Jun Tea Recipe (Honey Kombucha)

Water: The base liquid for brewing the tea.

Green tea leaves: Provides the flavor and antioxidants for the tea.

Raw honey: Acts as the fermentable sugar for the jun scoby.

Jun scoby: The culture needed to ferment the tea into jun kombucha.

Starter tea: A small amount of already fermented jun tea to kickstart the fermentation process.

When preparing green tea leaves, make sure to use water that is just below boiling, around 175°F to 185°F, to avoid burning the leaves and creating a bitter flavor. After steeping, ensure the honey is fully dissolved in the tea by stirring thoroughly, as this will provide the necessary sugars for the jun scoby to ferment properly. During fermentation, keep the jar in a dark, warm place to maintain a consistent temperature, which is crucial for the fermentation process.

• Green tea leaves - Substitute with white tea leaves: White tea leaves offer a similar light and delicate flavor profile, making them a suitable alternative for green tea leaves in jun tea.

• Raw honey - Substitute with maple syrup: Maple syrup can provide a similar sweetness and depth of flavor, though it will slightly alter the taste of the jun tea.

• Jun scoby - Substitute with kombucha scoby: A kombucha scoby can be used in place of a jun scoby; however, it may produce a slightly different flavor due to the different types of bacteria and yeast.

• Starter tea - Substitute with apple cider vinegar: Apple cider vinegar can be used as a starter liquid to help acidify the brew and kickstart the fermentation process if starter tea is unavailable.

• Ensure your jun tea is fully fermented before considering storage. This means it should have a slightly tangy, effervescent taste after the 7-day fermentation period.

• Transfer the jun tea into clean, airtight glass bottles. You can use swing-top bottles or mason jars with tight-fitting lids. This helps maintain the carbonation and prevents any unwanted bacteria from entering.

• Store the bottles in the refrigerator. The cold temperature will slow down the fermentation process, preserving the flavor and effervescence of your jun tea.

• If you want to keep your jun tea for an extended period, consider freezing it. Pour the tea into freezer-safe containers, leaving some space at the top for expansion. Seal the containers tightly.

• Label each container with the date of freezing. This helps you keep track of how long the jun tea has been stored.

• When you're ready to enjoy your frozen jun tea, thaw it in the refrigerator. This gradual thawing process helps maintain the integrity of the tea's flavor and carbonation.

• Once thawed, give the jun tea a gentle shake to mix any settled particles. Pour into a glass and enjoy chilled.

• For an extra burst of flavor, consider adding slices of fruit like lemon, lime, or ginger before storing. This infuses the tea with additional zest and complexity.

• Always check for any off smells or unusual flavors before consuming stored jun tea. If it smells or tastes off, it's best to discard it to avoid any potential health risks.

• Gently pour the jun tea into a small saucepan.
• Warm it over low heat, ensuring you do not bring it to a boil. The goal is to gently reheat without killing the beneficial probiotics.
• Stir occasionally to evenly distribute the heat.
• Once it reaches your desired temperature, remove from heat and pour into a cup.
• Alternatively, you can use a double boiler method to reheat the jun tea. This method ensures even gentler heating.
• If you prefer a quicker method, microwave the jun tea in a microwave-safe cup. Heat on low power in 10-second intervals, stirring in between, until it reaches the desired warmth.

• Saucepan: used to boil the water for steeping the green tea leaves

• Tea strainer: used to remove the green tea leaves after steeping

• Wooden spoon: used to stir in the honey until it dissolves

• Glass jar: used to hold the cooled tea, starter tea, and jun scoby for fermentation

• Cloth: used to cover the jar during fermentation to allow airflow while keeping contaminants out

• Rubber band: used to secure the cloth over the jar

• Bottles: used to store the fermented tea after removing the scoby

• Refrigerator: used to chill the bottled tea before consumption

Boil water in advance: Boil the water ahead of time and let it cool while you prepare other ingredients.

Use tea bags: Substitute green tea leaves with green tea bags for quicker steeping and easier cleanup.

Dissolve honey faster: Warm the honey slightly before adding it to the tea to help it dissolve more quickly.

Pre-measure ingredients: Measure out the honey, starter tea, and other ingredients before you start to streamline the process.

Batch preparation: Make larger batches of jun tea to reduce the frequency of preparation.