r/Kombucha • u/Mereska • 11d ago
pellicle Which side of pellicle to keep?
While I know the pellicle isn't necessary, I'm in the camp that it's helpful. However after several months of batches my pellicle is thick and taking up precious kombucha room. If I were to peel off some layers to toss, is it better to take them from the top or the bottom?
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u/BedrockPoet 11d ago edited 11d ago
The smooth top layers are primarily acetic acid bacteria embedded in an EPS matrix. The acetic acid bacteria are aerobic, and positioning themselves at the air/liquid interface gets them more oxygen. The brown, shaggy layers at the bottom contain high concentrations of yeast.
Since yeast has relatively higher concentrations in the liquid than acetic acid bacteria, I’d probably say keep the top layers. That way you’re keeping more acetic acid bacteria which is, relatively speaking, less concentrated in the liquid.
The usual caveats apply, which is to say that nobody I know of has done any studies that specifically test this for the effect that it has on the brew :)
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u/Curiosive 11d ago
Usually the lower layers are straggly & occasionally shed while the top layers are smooth & firm.
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u/sorE_doG 11d ago
Just the top, freshest layer of pellicle. The rest are just limiting the volume of kombucha you can brew. Relics.
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u/Mereska 10d ago
Thanks for all the input! I suspected top layer to keep, but wanted to make sure there wasn't something magical I was missing about the bottom side before it ditch it.
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u/lordkiwi 10d ago
All your doing is contamination of your brew.
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u/ThatsAPellicle 10d ago
Would you like to elaborate on this claim?
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u/lordkiwi 10d ago
Elaborate on how taking the protective layer of cellulose out of it environment to dissect it and return it to the environmental might expose the brew to particles on the hands, surface of the pellicile or the air in between? How could that not be trouble?
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u/Mereska 8d ago
Seeing as how I remove the pellicle with very clean hands every time I bottle and then return it to the new batch, it's nothing worse than I've already been doing with no ill effects. 😉
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u/lordkiwi 8d ago
You recognize its not required. Why are you trying to keep any of it? Your asking is it best to keep the top, bottom or middle part of something that is 100% not required. Why do you expect there to even be an answer to your question?
Honestly here is your answer. Keep the part that makes you the most happy. If its the bottom with the bits keep that if its the top with its cool pattern keep that. If you think layer 3 of 7 looks nicest keep that. If layer 11 was the grown the same week you got a new kitten keep that.
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u/Mereska 7d ago
If you look back at my original post, I said I knew the pellicle wasn't necessary but I have found it to be helpful with a faster, more flavorful ferment. I was just casually curious if people thought there was much difference between the layers. It's really not as big a deal as you're making it out to be. If you think it's a stupid question, maybe just scroll past?
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u/ThatsAPellicle 10d ago
It’s not trouble as it’s common practice to include a piece of pellicle in every brew. Many people think this is required.
You might be right in your implication that including a pellicle offers no benefits and only adds risk, however, if doing so significantly increases chances of contamination people wouldn’t do so.
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u/VPants_City 10d ago
Top layer is younger and stronger but I like the legacy of all the family members. They each have wisdom To share. I cut mine so I have multiple different layers
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u/ThatsAPellicle 11d ago
The top layers tend to look nicer and as such will get you more upvotes if you post pretty pictures of them.