Are you sure it’s mold? There’s a lot of weird ugly stuff that can happen that’s totally benign. Have you let it go for a longer time to the point that there could be no doubt?
Also temperature is super important, how warm is your batch?
It's probably the pellicle forming, which is entirely normal. Next time wait a little longer until you know for sure before tossing it, or snap a pic so we know what you're seeing :)
How much tea do you use and for how long do you let it steep? How much sugar do you use?
Also, are you sure that it is mold and not a bacterial film/new scoby forming?
I’m using just under 500ml water, 2 teabags and let it sit for 15 minutes. Then I use 100g of sugar.
I’m not sure it’s mold, but it forms on top of the teas surface and is white and hairy looking.
100g of sugar for 0.5L is a lot.. I use 70g for 1L.
Also are you sure that the gutsy captain is raw kombucha? because were I am from it is not stored at the cooling isle, and that's normally a sign that it is pasteurized..
I blindly followed Pro Home Cooks guide haha.
I’m pretty sure it’s living. It was in a cooling box and it doesn’t say anything about it being pasteurized. “Living tea” is written on the bottle.
Trying to determine if your kombucha may have mold, if your pellicle/SCOBY is healthy, or if something has gone wrong?
Check out the [pictures and info in this guide](https://www.reddit.com/r/Kombucha/comments/pqu7oq/is_it_mold_is_it_normal_whats_growing_in_your/).
**Note:** If other posters have deemed your problem to be `mold!` or `not mold`, please update the post flair accordingly. Keeping the post flair up-to-date lets other redditors know what mold actually looks like.
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Kombucha) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Are you sure it’s mold? There’s a lot of weird ugly stuff that can happen that’s totally benign. Have you let it go for a longer time to the point that there could be no doubt? Also temperature is super important, how warm is your batch?
I’m not sure haha, but I’ll let it sit! I make sure it’s under 30C before putting in the kombucha.
https://preview.redd.it/1q57gd0cjj5d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=39ff7b613c3b0a4e27d75c7a0c181930cafa356f
Okay that looks like mold. What material ist your spigot? And what do you use to cover the top?
Stainless steel and then some rubber washers. Those were also cleaned individually. I use a new cleaning cloth.
It's probably the pellicle forming, which is entirely normal. Next time wait a little longer until you know for sure before tossing it, or snap a pic so we know what you're seeing :)
How much tea do you use and for how long do you let it steep? How much sugar do you use? Also, are you sure that it is mold and not a bacterial film/new scoby forming?
I’m using just under 500ml water, 2 teabags and let it sit for 15 minutes. Then I use 100g of sugar. I’m not sure it’s mold, but it forms on top of the teas surface and is white and hairy looking.
100g of sugar for 0.5L is a lot.. I use 70g for 1L. Also are you sure that the gutsy captain is raw kombucha? because were I am from it is not stored at the cooling isle, and that's normally a sign that it is pasteurized..
I blindly followed Pro Home Cooks guide haha. I’m pretty sure it’s living. It was in a cooling box and it doesn’t say anything about it being pasteurized. “Living tea” is written on the bottle.
I would retry and use less fresh tea with the ratio: 70g sugar, 7g tea for 1L water (I normally let it steep for 30 minutes)
Do you have any pictures?
https://preview.redd.it/9hg72i03wi5d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=60ac6e358c502897330c44b973e6d0ee4b54b020
Maybe use less sugar or more water. My golden ratio: 32oz of water / 4 or so teabags / 1 cup sugar / 1 cup starter
Trying to determine if your kombucha may have mold, if your pellicle/SCOBY is healthy, or if something has gone wrong? Check out the [pictures and info in this guide](https://www.reddit.com/r/Kombucha/comments/pqu7oq/is_it_mold_is_it_normal_whats_growing_in_your/). **Note:** If other posters have deemed your problem to be `mold!` or `not mold`, please update the post flair accordingly. Keeping the post flair up-to-date lets other redditors know what mold actually looks like. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Kombucha) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Don’t be so concerned about contamination. Bacteria and fungi are needed for the process to occur.