I’ve noticed during F2 that a small pellicle forms at the top of the bottle. It has the texture and taste of a fruit gummy. I’m wondering if anyone has ideas on how to produce kombucha “fruit gummies” in larger quantities?
I’ve had two 6+ month relationships with Lebanese men end by being ghosted. I never experienced this until I dated Lebanese.
“Ghosting” after a couple dates and they’re not your type is way different than a serious relationship over many months where you start talking about the future and then all of a sudden you never hear from them again… no big fight, no reason, nothing. It’s traumatizing.
It doesn’t seem to have anything to do with age (27, 38) or religion (Sunni and Christian). What’s up with this behavior??
For any beginners who get anxious seeing posts about ph levels, test kits, etc.… don’t worry. I’ve been “eyeballing” it for 8 years. 👀 It’s really easy once you get the hang of it!
I start taste testing my F1 after a week till I decide it’s not too sweet, but not too acidic, then I bottle. I stock fresh fruit in the freezer and add it to bottles for F2, then strain before drinking. The most “scientific” I ever got was numbering the bottles and logging the fruits I put in each so I knew which tasted best. And always clean everything really well between brews.
The only factor that’s really affected my brews is temperature. 🔥 Too hot = ferments too fast (will result in kombucha stains on the ceiling upon opening bottles – oops). ❄️ Too cold = doesn’t ferment at all. Everything else is trial and error!
A few tips I’ve picked up over the years:
* Don’t use tap water: use bottled
* Make concentrated tea: no need to boil a whole gallon of water
* Stir F1 before bottling: this helps with fermentation
* If it’s not fuzzy, it’s not mold. But if it’s mold, you cannot save it. Throw everything away, sanitize, and start over.
* Use pressure-bottles for carbonation! (Or risk bottles dangerously exploding). Brewer flip top bottles from Amazon are great if you’re in the US. Otherwise, reuse bottles that already contained a carbonated beverage – soda, fizzy water, kombucha, etc. Don’t use metal containers.
* Leave F2 a little longer than you think: once in the fridge, some of the carbonation will settle, so if the carbonation was “just right” at room temp, it will be disappointing after being in the fridge overnight.
* To avoid mold, store F1 in a dry cabinet where you don’t store other organic or fermenting items.
* If your home is really hot (eg. no AC in summer or tropical climate), you’ll probably need to burp your F2 a few times so they don’t explode upon opening.
* Black tea is easier than green tea: green tea is more picky about temperature, environment, etc.
* At least 1 cup of starter liquid per gallon of water: too much starter is better than too little.
* You don’t technically need the rubbery pellicle (the starter liquid is the SCOBY), but it creates a seal between the air and the brew that protects the brew and preps it for better carbonation.
* Most things are “normal”: It will look ugly, stringy, lumpy, snotty, dark spots, gross… The pellicle might float, it might sink, it does whatever it wants. It’s fine, keep on brewing.
Happy brewing!
🫧🫧🫧 Recent hack I learned for F2: use a single small plastic bottle for F2. Squeeze it slightly before putting the lid on. When it’s firm and you can no longer squeeze it, that means your bottles are fully carbonated and ready for the fridge. 🫧🫧🫧
Posted a while back unsure how to lean mid century after getting a pair of French side tables. You had some great recommendations – especially moving the bed to this wall. Here are some current progress shots.
The vibe is more “elevated” than my previous apartment. (I think mostly bc of the middle eastern rug compared to my previous west African textiles.)
- I made the duvet cover myself and need to finish the pillowcases.
- Planning to replace the bed frame with the 4th photo (they’ll customize to my wood and fabric preferences – I also want it higher so it’s not dwarfed by the tall nightstands).
- I’ll make double curtains – I purchased a sheer linen (bottom swatch in 5th & 6th photos) that will be framed by the teal (7th photo).
- The walls are very empty right now… I’ve got some art pieces I need to have framed.
- The sideboard was too beautiful to pass up even though it’s more of a “dining” buffet. If I find one I like better, I’ll move this one.
As always, open to feedback and suggestions!
My friend is getting married in few months (big Nigerian wedding) and she had my dress custom made. Checking if anyone could bring it to Leb (hoping to avoid the insane cost of DHL and customs if possible) so I can do alterations it needs.
Been doing my own nails for a few months and finally starting to feeling confident about the gel application and experimenting with some nail art.
For non-Lebanese American citizens visiting Lebanon, if you stay more than one month, general security will not renew your visa unless you stay more than 90 days (even though customs write “one month” on the passport stamp haha).
If you stay 30+ days, go to arrivals at the airport when you leave Lebanon. All the way to the left there’s a general security booth. You pay a small fee (about $40 – you pay in LL, but there’s a money exchange there). It takes only 5 or 10 minutes. Then continue upstairs to checkin and departures.
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Twice, I went to general security to renew my visa (2 years ago and today. Today was not bc I’m masochist btw lol – I thought I needed it to file legal paperwork). I was told, “Only the airport cares about one month. For all other purposes, you are legal for 90 days.”
Happy travels bi lebnan. 🛫🇱🇧
I’ve got a heating wrap for F1, but when I bottle and the temperature is low, I don’t get any carbonation. Any tips on keeping F2 warm?
Here to interrupt ur reddit doomsday scrolling. What’s the weirdest thing you seen for sale on olx?
Moved overseas, leaving my beautiful MCM apartment behind 😔 (last 3 photos – this is my typical aesthetic). When I went furniture shopping, I loved and bought these night stands even though they’re not MC. Now I’m trying to decide how to style my bedroom (3rd photo) with a MCM feel without these nightstands clashing. Open to any inspo!
Notes:
- the bed frame and curtains were left by the previous tenant, & I’ll replace them
- I can easily buy traditional oriental rugs here, so I def want to take advantage of that!
The US embassy always warns about kidnapping in Lebanon. It seems like unnecessary fear mongering. Do kidnappings actually happen and we just don’t hear much about them – especially of foreigners/Americans?
I recently moved to a new apartment and my kombucha starter got spilled. 😢 Does anyone have starter to give? 🙏🏼