Scobys have gone AWOL!

[grrickar]

So I ordered two scobys (scobies? scobi? what is plural for scoby?) from a vendor called Poseymom on Amazon. Shipped quickly, Amazon alerted me their were in my mailbox so I check - no scoby. Call the PO, and they were not very helpful. So perhaps my scoby will show tomorrow, after being ridden around yet another day in a hot US Mail Jeep. How resilient are they? I had my jars all ready to start them up tonight.

Per the vendor, they ship with starter, and they look to be fairly large. Feedback was good so I think I am ok, I just hope they aren't tired and weak when they get here.

 

[ericbw]

Depending on the weather where you are, they seem to be pretty resilient. You might start with a small batch (like half gallon) and see if it's alive. You probably won't know until you brew for a week or so and see if it's getting sour.

That's a little disturbing that Amazon said it was delivered if it wasn't there. Maybe check the back porch? Check the neighbors? Sometimes mistakes happen.

 

[sleepspeaking]

Yeah, I'd say that when you get it, pamper it for a batch or two. If it was packaged in starter, and is a decent size, it should be salvageable. Just pay attention to cleanliness and temperatures. I'd bet it works out fine.

 

[grrickar]

No Scobys yet, but the mail has not ran. Incidentally I got another delivery notice this morning. USPS was carrier, they likely had it in the truck but did not deliver yesterday, rescanned this morning. I hope to get them today. I plan to use some bagged tea to get them going, then switch more to my loose teas.

I have had commercial examples of booch, and the result I would like to have is that of the 'Bucha brand. I tried another brand and it was way too vinegary for my tastebuds.

With any luck my scobys will arrive today, so I can start my new hobby. I have brewed beer for some time, and have always been finicky about my tea - now I can merge those two hobbies into one!

 

[ericbw]

Are they leaving notes on the door? Or are you supposed to sign for it?

 

[PlexVector]

It could be that it was shipped UPS or Fedex and then they turn it over to USPS for the "last mile." Amazon showed that it was delivered, because UPS said it had delivered it although to USPS. Confusing, yes!

 

[grrickar]

They showed yesterday afternoon, and seemed no worse for wear - although I suppose time will tell.

There were two packages, each with a rather thick scoby and packaged with some liquid. I made 2 gallons of tea, using a mix of green and black - opened the pouches and dumped one scoby in each along with the liquid.

Now today neither are floating, but each scoby looks like it is peeling in half, and one is raising up (getting buoyant).

 

[sleepspeaking]

how much sugar are you using per gallon?

 

[ericbw]

It's fine if they sink or float. Sometimes they go sideways at the bottom. They do what they want, and it usually works out fine. Usually, if they sink, a new one forms at the top anyway.

 

[grrickar]

how much sugar are you using per gallon?

I only used a 1/2c per gallon, which may be sort of light from what I have read.

The tea is getting a paler color (more from the red color of tea to a straw color) and I have little 'jellyfish' floating around in there - which I suspect are the beginnings of a new scoby. Not many bubbles at the top, but definitely activity. Nothing seems out of the ordinary.

 

[sleepspeaking]

Good good.
Like ericbw said, my "mother" scobys would do whatever they wanted, but that thin film of a scoby on top, thickening over time, was always my best indicator that the batch was healthy.

Man, I need to start a batch again. Moved a year or so ago, and neglected the booch for a month, it didn't recover.

Hope it works out for you.

 

[grrickar]

Well both gallon batches seemed to be doing fine until last night. I found that one of the batches had mold on top. Yep - gray fuzzy mold on top of the thin translucent new scoby that had formed on top. I reluctantly dumped the batch, scobies and all. The great news is the other batch seems fine, so I can take starter from it and transfer to the sanitized vessel and start over.

 

[ericbw]

Bummer! Good thing you had 2.

 

[grrickar]

Happy to report I have made and consumed 2 gallons of booch now. I didn't plan very well so I am out of booch for the next week until this batch finishes. I mix it about 4/5ths booch to 1/5th sweetened juice concentrate, and I find that cherry apple by Old Orchard really does a nice job. I used the frozen concentrate, and mix it with about half the water suggested on the can.

Honestly I started making it because I hate coffee and love tea, but now I am reading more about the benefits. My wife swears my hair is growing faster now /shrug

 

[ericbw]

I have been adding 1 ounce of some antioxidant juice to a 12 ounce bottle. The juice is kind of sweet, so your juice with half the water is probably good that way!

 

[grrickar]

Yeah, I am thinking of using some pomegranate juice or some Montmorency Cherry Juice Concentrate.