cost much more 1. to be healthy and 2. really have a great taste. Even spending $260 a pound for a exquisite fantastic tea it will still be about 1/2 of what you've been paying for in the store.!
* selected Herbs and Spices for extra taste and medicinal values.
Purchasing the Temperature Gauge or pH test stuff are discounted when purchased along with the Complete Kit.
* Stick on Thermometer. Keeps on eye on your brewing temperature. Our recommended temperature range is 74F to 84F. Below 74F your ferment is sluggish or non-existent. AT ~ 74F typical ferment is light and mellow. Like a Rose wine or Light Beer and ready in 14 days. At 84F your ferment is thicker and heavier like a Burgundy Wine or Stout Beer. Ready in ~ 9 days. Check out our online library. The Role of Time and Temperature in Kombucha Brewing.
* pH Testing. Kombucha starts off as Sweet Tea with a pH around 4-5. As the Kombucha ferments it becomes more acidic daily. Typically becoming a semi-sweet, semi-sour, slightly carbonated pleasant tasting sensation with a natural occurring pH typically in the of range of 2.5 to 3.5. You can drink the sweet kombucha tea at any point. It is up to you and your own personal taste preference. Don't think it has to be vinegar to be healthy. Our Kombucha 3.0 Brewing Guide is there to help you master this art. If you're planning on drinking your kombucha as soon as its ready or soon after the pH does not matter. However if you're planning on Bottling and saving for the future then we highly recommend to test the pH and be sure its below 4.0 at time of bottling.
pH range from 1-14. There are one hundred numbers between each number. Thats accurate to the hundredths. Only mad scientist need that accuracy. Paper strips are fast and easy and the least accurate. But good for the ball park. The more numbers between the numbers the more accurate. For example paper strips reading One number between 1-14 are twice as accurate (example 2.5) as those that only read the whole numbers. (for example 2). Our Digital pH meter reads to the tenths - ten numbers between the whole numbers (for example 2.01) and is ten times as accurate. And may last forever.
For fermenting and brewing the numbers from 2 to 6 are important. For personal (your own body pH) the numbers between 5 and 8 are important. We personally find the range from 2 to 9 to be most optimal for everything people will use pH for; Brewing, fermenting, water, plants, swimming pools, personal health.
To enhance the flavor and health check out our Kombucha Brewing Guide articles online
Recommended Links:
Is my Kombucha Tea safe to drink ? Kombucha Cautions and Safe Brewing article.
Look over our online gallery and with large images and descriptions of what to look for and what to avoid.
If you prefer Continuous Brewing a great start is with our Complete 2 Gallon (with spigot) Kombucha SCOBY Starter Kit