Looking for Kombucha Starter in Ann Arbor

[houndgirl]

Hi all,
I'm a big fan of kombucha, but the price of a bottle of it is turning it into a once-in-a-while purchase. Since I'm a big do-it-yourselfer in the kitchen, I'm ready to start making my own. I know I can buy these online, but was wondering if there is anywhere in the Ann Arbor/Ypsi area to purchase this.

[momskitchen]

I always understood you can start Kombucha with a bottle of storebought. http://www.instructables.com/id/Makin...

[KombuchaKamp]

This was true before the Recall of 2010. Now the Kombuchas are reformulated to be too weak to grow a proper culture unless you find a bottle of Full Strength stuff which most people don't have access to. :)

[momskitchen]

Locally in Ann Arbor, you can buy Unity Vibration Kombucha that isn't diluted:

http://www.unityvibrationkombucha.com...

[houndgirl]

Thanks for all the help hounds! I really like Unity Vibrations. I have met the owners/brewers a few times--most recently at the Ypsi Beer Festival and A2 Homegrown Festival.

[JanPrimus]

I have not seen any on my hunt for veal rennet, but ran across this site in my search and have fallen in love with it. http://www.culturesforhealth.com/

[KombuchaKamp]

Hey houndgirl, They are great for everything EXCEPT Kombucha - Dehydrated starters result in MOLD almost 50% of the time, plus require 30 days just to start the brewing process. Get a full sized Kombucha SCOBY in strong starter liquid and you will have brewing success for a lifetime. :) http://store.kombuchakamp.com/

[VTB]

I'm pretty sure you can get it from the Thomas Organic Creamery stand at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market. I got it from their stand (but at the R.O. FM... a year ago). It's a lot of work, but it's more versatile and the results are much better than the half dead stuff you get pre-made in a drink bottle. (ps--I don't claim to be an expert, in any event.)

*****edit: ooops (brain freeze), that was kefir "starter" that I got from Thomas Creamery rather than kombucha "starter." Regardless, if you like kombucha, you may love kefir. There are two classes of kefir-- one works on milk and other works on "water" such as sweat tea, etc.. Obviously, Thomas Creamery features the milk kefir starter. Anyway, these things are a bit like taking care of a pet. Please report back on your experience.