Step 1

Bring 1/2 gallon of water to a boil and add to a jar that's at least 1 gallon. Stir in the sugar to dissolve it completely.

Step 2

Add the tea bags and allow it to steep for 15 minutes.

Step 3

Add another roughly 1/2 gallon of cold water, (make sure you leave enough space from the top for the starter tea and the scoby) and allow it all to steep until the water has cooled completely.

Step 4

Once the tea is completely cooled, remove the tea bags.

Step 5

Stir in the starter tea and add your scoby. Cover the top of the jar with a clean dish towel and secure with an elastic.

Step 6

Place in a dark, room temperature area (mine is in a back closet, but you can also just place in a room, or cupboard) and allow the tea to ferment for 7-12 days, or until you can’t taste the sugar anymore. Check the kombucha every so often to make sure it's fermenting properly and there aren't any fruit flies or mold.

Step 7

You can begin tasting the Kombucha after 7 days. I use a straw, or you can pour out a tiny bit into a glass. When tastes tart and a bit sweet you're good to bottle!

Step 8

To bottle, prepare more tea by following steps 1-This is going to be your next batch! Again, make sure it's cooled completely.

Step 9

Clean your hand thoroughly and transfer the scoby and 1 cup of the fermented tea to the jar with the new tea.

Step 10

Depending on the size of your bottles, sterilize 7-10 glass bottles with flip tops. And allow them to cool completely.

Step 11

Add 2 shot glasses full of orange juice to each clean bottle using a funnel, leaving about an inch and a half of room from the top, and seal with the flip top.

Step 12

Store the bottled kombucha in a dark, room temperature area and allow to ferment again for 3-6 days, or until you see a small scoby form on the top, and you reach your desired carbonation. You will get a feel for how carbonated you like your kombucha after a few tries.

Step 13

Place them in the fridge to stop the fermentation process, and drink when chilled!

Step 14

Repeat with your next batch!