Kombucha is an effervescent fermented tea referred to by the ancient Chinese as “the immortal health elixir.”
While you can buy kombucha in major supermarkets and specialist watering holes, it’s incredibly simple (not to mention cheaper) to make at home.
The brewing process is simple, with most kombucha starter kits containing everything you need for your first batch and beyond.
All you need is tea, sugar and a SCOBY (symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast), which you brew and leave for a week or more. Then, you’re free to flavour it with ginger, citrus or beetroot, or enjoy plain.
“Our philosophy is that any kombucha brew is only as good as the ingredients you use,” says Adam Vanni of Hackney Wick kombucha bar Jarr, “You can ferment a builder’s tea and it will taste good, but using a high quality oolong, green or white tea will give much more complexity.”
If you’re looking for a light but complex drink that won’t leave you with a sore head the next morning, then kombucha is the drink for you.
We’ve rounded up the best kombucha starter kits on the market today.
Freshly Fermented Kombucha Starter Kit
One of a few UK-based companies selling kombucha starter kits, Freshly Fermented’s is a good choice for the ethically minded. Using organic and vegan certified tea, sugar and SCOBY, they also deliver their kit in fully biodegradable packaging. Includes a handsome Kilner jar, two flip-top bottles and a funnel and strainer.
£45.50 | Freshly Fermented | Buy it now
Fermentaholics USDA Organic Scoby Kombucha
If yours is the type of pantry already well-stocked with teas, sugars and more glass jars than is every really necessary, then you can forgo a full kombucha starter kit and just buy a SCOBY – the jellied pancake of goodness which gives the kombucha its effervescent tart. Fermentaholics’ is large and hearty enough to make a full gallon of delicious kombucha.
£13.99 | Amazon | Buy it now
Get Kombucha Starter Kit – Classic Edition
A kombucha starter kit that’s all-thriller no-filler, with enough tea and sugar to keep you going for your first few brews, and the largest SCOBY we came across while testing. You’ll need your own brewing jar, but this can be anything from a glass mason jar to a large plastic barrel.
$59.99 (£47.48) - $ 85.66 (£67.68) inc shipping| Get Kombucha | Buy it now
Kombucha Traders by KitchenToolz Kombucha Starter Kit
Everything you need for a basic kombucha. All the ingredients for a single brew are here: organic black tea bags, organic cane sugar, and the all important SCOBY. Along with a gallon brew jar, the kit also includes a stick-on thermometer and PH test strips to help you gauge the process of your kombucha – though in practice, taste is the best measure.
£38.99 | Amazon | Buy it now
The Kombucha Shop Deluxe Kombucha Brewing Kit
For the ambitious novice, this kombucha starter kit includes all of the essentials, along with six swing top bottles, a stainless steel funnel and strainer (just don’t let your SCOBY come into contact with the metal) and, rather thoughtfully, a cleaning brush.
From £60 | The Kombucha Shop | Buy it now
Happy Kombucha Small Kombucha Continuous Brewing Kit
Rather than making kombucha by the gallon, it’s also possible to brew a single continuous stream. This kombucha starter kit includes a 4.5-litre plastic jar with a tap dispenser. Simply make a large batch using the included SCOBY (tea and sugar aren’t included – but for this method, you’re going to need supplies anyway). Once brewed, simply keep the brew level by topping up with sweet tea every time you make a withdrawal.
£22.99 | Amazon | Buy it now
Verdict:
A brew-at-home kombucha is much more than the sum of its starter kit – everything from the temperature of your kitchen to the place you leave your brew will impact on its flavour, while personal tastes will also vary. For the complete novice, Freshly Fermented’s no frill kombucha starter kit contains everything you need, with the bonus of being UK organic and vegan certified. Those who are already kombucha converts should consider Happy Kombucha’s continuous kit, to ensure a steady supply all year-round.
