The SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture Of Bacteria and Yeast) is the “mother” of your brew. Without this rubbery pancake, you just have sweet tea. The good news? You don’t always need to buy one. Here are the three proven ways to acquire a SCOBY, ranked from easiest to cheapest.
1. Ask a Friend
Cost: Free
Every time you brew, a new “baby” layer grows. Brewers eventually have too many! Ask on local Facebook groups or “Buy Nothing” pages.
2. Buy One
Cost: €15 – €25
The safest, fastest option. You get a guaranteed healthy, disease-free culture shipped in strong starter liquid. Perfect for beginners.
3. Grow Your Own
Cost: €5 (Price of tea)
You can grow a SCOBY from a bottle of raw, store-bought kombucha. It takes 2-4 weeks, but it feels like a science experiment!
🧪 Deep Dive: How to Grow a SCOBY from Scratch
If you have patience and want to save money, growing your own is very satisfying. Here is the step-by-step method.
🥣 Ingredients
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1.1 Bottle Raw Kombucha: Must be unpasteurized and unflavored (Original flavor). Look for sediment at the bottom.
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2.1 Cup Black Tea: Brewed strong and sweetened with 1 tbsp sugar. Cooled to room temp.
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3.Glass Jar: A small mason jar (500ml is enough).
Pour the store-bought kombucha into your clean jar. Make sure to shake the bottle first to get all the sediment (yeast) into your jar. Add your cooled sweet tea.
Cover with a cloth and rubber band. Place in a warm, dark spot (22-25°C). Do not touch it. Movement disturbs the formation of the film.
After 3-7 days, a thin clear film will form on top. Over 2-3 weeks, this will thicken into a rubbery, white puck. Once it is 0.5cm thick, it is ready to brew!
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use flavored kombucha (like Ginger)?
It is risky. Essential oils in ginger or fruit flavorings can inhibit SCOBY growth or cause mold. “Original” or “Pure” flavor is always safest.
It looks weird and bubbly. Is it mold?
Probably not. A forming baby SCOBY looks like a cloudy, slimy film with bubbles trapped under it. Check our Mold Identification Guide to be sure.
Why did it sink to the bottom?
That’s okay! Sometimes the mother SCOBY sinks. A new “baby” will always eventually form on the surface of the liquid where the oxygen is.
Can I use Green Tea?
Yes, but SCOBYs generally grow faster and thicker with Black Tea and white sugar. Once your SCOBY is strong, you can switch to Green Tea.
I’m impatient. Where can I buy one?
If you don’t want to wait 3 weeks, you can buy a fresh organic SCOBY here. It comes with strong starter liquid so you can brew your first batch immediately.