You should heat your kombucha, and here's why
It's that time of year again. The weather is starting to chill, and the leaves are falling. Most welcome the change of seasons as it usually signals a slower way of living for the next few months. If you're anything like me, the colder months also bring a whole new set of challenges. Especially if you like fermenting things like kombucha!
For years I could successfully ferment kombucha through the Spring and Summer months. As soon as late Fall would hit the kombucha would mold EVERY TIME. It didn't matter the tea blend, or how new the scoby was...it would mold.
Eventually I decided that I just couldn't make kombucha in the Winter months. My routine would slow down in the Fall and then stop during Winter. Usually around the end of March I'd pick it up again. I accepted that this is just how things were, and that there weren't any other options.
I kept this up routine up for YEARS until I realized there was another way! Ferments will mold if they are too cold, so the answer was so simple....I needed to HEAT my kombucha!
What temperatures do you need for kombucha?
Ferments all work about the same, but they each have their own temperature preferences. Kombucha specifically is happy when it's temperature is between 60-85 degrees Fahrenheit. Even though this is quite the range, I've had the best luck when the brew is between 72-80 degrees Fahrenheit.
You will find that the warmer the kombucha is the more quickly it ferments and vice versa. It kombucha gets too cold it slows the fermenting, and this is usually when you begin to have mold development. This can be a tricky balance during the colder months because our homes are naturally cooler.
So how can you keep your kombucha warm enough?
You'll want to know exactly what temperature your brew is. I've found the easiest way to keep an eye on this is to have a special thermometer. It just sticks to the outside of your brewing vessel.
You can buy a fermenting heat mat. This will ensure that your brew stays warm. (This solution can also be used as a seed starting mat, so bonus use!)
My favorite method to keep my kombucha warm is a simple strand of Christmas lights! It just keeps it slightly warmer than the ambient temperature, but it's just enough that I don't have to worry about it molding. I have found that I really enjoy the ambient glow from the lights in the evening too.
If you are new to brewing kombucha be sure to read this post about how to brew kombucha at home.