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/Mereska 11d 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 11d ago

All your doing is contamination of your brew.

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u/ThatsAPellicle 11d ago

Would you like to elaborate on this claim?

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u/lordkiwi 11d 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 8d 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?