Bottling Kombucha helps build up the the carbon dioxide produced during this second fermentation cycle giving your kombucha that fizzy effervescence it is known for. When bottling you need to have enough sugar still renaming in your jars to give the yeast food to help build up the carbon dioxide, and a bottle with a good air-tight seal is super important when making Kombucha, else you will have a flat Kombucha.
Choosing Bottles for Storing Kombucha:
There are many bottling options, and most any glass bottle with a good air tight lid will do. Some of they styles we use are Boston Rounds, Flip-Top bottle, and reusing store brought Kombucha and Tea Bottles. Most metal lids, for us anyway, only seem to work well for 2-3 used then start to corridor. So far the best lids we have found that work well when ordering new bottle are ones that come with F217 caps or Polycone Seal Caps.
Some Bottle Ideas:
Amber Boston Round with Black Poly Cone Cap
Clear Glass Boston Round Bottles with Black Phenolic Poly-Seal
Swing Top Glass Bottles
Instructions for Bottling Kombucha:
We recommend if you are using fruits or herbs to strain your liquid before bottling. This is optional and up to you. If you are using juices the need to add extra sugar is not needed in most cases. The more sugar added, the faster the carbonation will build. Temperature also plays a part in how quickly carbonation will build up in your bottles.
- After you have stained your Kombucha, add 1/8 tsp. of sugar per 8oz to your bottles or 1 raisin per 8oz of Kombucha. This will awaken the yeast and help produce carbonation.
- Fill your bottle with Kombucha, leaving about 1/2 inch of head space.
- Cap and leave at room temperature for 2-5 days.
- The length you allow your kombucha to ferment depends on your personal taste preferences, the temperature, and the amount of sugar added or in your flavoring. Check your bottles daily, and burp the bottles to release any excessive build up of carbonation. Please use caution when opening bottle.
- Store bottles in the refrigerator, chill and enjoy.
When you add your bottles to the refrigerator this will slow the build up of carbonation. To restore effervescence when serving, remove the bottle from the refrigerator, and let it sit for 5 minutes at room temperature.
