Indian White Tea Kombucha

Indian White Tea Kombucha (OG)

Brewer: Jesse

1st Fermentation 12/7- 12/17

Tea: 0.09 lbs

Temperature: 179°F

Steep: 4:30

2nd Fermentation 12/17- 12/23 AND 12/25*

Batch 1 (12/25)*

0.5 c. persimmon, chopped

2.5 tsp. ginger, grated

0.75 tsp. turmeric

flavor notes: persimmon & turmeric

Batch 2 (12/25)*

0.75 persimmon, chopped

 0.5 tsp. ginger, grated

1 tsp. sugar

flavor notes: persimmon

Batch 3

0.5 c. strawberries, chopped

0.25 c. rosemary sprigs

1 tsp. sugar

flavor notes: strong strawberry, herbaceous undertones

Batch 4 (12/25)*

0.75 c. crispin apple, grated

1 tsp. ginger

flavor notes: light, fresh apple

Batch 5 (16 oz. swing top)

0.25 c. blackberries, whole mashed 

1 tsp. hibiscus flowers, dried

flavor notes: blackberry, slight hibiscus. Very good. 

Batch 6 (16 oz. swing top)

1 tsp. ginger, grated

0.5 Meyer lemon, juiced

flavor notes: ginger & lemon with an overall fruity taste

Batch 7 

0.25 c. clementine juice, squeezed

1 tsp. ginger

1 tsp. sugar

flavor notes: refreshing citrus- clementine flavor not strong but paired well with ginger

Batch 8 

0.5 c. grapefruit juice, squeezed

3 tsp. rose flowers 

flavor: strong grapefruit, very slight floral undertone

Notes

Highs: Favorite was Batch 6

- None I didn't like and the hibiscus in Batch 5 was a perfect ratio. Very good and much more proportionate than it was in the Se Chung Oolong. 

- Batch 7 was an awesome citrus batch

- Indian white is a fantastic mild flavor that pairs well with any fruits. It enhances the flavors of the fruit without competing and overpowering them. 

Lows: Least favorite was Batch 8 

- the grapefruit is too strong of a flavor so far. I'm not a huge fan of grapefruit kombucha so far so won't be trying anymore in a second fermentation anytime soon.

- Persimmon does not ferment as well as I'd hoped and I'm not a huge fan of that flavor either. It's an acquired taste and has the benefit of terrific persimmon flavor without the downside of dry-mouth that's common with actually eating a persimmon so if you like persimmon either of the two batches is for you!

- Not a low but a lesson: less is more. Adding many ingredients to a second fermentation often becomes too much and flavors compete with each other. The tea brings a flavor and one or two ingredients seems to be best. 

*Never underestimate the value of swing top bottles. I had to filter and refrigerate the ones in Black Button bottles a day or two earlier than I'd have liked because the tops kept flying off. The swing top batches were definitely the most effervescent. Why did I use them? Because I'm cheap and they were free. Not worth it.