How to Make a Scoby Hotel: A Comprehensive Guide

If you’re into brewing kombucha, you know how important it is to have a healthy and thriving scoby.

But what happens when you have too many scobies?

That’s where the scoby hotel comes in – it’s a safe and convenient way to store your extra scobies.

In this article, we’ll show you everything you need to know about making and maintaining a scoby hotel.

What is a Scoby Hotel?

What is a Scoby Hotel?

A Scoby Hotel is a container used to store and maintain kombucha Scobys. The term “Scoby” stands for “symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast”, and it is a living colony of microorganisms that ferment tea and sugar to produce kombucha. A Scoby Hotel is essentially a home for your extra Scobys that are not being used to brew kombucha at the moment.

Why You Need a Scoby Hotel

If you are an avid homebrewer of kombucha, you will eventually accumulate extra Scobys that you do not want to throw away. A Scoby Hotel can help you store your extra Scobys in a safe and controlled environment, where they can continue to grow and thrive until you need them for your next batch of kombucha. Keeping a Scoby Hotel also means that you will always have a backup Scoby in case something goes wrong with your current batch.

How a Scoby Hotel Works

A Scoby Hotel works by providing a suitable environment for your Scobys to live and grow. The container should be made of glass or food-grade plastic, and it should be large enough to hold all of your Scobys with enough room for them to expand. The Scobys should be stored in a mixture of brewed tea and sugar, which should be replaced every 4-6 weeks to keep the Scobys healthy. It is also important to keep the Scoby Hotel in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures.

How to Make a Scoby Hotel

If you’re a fan of kombucha, you know that a scoby (symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast) is essential for making this delicious and healthy drink. But what do you do with your scoby when you’re not brewing? Enter the scoby hotel, a place where you can keep your scobies healthy and happy until you’re ready to use them again.

What You’ll Need

To make a scoby hotel, you’ll need:

• A large glass jar with a wide mouth
• A clean cloth or paper towel
• A rubber band
• Enough brewed and cooled sweet tea to cover your scobies
• Your scobies

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s how to make a scoby hotel:

1. Clean your glass jar thoroughly with soap and water and make sure it’s completely dry.
2. Brew a batch of sweet tea and let it cool to room temperature.
3. Place your scobies in the jar.
4. Pour the sweet tea over the scobies until they are completely covered.
5. Cover the jar with a clean cloth or paper towel and secure it with a rubber band.
6. Store the jar in a cool, dark place, like a pantry or cupboard.

Remember to check on your scoby hotel every few weeks and add more sweet tea if necessary. You can also remove some of the scobies and use them to start new kombucha batches.

Tips for Success

Here are some tips to help you make the perfect scoby hotel:

• Make sure your jar is completely clean and dry before you start.
• Use brewed and cooled sweet tea to cover your scobies. This will keep them healthy and prevent mold from growing.
• Store your scoby hotel in a cool, dark place to prevent sunlight from damaging the scobies.
• Check on your scoby hotel every few weeks and add more sweet tea if necessary.
• Remember to remove some of the scobies and use them to start new kombucha batches.

Maintaining Your Scoby Hotel

Once you have set up your scoby hotel, it is important to maintain it properly to ensure the health of your scobies. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

Feeding Your Scobies

Just like any living organism, scobies need to be fed regularly. In order to keep your scobies healthy and happy, it is important to feed them a steady supply of sweetened tea. This can be done by adding a fresh batch of sweetened tea to the hotel every one to two weeks. Remember to use black or green tea, as herbal teas may contain oils or other substances that can harm your scobies.

It is worth mentioning that the amount of tea you add to the hotel will depend on the number of scobies you have. As a general rule, add 1 cup of tea for every scoby in the hotel, plus an extra cup for good measure.

Monitoring for Mold

One of the biggest risks associated with maintaining a scoby hotel is the growth of mold. Unfortunately, mold can be very harmful to scobies and can quickly ruin your entire hotel if not caught early. To prevent mold from growing in your hotel, it is important to monitor it regularly.

Keep in mind that some discoloration or brown spots on the surface of your scobies is normal and not a cause for concern. However, if you notice any fuzzy patches or green or black spots, this may be a sign of mold growth. In this case, it is best to remove the affected scoby and dispose of it, as it may be contaminated with mold spores.

Harvesting Scobies from the Hotel

Over time, your scobies will grow and multiply in the hotel. When this happens, you may need to harvest some of the scobies to prevent overcrowding. To do this, simply remove a scoby from the hotel and transfer it to a fresh batch of sweetened tea to start a new kombucha brew.

It is worth mentioning that the scobies in your hotel will vary in size and thickness. Thicker scobies are generally more mature and will produce kombucha faster than thinner scobies. On the other hand, thinner scobies may be more delicate and prone to tearing, so be gentle when handling them.

Remember that maintaining a scoby hotel requires patience and diligence. By following these tips and monitoring your hotel regularly, you can ensure the health of your scobies and enjoy delicious, homemade kombucha for years to come.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

While making a Scoby hotel can be a fun and rewarding experience, it is not uncommon to run into some issues. Here are some common problems and solutions.

Mold in Your Scoby Hotel

Finding mold in your Scoby hotel can be alarming, but it’s not uncommon. Mold can occur due to a variety of reasons such as inadequate ventilation, a dirty jar or utensils, or contaminated ingredients. If you do find mold, it’s best to start over with a new Scoby and clean your jar and utensils thoroughly.

It is worth mentioning that not all mold is harmful, but it’s difficult to determine which type of mold is growing in your Scoby hotel. Therefore, it’s best to err on the side of caution and start over.

Fruit Flies in Your Scoby Hotel

Fruit flies are a common issue in Scoby hotels, especially if the jar is not covered properly. To prevent fruit flies from getting in, make sure to use a tight-fitting cover such as a cloth secured with a rubber band or a lid with a small opening for ventilation.

If you already have fruit flies in your Scoby hotel, unfortunately, they can quickly multiply and become a nuisance. A quick solution is to place a small dish of apple cider vinegar with a few drops of dish soap near your Scoby hotel. The fruit flies will be attracted to the vinegar and get trapped in the dish due to the soap.

Scobies Not Growing or Multiplying

If you notice that your Scoby is not growing or multiplying, there could be a few reasons why. First, make sure that you are using the right type of tea and sugar. Black tea and white granulated sugar are the best options for growing Scobies. Additionally, make sure that your Scoby hotel is kept in a warm, consistent temperature and out of direct sunlight.

If you still have issues with Scoby growth, it’s possible that your Scoby is contaminated or too weak. Consider starting over with a new Scoby from a trusted source or hotel.

Remember, making a Scoby hotel takes patience and practice. Keep in mind that it’s normal to encounter some issues along the way, and don’t be afraid to start over if needed. With some trial and error, you’ll be on your way to making delicious kombucha at home.

Creative Uses for Extra Scobies

If you are an avid kombucha brewer, you must have encountered the problem of having too many scobies. A scoby is an essential ingredient for making kombucha, but you don’t need all of them to make a good batch. Fortunately, there are several creative uses for extra scobies that you can explore.

Using Scobies in Cooking

Believe it or not, scobies can be used in cooking! They are an excellent source of probiotics and can be added to a variety of dishes such as smoothies, salads, and stir-fries. You can also blend them into a paste and use it as a meat substitute in vegetarian recipes. Keep in mind that scobies have a sour taste, so they work best in savory dishes rather than sweet ones.

Making Scoby Crafts

Scobies are versatile and can be used in crafting projects. You can cut them into shapes and dry them to make decorative ornaments. Scobies can also be used to make jewelry, such as earrings and necklaces. If you have kids, they will love making scoby slime or using them in science experiments.

Donating Scobies to Friends or Local Kombucha Brewers

If you still have extra scobies after trying out the previous ideas, you can donate them to friends or local kombucha brewers. Many people are interested in brewing kombucha but don’t have access to scobies. Donating your extras can help others start their own kombucha brewing journey.

Conclusion

By now, you should have a good understanding of how to make and maintain a scoby hotel.

Remember to keep your scobies healthy and happy, and they’ll reward you with delicious and nutritious kombucha.

And if you find yourself with too many scobies again, don’t worry – now you know what to do!