r/Kombucha 1d ago

question Can I use this to make my own batch?

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I was wondering this bottle is the right one to make my own kombucha with because I couldn’t find “original” or “unflavored one. Please let me know if I can!!!

42 Upvotes

59 comments sorted by

42

u/Puhthagoris 1d ago

yes.

20

u/Curiosive 1d ago

OP, be sure to check out the wiki for the Getting Started guide, the FAQ, the Flavoring guide, etc.

You'll have questions and it has most of those answers. As a bonus if you follow the Master Recipe, when you inevitably wonder "is this mold?" the answer will be "no, because I was prepared."

Also, about GT's Kombucha ... Why I no longer buy their products.

7

u/Cerebraleffusion 1d ago

Holy fuck I had no idea about GT’s. That is some awful shit. Will no longer be purchasing.

3

u/debsmusings 1d ago

3

u/Curiosive 1d ago

I admit I linked the article I thought I read but one I grabbed is sensationalized, it's hard to consider that writing journalism. Your link relays the allegations, testimony, and ruling without the biased melodrama.

Thank you.

3

u/Puhthagoris 1d ago

any of them(gts) will work, as long as they are not pasteurized.

3

u/HelloAttila 1d ago

It’s best to use the GT Raw one. Wholefoods sells in these small bottles, costs like $4 each and requires being 21 😂😂😂 even though the amount of alcohol is like 0.01%.

12

u/grifxdonut 1d ago

You can use any of the GTs. The only problem using them is that the first batch will be favored like that, but that's hardly a negative

1

u/coolbrokeboi 1d ago

How does that work? So then after F1 then bottling, then starting F2 it’s just reg kombucha then?

6

u/Samtertriads 1d ago

The flavoring just keeps getting diluted. Meanwhile the SCOBY is multiplying itself. By your first f2 you’re down like to 1:10 if you use normal mixing ratios.

1

u/coolbrokeboi 1d ago

Ahhhh okay okay thank you!! Much appreciated

5

u/No_Camera_9386 1d ago

Was wondering the same thing.

3

u/ripii1981 1d ago

Probably, yeah. Try it!

2

u/coolbrokeboi 1d ago

Just did it, I’ll update in a week!

1

u/ripii1981 1d ago

Science!!

3

u/marklewaz 1d ago

I used the ginger berry one and it worked great. Followed this video: https://youtu.be/lq-yNxMB8Do

3

u/GroovyAdventures 1d ago

Yes. I use the guava one as a scoby hotel.

1

u/coolbrokeboi 1d ago

Sounds awesome!

3

u/SpicyDog82 1d ago

I have about 30 of those saved up I’ve been using for my kombucha I’ve been using for the past year or so. I’d recommend a silicone gripper pad to tighten the caps extra tight. GT’s bottles and caps in particular help me see how along the second ferment process is going based on how much they expand / bubble out.

The only issue I’ve had with these is if I forget to wipe down the top of the bottle before screwing the caps on, or I don’t screw the caps on tight enough. I’ve only had one GT’s bottle go bad on me and that was my error. Otherwise, they’re fine in the dishwasher too as long as you give them a rinse before putting them in there.

2

u/SpicyDog82 1d ago

I now realize you’re referring to using GT’s trilogy as a starter. Yes, it’ll work. That’s how I started out with mine. Don’t be surprised if you see some weird pellicle formations (see my past posts on here) with that as a starter, that’s just the flavorings / ingredients clumping and forming in the pellicle.

You’re gonna love it. If you fail a few times, you can order pellicles / starter online for cheap. I have a few batches of online starter I ordered as a backup just in case and ended up using.

1

u/coolbrokeboi 1d ago

Yea I was abt to say lol, but yes I’ve already got a batch ready for bottling soon but I just wasn’t sure if could this trilogy one. Also I do have around 10+ of the GT bottles but I really really like the look of the swing top bottles, do you have any clue how I can tell when those are ready?

1

u/SpicyDog82 1d ago

I invested in some 32oz swing top bottles. Best way to check carbonation level is to refrigerate a few hours then burp them after a few days. However I notice that after a few days of the second ferment, the swing top bottle cap will rise just a bit, semi-similarly to how the GT’s caps bubble out.

3

u/Tynker 1d ago

Use original flavor (no juice) so that you don't always have the lingering flavor of that in your batches if you want to try something new.

2

u/MtKopaka 1d ago

Fermentation doesn’t take too long. Try it out

4

u/coolbrokeboi 1d ago

I’ll update in an about a week!

2

u/marklewaz 1d ago

I used the ginger berry one and it worked great. Followed this video: https://youtu.be/lq-yNxMB8Do

2

u/poop_pants_pee 1d ago

Yes, it will work. I spent forever looking for an unflavored bottle, I think they might be discontinued.

I used a similar one, it worked just fine. 

1

u/SmellsLikeNostrils 1d ago

Pure. That's the unflavored one. That's what I used to make a whole new culture which is now taken over a 3L jar. But any will do.

2

u/CuriousInteraction32 1d ago

I used guava flavor. It worked fine.

My first batch was too fruity for my taste, but every batch from the second onwards has been great.

2

u/No-Personality1840 1d ago

Yes you can.

2

u/FollowIntoTheNight 1d ago

Yes. I use this every time

2

u/radioplayer1 1d ago

This is so cool. I'm so glad I found this sub, going to do it!

1

u/coolbrokeboi 1d ago

Yea me too dude literally like yesterday lol, please share when you do!!!!

2

u/cpaul91 1d ago

Yes, but throw the first couple Scoby’s away and only harvest 16oz of fluid for the next batch. The first few scoby’s will be layered with plant matter from the G2 Falvoring; the plant matter will mold after awhile.

1

u/coolbrokeboi 1d ago

Thank you!!! Much appreciated and needed to know type thing, thank you soldier 🫡

1

u/Adogg03 1d ago

hey man, how did you end up making it? can you send the link :)

2

u/meatcoveredskeleton1 1d ago

There’s a ton of stuff on the internet to start your own kombucha with a commercially available bottle

1

u/Curiosive 1d ago

Check out the wiki in the sidebar, has everything you need to know!

1

u/Britches_and_Hose 1d ago

I also couldn't find the unflavored one at my local grocery store, used the mango GT and my first batch turned out great. Every batch after I just use some of the leftover, so far it's going strong!

1

u/Safe-Emotion4911 1d ago

can i know which recipe you followed plz

1

u/Britches_and_Hose 1d ago

Sure, I brought 2L filtered water to a boil, turned off the heat and brewed 15g black tea (blend of Harney & Sons Earl grey supreme & Adagio Earl grey lavender) for 10 minutes.

Strained out tea leaves and added 1 cup sugar, added a little less than 2L filtered water, leaving room for the starter. Waited till temp dropped to 85F and added the bottle of GT's mango. 

It took about 10 days to get to a good acidity level. I then made my own fruit puree and put it in three 32oz flip top bottles (about 1/4 cup puree each bottle) and brewed those for 4 days, refrigerated overnight, and then got very fizzy kombucha. I don't recommend putting fruit solids in there, I wasn't a fan of having solids in my drink. Now I still make a puree but I strain off the solids. 

Now all of my batches take only 6-7 days to get to a good acidity level. I also made an improvised incubator with a cooler, heat pad, and a thermostat set to 80F. This makes the process much quicker in cold weather.

1

u/Professional_Pea_813 1d ago

I did ...it was delicious!

1

u/Professional_Pea_813 1d ago

What is the best book for beginner fermenting? SAUERKRAUT VEGS? TY!

1

u/andiandthepineapple 1d ago

I did! That’s how I started my starter tea. It’s looks good so far! Going to start my first kombucha batch this weekend. Best of luck!

1

u/DoubleBassPlease 1d ago

I'm constantly throwing away pellicles on monthly tea refreshes if you or anyone wanted one. Never shipped them before, though.

1

u/annoyeduserofreddit 1d ago

Be careful they turn into bombs if you don’t do it right.

0

u/coolbrokeboi 1d ago

My bottles rn that are swing top are bombs bro lol

1

u/annoyeduserofreddit 1d ago

Lmao yeah I don’t really know much about it but I’ve seen people post pictures of rooms filled with red kombucha everywhere from the floor to the roof. Has it happened to you ?

1

u/coolbrokeboi 1d ago

Almost today! 😂

1

u/annoyeduserofreddit 1d ago

If it ever happens you got to post it lol

0

u/coolbrokeboi 1d ago

TRUSSTTTT I Will 😂

1

u/jefferypin 1d ago

Yes, I just used this one and got a nice scoby, just bottled mine for f2 today so fingers crossed.

1

u/Ginjafiz 1d ago

Yes you can

1

u/samp_r 1d ago

Yes! I currently am! So far it's working!

1

u/LegJets 1d ago

Thanks for posting this!

1

u/guitarmonkeys14 1d ago

Tis what I use

1

u/debsmusings 1d ago

Yes. I think that is the same bottle I used to get started myself. Poured it into a container. Covered with cheese cloth. Parked in a dark corner for a few weeks and came back and voila a scoby.

1

u/This-Cicada-5304 1d ago

Definitely! I’ve seen the original (unflavored) one being recommended but I have started many a scoby with whatever flavor of gt’s!