Low Sodium Plain Kombucha
Brewing your own kombucha at home is one of those deeply satisfying kitchen projects that rewards patience with something genuinely delicious. The process relies on just a handful of clean, simple ingredients — black tea, sugar, water, a SCOBY, and a splash of starter liquid — and the fermentation does all the heavy lifting over the course of a week or two. Because you're controlling every element yourself, there's no need to scrutinize store labels for unwanted additives, and this recipe keeps things completely pure and unflavored by design. The result is a lightly effervescent, pleasantly tart drink that you can taste and adjust to your own preference, pulling it earlier for something milder or letting it ride longer for a bolder, more vinegary finish. Watching a new SCOBY layer form on top of the old one is oddly thrilling, and saving your starter liquid means each batch sets you up for the next. Once you get the rhythm down, you'll always have a bottle chilling in the fridge and a SCOBY ready to go.
About FigFig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.
Learn more →Ingredients
8 servings
- 3.5 quarts filtered water, divided
- 4 bags plain black tea (or 1 tbsp loose-leaf black tea)
- 1 cup white granulated sugar
- 1 scoby (symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast)
- ½ cup starter liquid (unflavored, unpasteurized kombucha from a previous batch or store-bought raw kombucha)
Instructions
- 1
Bring 1 quart of the filtered water to a boil in a large pot. Remove from heat, add the tea bags (or loose-leaf tea in a strainer), and steep for 5–7 minutes, until the tea is deep amber and strongly brewed. Remove and discard the tea bags or strainer.
- 2
Add the sugar to the hot tea and stir with a long-handled spoon until fully dissolved, about 1 minute.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!