HELP!! Does my SCOBY have mold???

[amanda_renee]

Hi! Newbie brewer here!
I just finished the first fermentation of my first batch of kombucha, but these white spots on my SCOBY are really worrying me...are they mold or is this normal?
Thanks!

 

[RPh_Guy]

That doesn't look like mold. However, the photo is a little blurry.

Inspect closely. Mold is fuzzy or hairy.

Welcome to HBT!

 

[amanda_renee]

I was picking it up and I didn’t feel any fuzz, so maybe it’s not?
Thanks!

 

[amanda_renee]

That doesn't look like mold. However, the photo is a little blurry.

Inspect closely. Mold is fuzzy or hairy.

Welcome to HBT!

So....if it’s not mold, then what could it be? I’ve seen some pictures that look just like my SCOBY on another forum and the people were saying to pitch it. But they didn’t say WHY?
.

 

[RPh_Guy]

FYI, mold does "feel" fuzzy, you need to look closely at it. It can range from slightly fuzzy like a peach to huge hairy formations like cotton candy or fur.

Assuming it's not mold, then it's yeast and/or bacteria -- the "B" and "Y" in SCOBY.

The SCOBY has a diverse population of microbes, and it evolves to some degree over time due to changes in condition and very lax sanitation practices used in kombucha production. That's why everyone's pellicle looks a bit different.

Mold is the only thing you need to fear, because mold is allergenic and may produce toxins and/or carcinogens.

There is a lot of bad advice out there on the web. Why should you believe what I say? I have professional training in chemistry, organic chemistry, biology, medical microbiology, and toxicology, as well as a keen interest and experience in wild fermentations like kombucha.

Cheers