Ideally, kombucha brews at around 74 - 84 degrees F. According to Happy Herbalist, the warmer temperatures produce a "faster more consistent ferment while the lower temperatures produce a less harsh more mellow taste though more inconsistent and with a greater susceptibility to molds and pathogens forming. Kombucha brewing seems to work better in the summer than in the winter months."
I agree that kombucha brewing works much better during the summer months than in the winter. So to keep my kombucha warm, I purchased this seedling mat from Amazon. The mat, which you plug into an electric outlet, is supposed to warm the area about 10-20 degrees F above ambient temperature. Although the kombucha and SCOBYs still don't seem to be as happy as they typically are during the summer, the seedling mat has definitely helped!
Other ideas to keep your kombucha warm:
- Brewing your kombucha in a warm (but undisturbed) location, such as in a kitchen cupboard
- Brewing the kombucha in a cabinet with a light bulb (as recommended by Happy Herbalist)
- Using a heating pad
What do you do to keep your kombucha warm?