DIY Kombucha

A slim, beginner-friendly introduction to kombucha brewing from Katherine Green, a Portland-based food writer with a certificate in nutritional therapy. If you want a quick, no-nonsense guide to get your first batch going without a 400-page commitment, this is a solid pick.

Why Consider This One

DIY Kombucha takes a minimalist approach to getting you started. At 134 pages, it strips the process down to what you actually need to know: how to brew a basic batch, how to care for your SCOBY, and how to flavor your kombucha with 60 recipes for health-focused tonics and drinks.

Green’s background in nutritional therapy means the book pays more attention to the health benefits of kombucha than most brewing guides. She covers topics like how much kombucha to drink daily, alcohol content and safety, and using kombucha as part of a broader approach to gut health. If the wellness angle is what drew you to kombucha in the first place, this book speaks your language.

The trade-off is depth. You will not find the same level of troubleshooting, science, or advanced technique that The Big Book of Kombucha provides. But for readers who learn by doing and prefer to start small, this book gets you brewing quickly and confidently.

What to Expect

A concise, health-oriented guide at 134 pages. Covers the brewing basics and 60 recipes for flavored kombuchas, mocktails, and wellness tonics. Includes advice from commercial kombucha producers. Best for readers who want a quick start with a wellness focus.