How Is Kombucha Made? The Secrets of the SCOBY

Kombucha is one of the favorites on our menu at Elixir Lounge, our kava bar in Old Town Spring — a fermented tea with a tart, lightly fizzy character. Ever wondered how it's made? It all comes down to a curious ingredient called the SCOBY.

What Is a SCOBY?

SCOBY stands for "symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast." It's the starter culture — often called the "mother" — added to sweetened black or green tea to begin fermentation. As it works, the SCOBY forms a rubbery disk on the surface of the brew, and it keeps growing batch after batch, which is why home brewers often pass pieces of their SCOBY along to friends.

How Kombucha Is Made

The process is simple and centuries old:

  1. Brew black or green tea and stir in sugar.
  2. Let the tea cool, then add the SCOBY along with a splash of finished kombucha from a previous batch.
  3. Cover the vessel with a breathable cloth and let it ferment at room temperature for one to two weeks.
  4. During fermentation, the culture converts the sugars in the tea, developing kombucha's signature tart, tangy flavor and gentle carbonation.

The longer the ferment, the more tart the finished brew. Many brewers then add fruit or herbs for a second fermentation, which builds extra fizz and flavor.

What Does It Taste Like?

Kombucha lands somewhere between iced tea and sparkling cider — tart, lightly sweet, and effervescent. Flavors vary widely depending on the tea used, the length of the ferment, and any fruits or botanicals added along the way.

Is Kombucha Alcoholic?

Fermentation naturally produces a trace amount of alcohol, but commercially sold kombucha is classified as a non-alcoholic beverage (under 0.5% alcohol by volume). That makes it right at home on our alcohol-free menu.

Try Kombucha at Elixir Lounge

Come taste it for yourself at 206 Main St in Old Town Spring — we're open seven nights a week for guests 18 and up. Browse our menu, see what's happening on our events page, or reach out with questions. You can also order ahead through Toast.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Kava products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Elixir Lounge serves guests 18 years of age or older.