When should you throw out an old SCOBY?

With proper care, SCOBYs can last many generations. But when you see excessive, dark yeast growth on a SCOBY layer, or if it starts producing Kombucha that tastes bad or overly acidic, it's time to get a new one. New kombucha recipes can be made.

How do you know if your SCOBY has gone bad?

A moldy or dead scoby is quite distinctive, and there is no mistaking it when you see it. The mold will be white or colorful, fuzzy and dry. It can appear as spots on the scoby, or cover the scoby altogether. A dead scoby will be black.

What is the lifespan of a SCOBY?

The scoby will then go dormant and can be kept for up to 6 months. However, we've already seen scobys that had been forgotten for over a year in a corner of the fridge come back to life without any problem.

How long can you keep a SCOBY in a SCOBY hotel?

SCOBY hotels can go untouched at room temperature for months on end. I've even heard instances of people forgetting theirs for a year (or longer) without any issues. (I'd still recommend at least checking on your hotel every few months or so, though!)

When should I replace my SCOBY?

You will only need to replace your SCOBY if it has developed mold or if it is continuously struggling to ferment.

Can a SCOBY get too old?

Put simply, kombucha SCOBYs can be reused for many years. Realistically, however, you simply won't need it to last that long. Your SCOBY grows and divides with each batch of kombucha, so you will constantly be growing new SCOBYs. Simply remove the older layers and transfer the new layers to your next batch.

Can you get sick from a bad SCOBY?

As a result, the SCOBY can produce harmful bacteria and aspergillus (a toxin-producing fungus), which can cause illness.

What should a healthy SCOBY look like?

Just like mould in other food items (eg. bread), mould on your scoby looks and smell the same. A healthy scoby is usually white, cream or brown in colour, anything else might be suspicious.

Is my SCOBY dead if it doesn t float?

In time, a new SCOBY will start slowly forming on the surface and thicken over time. So rest assured, a sinking SCOBY is nothing to worry about! Now that we've debunked the SCOBY position myth, you can celebrate knowing your batch is healthy!

Yes, even in the bottle, the microorganisms in kombucha are still at work. The little scobies created in the bottles often merge with yeast colonies, resulting in small gelatinous layers or brown filaments, and sometimes both. When this happens, it just means that your kombucha scoby is healthy and strong!

What happens if I leave my SCOBY too long?

If you leave kombucha on the counter with the scoby too long, you get something that taste like vinegar and can be used to replace vinegar in recipes.