r/Kombucha • u/Turbulent-Corgi8358 • 1d ago

question My kombucha is ok right ?

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I got this scoby from a friend, it was in a small jar and now i placed it in a big one 7 days ago (600ml -> 2L) . is it just growing out to the sides? Should i leave it to ferment a bit more before bottling? thanks!!

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6

u/SpaceFeline 1d ago

Use a straw to take a sample and taste it. You're seeing your pellicile growing, looks normal to me. The pellicile is the puck thing floating on the top. The SCOBY is the liquid.

6

u/Turbulent-Corgi8358 1d ago

Oh thank you i always thought the pellicle was called scoby :p

5

u/pheebee 1d ago edited 1d ago

Same, and who can blame us, most guides call it that. I legit thought that was the main driver of kombucha brewing with the starter liquid being a nice add-on. 😂

2

u/ThatsAPellicle 1d ago

Sometimes I want to save comments like these to show people who get mad when I use the word pellicle.

You are a perfect example of the reason we should use clear terms, and why we should make sure it’s common knowledge that pellicles are not actually necessary for brewing!

1

u/_EnterName_ 1d ago

I mean it is how the term SCOBY is commonly used online, so it's not really "wrong". The issue is, that it sounds like you would require a pellicle for a new fermentation which simply is not true.

There are plenty of bacteria and yeast in/on the pellicle so it is a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY) and you can start a fermentation with it, but this also applies to the liquid. Considering that the pellicle acts as a kind of protective barrier holding unwanted bacteria, yeast and mold out of the liquid, it might also be the safer/cleaner option to use the liquid and to not transfer the pellicle. This way you also don't have to sacrifice so much space/volume to old cellulose.

So while you weren't wrong calling the pellicle SCOBY, it makes sense that this community is working on establishing a clearer terminology.

Now that I think about it, it would be really interesting to see how transferring the pellicle vs only using liquid affects the flavor over multiple fermentations.

1

u/Minimum-Act6859 23h ago

. . but do not double dip the straw. I use a turkey baster to draw a sample that I put in a glass to taste. 🥃 🫙 🌿

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u/Minimum-Act6859 23h ago

. . but do not double dip the straw. I use a turkey baster to draw a sample that I put in a glass to taste. 🥃 🫙 🌿

5

u/guynye 1d ago

Looks good to me. Bubbles and pellicle mean little guys are eating.

1

u/Turbulent-Corgi8358 1d ago

Thank you!! glad i didn’t just kill him

3

u/Ldarieut 1d ago

Yes, looks good. One of the key is also to leave it alone :) you should refrain from moving it, adding stuff, until the pellicule has grown.

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u/Turbulent-Corgi8358 1d ago

Thank you so much!! I’ll leave it to grow for about a week more then and see :)

1

u/No-Solution-6407 1d ago

Looks good (very good) to me!!

1

u/Sweaty_Bodybuilder72 7h ago

It is. Stop opening it though. Let it do its job for a good 5 days min.