Making Scoby from nothing... My experiment

[noblex]

Hello!
I want to make Kombucha but find a scoby starter where I live is simply a no option. Well, so I read an analysis of scoby and found out it contains:

Acetobacter [2] is an aerobic (requiring oxygen) bacteria strain that produces acetic acid and gluconic acid. It is always found in kombucha. Acetobacter strains also build the scoby mushroom. Acetobacter xylinoides and acetobacter ketogenum are two strains that you might find in kombucha.
Saccharomyces [2] includes a number of yeast strains that produce alcohol and are the most common types of yeast found in kombucha. They can be aerobic or anaerobic (requires an oxygen-free environment). They include Saccharomycodes ludwigii, Saccharomycodes apiculatus, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, Zygosaccharomyes, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
Brettanomyces [2] is another type of yeast strain, either aerobic or anaerobic, that are commonly found in kombucha and produce alcohol or acetic acid.
Lactobacillus [2]: A type of aerobic bacteria that is sometimes, but not always, found in kombucha. It produces lactic acid and slime.
Pediococcus [2]: These anaerobic bacteria produce lactic acid and slime. They are sometimes, but not always, found in kombucha.
Gluconacetobacter kombuchae [2] is an anaerobic bacteria that is unique to kombucha. It feeds on nitrogen that is found in tea and produces acetic acid and gluconic acid, as well as building the scoby.
Zygosaccharomyces kombuchaensis [3] is a yeast strain that is unique to kombucha. It produces alcohol and carbonation as well as contributing to the mushroom body.

From this extract I was wondering, could I make my own scoby-like stuff? It wont be perfect but... who cares, we're experimenting
I'm trying mixing:

• Water, sugar and tea (of course)
• A teaspoon of dry wine yeast (for Saccaromyces cerevisae)
• A shot of white apple vinegar (for Acetobacter)
• Some fresh grapes and/or apple skin (for a whole mix of other Saccaromyces and Brettanomices
• A teaspoon of probiotics ferment (do you know Yovis) which should contain a plenty of Lactobacillus and stuff

What do you think? I'll update

 

[Gavin C]

Or you could buy a bottle of kombucha for $4 and have all the microbes you need right there. An ideal solution to meet your needs. Your starter tea.

I did this and it worked great. A SCOBY is not needed to get started.

I followed this great how-to from @hunter_le five

Best of luck.

 

[noblex]

I forgot to mention. In Italy, Kombucha doesn't exist as well as scoby starter

 

[bernardsmith]

SCOBY is a single organism (think human being) that is made up of other organisms. If you can create a unique organism then you can create a SCOBY but I think what you might be doing is simply creating a pool of different organisms. They might produce kombucha or they might produce vinegar or something unpalatable. Certainly, what I might find is that over a relatively short time some of those organisms are going to reproduce faster than others , some are going to compete with others, some are going to out-compete others and so your stew of organisms is going to be changing as some will die out while others will thrive (or not). A SCOBY means that the organisms that make up the SCOBY are symbiotically related. They each provide something for the other, in much the same way, your heart does not compete with your brain or the lungs for nutrients.
But that said, I use kefir grains (also a kind of SCOBY) to make kefir but commercial kefir is made, I think, by doing what you are doing (this to prevent the possibility that the kefir sold in stores will have enough alcohol for the store to need a license, and for those buying the product to have to show ID)
But those commercial kefir makers know that their bacteria and yeasts need to be constantly refreshed and replaced because over time the make up of the population changes...

 

[Gavin C]

I forgot to mention. In Italy, Kombucha doesn't exist as well as scoby starter

Amazon Italy has lots of options for you it seems

Here is one. (I think, My Italian is spotty)

 

[CascadeOK]

Although the amazon route seems easiest, I must say I'm curious what your results are if you decide to create your own scoby. Please update if you do

 

[noblex]

Amazon Italy has lots of options for you it seems

Here is one. (I think, My Italian is spotty)

Mmm, not bad at all, if not for the price 30€ (with shipping)
It costs more than making mead just for the starter

My starter experiment is a 1€ stuff.

PS: the image included was spanish, not italian

 

[Gavin C]

Mmm, not bad at all, if not for the price 30€ (with shipping)
It costs more than making mead just for the starter

My starter experiment is a 1€ stuff.

PS: the image included was spanish, not italian

My Spanish is also less than stellar.

Best of luck with your experimentation.

There were also some restaurants in Italy that serve Kombucha (at least according to my brief google). Maybe they'd be happy to share a SCOBY or mail you some Kombucha. Bound to be some home kombucheries in Italy too. I'd explore that too via social media or an Italian homebrewing site if one exists.

Certainly not as fun as what your planning though. Hope it works out for you.

Ciao!

 

[sculrow]

Did you complete your experiment ?