I’ve been a serious Kombucha drinker for some years now and started making my own in 2013, partly to save money as store bought Kombucha runs about $3-4$ per 12 oz. bottle, as opposed to around $.50/gallon to make it yourself, but also because it’s just big nerdy fun to make a bunch of tea, stick a gelatinous frisbee thing in it and end up with some weird, fizzy lifting drink that Genghis Khan drank and that might have alien origins.
So because I love translating stuff I’m excited about into fun and practical infographics for my Foolish Fire readers, I began executing the one below so anyone interested in how to make this wonderful elixir of life would not just have another cute piece of hand-executed artwork but an honest to goodness at-a-glance reference, kinda like the Egg Guide and Fruit Sticker infographic. But then…
…the project got away from me. I really thought “6 steps” would end up being a manageable size for an infographic, after all infographics are typically long, but I’m afraid this one, when all was said and hand-lettered, weighs in at 73 inches deep x 8 inches wide!! Taller than me, truth be told. When the high-res version was finally finished, I went to generate the web version and checked the Image Size in Photoshop and almost fell out of my Herman Miller onto the floor laughing.
So I apologize to anyone who now has to figure out how to actually use this thing. In a web browser, I should provide complimentary bandaids to protect index fingers from scroll wheel overuse, cuz damn, it really takes five minutes to get to the bottom. I tried reducing the width but legibility quickly went south.
In print form, it requires 8 sheets of letter-sized paper that will have to be stitched together (maybe I should have included a ruler grid along the sidebar so it can double as growth chart for your kids.)
If this thing doesn’t break Pinterest I’ll be curious to see if anyone re-pins it. The Egg and Fruit sticker graphic have done quite well but a) I’m not enough people really know or care about Kombucha to bother reading it, and b) it’ll look like a piece of moldy fettuccine in the feed. Muolto estupido.
To any aspiring DIY Kombucha makers…there are some vastly more practical ebook format, PDF guides on www.kombuchakamp.com and www.culturesforhealth.com.
To any aspiring graphic designers, consider the usability of your projects before executing.
To any aspiring illustrators with a bug up your butt idea you just have to share with the world, a few pens and a lot of paper, what the hell…onward and downward!
I use a glass gallon jar that I have painted the outside with black chalkboard paint. It keeps the kambucha in the dark and I can write on the outside with chalk the date of that particular batch. I love kombucha with my smoothies in the morning.
Awesome idea! Thanks for sharing.
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Love your illustration/graphics! My kombucha has been alive and well and ‘brewing’ for >18 months on my kitchen counter! I’ve shared many ‘mothers’ and converts along the way!
I just started making Kombucha I’m on my 3rd batch
I didn’t know about the new baby scoby forming but I definitely wondered if that happens Bc I see a lot of layers
I’ve just wondered about the mother n proper care of it between batches
N how to know if somethg went wrong
Bc I went longer on my batch sit time to 30 days
But I drank tht whole batch so it wasn’t harmful
Thank you
Correction to your info graphic. Chernobyl is NOT located in Russia. It is located Ukraine, in the Kiev (capital city of Ukraine) region . Please amend this.
Corrected. Thanks for catching. We use “Russia” too casually over here sometimes. Even during the Soviet era, Ukraine was a discreet geographical entity.
A kiwi friend of mine suggested that I look into kombucha. Your infographic is much appreciated and very well done. I’ll give it a try. Wish me luck!
How do I print this on order for it to print correctly?
I have a batch brewing on the counter now but a little unsure how to use it and how much to drink at the first go.
If you’re not used to the flavor of Kombucha it can be an acquired taste. You can start by using it in a spritzer or mix it with ice tea. How much to drink for health benefits is a highly personal thing but I drink around 16-24 oz. per day.
I love this post and followed your precise directions and have two beautiful batches in the second fermentation stage. I even obtained my SCOBY from a hippie! ???
Far out man!
I want to start making Kombucha, I have a question about the scoby, is it reused and how do you store it? Other than that I think I can do this. Can I make a half gallon at a time cutting recipe in half? Thank you
Yes, you can re-use the scoby multiple times. They’re best kept in “hotel” comprised of sweetened tea and a little white vinegar or plain Kombucha. https://www.kombuchakamp.com/scoby-hotel-maintenance. Best to keep them at room temp, in a glass jar. I keep mine airtight but some makers cover the jar with a cloth, like during the fermentation process. Don’t refrigerate. Refrigeration helps retard fermentation but also can disguise a mold infestation. Remember, though, with every batch you make, you’re adding a new scoby to your “collection”. After several batches your hotel may become unwieldy, so besides giving them away to other Kombuchistas, you can use them in the garden, compost them or use them in lots of recipes. And yes, you can certainly halve this recipe. Good luck!
I will be going to visit my sister and want to make Kombucha there. My scoby has divided. Can I take part of it and travel two days with it in my vehicle. If so, should I keep it cool?
Sure. Put your scoby in a glass jar and cover it with sweet tea and it should be fine for trip. If it’s warm, put the jar in a cooler. Cheers!
Just received my first scoby from a friend last night…so excited and a little nervous to be honest. This graphic has really given me the confidence to get started, My husband and I love kombucha.
First, I LOVE your infographic!!! It caught my eye and made me look into kombucha. So, per your directions, I ordered my first momma Scoby (I’m calling her Pam). I made her some sweet tea and out her in her new home. Let the wait on begin!!! I’m so excited to try my brew!
Thank you so much and please make a lot more infographics!
Steph
I’m sorry for my typo’s this phone auto corrects things that don’t need correcting as it sends. 🙁 It likes to make me look drunk. Which I promise I am not!!!
Hey, no judgement. 🙂 And thanks for the kind words.
You drew this? This is so great! I love it. I will definitely save this and pull it up later when I decide to pull the trigger on another batch of kombucha! Thank you for this great infographic, its almost nostalgic in a school house rock sort of way!
Perfect infographic, perfect to get a novice “kombuchista” started on the brewing journey. Thanks!
Embarking on my maiden batch of kombucha…excited to taste it and share “baby” scobies with friends!
Hello! I have been brewing kombucha for a few months and love this info graph! I send it to all of my friends who are interested in making their own kombucha and receive their first baby scoby from me :).
Now I’m just wondering, do you have the continuous brew info graph ready too? I couldn’t find it!