How do I make a SCOBY hotel to store extra SCOBYs long-term?

Question

How do you make a long-term SCOBY hotel? Learn the simple process for storing extra SCOBYs in a large jar so they stay healthy for months or even years.

Answer 1

A SCOBY hotel is created by placing extra SCOBYs in a jar with mature starter tea and sugar, ensuring they are submerged, and storing it in a cool, dark place. This allows you to keep backup SCOBYs or manage excess growth.

Detailed Explanation:

Creating a SCOBY hotel is a simple process that allows you to store extra SCOBYs for future use or to manage the growth of your kombucha culture. Here's a step-by-step guide:

1. Prepare Your Jar: Choose a clean, glass jar that is large enough to hold your SCOBYs and enough liquid to cover them. Sterilizing the jar is recommended but not always necessary if it's thoroughly cleaned with soap and hot water.

2. Gather Your SCOBYs: Collect the SCOBYs you want to store. These can be extra SCOBYs that have formed in your kombucha brewing vessel or SCOBYs you've intentionally grown for backup.

3. Prepare the Starter Tea: You'll need mature starter tea from a previous batch of kombucha. This tea should be strong and vinegary. If you don't have enough starter tea, you can brew a small batch of kombucha specifically for this purpose, letting it ferment longer than usual to increase its acidity.

4. Add Sugar: Dissolve 1 tablespoon of sugar per cup of starter tea. This provides a small amount of food for the SCOBYs to keep them healthy.

5. Combine SCOBYs and Starter Tea: Place the SCOBYs in the jar and pour the sweetened starter tea over them, ensuring they are completely submerged. The liquid level should be at least an inch above the top SCOBY.

6. Cover the Jar: Cover the jar with a breathable cloth (like cheesecloth or a coffee filter) secured with a rubber band. This allows air circulation while preventing fruit flies and other contaminants from entering.

7. Store the Hotel: Store the SCOBY hotel in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures. A pantry or cupboard is ideal. The temperature should ideally be between 65-75°F (18-24°C).

8. Maintenance: Check the SCOBY hotel periodically (every few weeks). If the liquid level drops significantly, add more sweetened starter tea. If mold appears, discard the entire contents and start over with a new SCOBY and fresh starter tea.

Pro Tip:

To prevent mold growth in your SCOBY hotel, ensure the pH of the liquid is sufficiently acidic. A pH of 4.5 or lower is ideal. You can test the pH using pH strips. If the pH is too high, add a small amount of distilled white vinegar to the starter tea.