Homemade Jun: The Ultimate Guide to Brewing the Champagne of Kombucha

Ready to level up your fermentation game? Discover how to brew Jun, the sophisticated cousin of kombucha that's taking the probiotic world by storm.

#What Is Jun, Anyway? The Fermented Tea You've Been Missing

Meet Jun (pronounced "june") – the elegant, slightly mysterious fermented tea that's been quietly bubbling away in health enthusiasts' kitchens for centuries. Made with green tea, raw honey, and a special SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast), Jun has earned its nickname as the "Champagne of Kombucha" for good reason.

Think of Jun as kombucha's lighter, more refined sibling. While traditional kombucha parties hard with black tea and sugar, Jun keeps it classy with green tea and honey. The result? A delicate, effervescent brew that's as refreshing as it is beneficial. Curious about the detailed differences? Check out our comprehensive Jun vs Kombucha comparison guide.

#Why Jun Rocks: 5 Reasons to Start Brewing Today

#1. Probiotic Powerhouse

Jun is teeming with beneficial bacteria and yeasts that support gut health, boost immunity, and may even improve mood. Your microbiome will thank you!

#2. Green Tea Antioxidants

All those catechins and polyphenols from green tea? They're still there, working their anti-inflammatory, metabolism-boosting magic.

#3. Raw Honey Benefits

Unlike regular sugar, raw honey brings enzymes, trace minerals, and antimicrobial properties to the fermentation party.

#4. Faster and Lighter Than Kombucha

Jun ferments in just 5-7 days (versus kombucha's 7-14), and the result is a lighter, more delicate flavor that won't pucker your face. Want to dive deeper into how Jun and kombucha stack up? Our detailed comparison breaks down all the differences.

#5. Natural Effervescence

With about 1-2% ABV, Jun develops a lovely natural fizz that rivals any fancy sparkling beverage – perfect for mocktail hour!

#What You'll Need: Your Jun Brewing Shopping List

#Ingredients:

• 4 cups filtered water (chlorine-free is essential)
• 2-3 tablespoons loose-leaf green tea (or 4 tea bags)
• 1/4 cup raw honey (must be raw – pasteurized won't work!)
• Jun SCOBY + 1/2 cup starter liquid (order online or get from a friend)

New to fermentation? Consider starting with a complete kombucha brewing starter kit – many of the same tools work perfectly for Jun brewing too!

#Equipment:

• 1-liter glass jar – Wide-mouth mason jars work beautifully
• Coffee filter or cloth + rubber band (for covering)
• Wooden spoon (avoid metal)
• Fine-mesh strainer – A quality stainless steel colander makes straining a breeze
• Glass bottles for storage (swing-top bottles are ideal)

For the fermentation enthusiast ready to dive deep into the craft, The Noma Guide to Fermentation offers incredible insights into advanced fermentation techniques that apply beautifully to Jun brewing.

#How to Brew Jun: Your Step-by-Step Guide

#Step 1: Make the Sweet Tea Base

Bring 4 cups of water to 175°F (80°C) – that's just before bubbles form. Remove from heat and steep your green tea for 3-5 minutes. Strain out the leaves using a fine-mesh strainer.

#Step 2: Add the Honey

While the tea is still warm (but not hot), stir in the raw honey until completely dissolved. This is crucial – too hot and you'll kill the beneficial enzymes!

#Step 3: Cool It Down

Let your honey-tea mixture cool to room temperature (68-75°F). Patience is key here – adding the SCOBY to hot liquid will kill it.

#Step 4: Introduce the SCOBY

Pour the cooled tea into your glass jar. Gently slide in your Jun SCOBY along with the starter liquid. The SCOBY might float, sink, or hover – all normal!

Don't have a Jun SCOBY yet? While Jun cultures are ideal, you can start with a quality kombucha SCOBY and gradually convert it by switching from sugar to honey over several batches.

#How to Make Jun SCOBY from Scratch

No Jun SCOBY? No problem! While it takes patience, you can grow your own Jun SCOBY from scratch using these methods:

#Method 1: Converting a Kombucha SCOBY

This is the most reliable DIY approach:

1. Start with a healthy kombucha SCOBY and starter tea
2. Make your first batch with 75% sugar and 25% raw honey
3. Each subsequent batch, increase honey by 25% while decreasing sugar
4. By the 4th batch, you'll be using 100% honey
5. The SCOBY will adapt to metabolize honey instead of sugar

#Method 2: Wild Fermentation (Advanced)

For the adventurous fermenter:

1. Mix 1 cup green tea (cooled) with 2 tablespoons raw honey
2. Cover with cheesecloth and leave in a warm spot
3. After 7-14 days, you might see a thin film forming (baby SCOBY!)
4. Feed it fresh sweetened green tea weekly
5. After 4-6 weeks, you should have a viable SCOBY

Important notes:

• Wild fermentation is unpredictable and may not always work
• Always use raw, unpasteurized honey (it contains wild yeasts)
• Keep everything extremely clean to avoid bad bacteria
• The conversion method has a much higher success rate

#Step 5: Cover and Wait

Cover your jar with a coffee filter or cloth secured with a rubber band. For a cleaner setup, leak-proof plastic lids for mason jars with holes punched in them work great too. Place in a warm spot (72-80°F) away from direct sunlight.

#Step 6: Taste and Test

After 5 days, start tasting daily using a clean spoon. Jun is ready when it's slightly tart with a hint of sweetness. For precision brewing, a digital pH meter can help you achieve consistent results – Jun is typically ready at pH 3.0-3.5.

#Step 7: Bottle and Enjoy

Reserve your SCOBY and 1/2 cup of liquid for your next batch. Pour the rest into bottles, leaving 1 inch of headspace. Refrigerate immediately or do a second ferment (see below).

#Quick Pro Tips for Jun Success

• Temperature Matters: Jun prefers slightly cooler temps than kombucha (72-78°F is ideal)
• Raw Honey Only: Pasteurized honey lacks the enzymes Jun needs to thrive
• Burp Your Bottles: If doing a second ferment, release pressure daily to avoid explosions
• SCOBY Hotel: Store extra SCOBYs in a jar with Jun liquid – they'll keep for months

• Clean Everything: But skip the antibacterial soap – hot water and vinegar work best
• Label Everything: A label maker is invaluable for tracking brew dates and flavors

Ready to scale up your operation? The Fermentaholics Pro Kombucha Brewing Kit includes everything you need for larger batches and works perfectly for Jun brewing too.

#Fun Flavor Ideas: Jazz Up Your Jun

Ready to get creative? Add these to your bottles before the second ferment:

#Summer Berry Bliss

• 2-3 fresh blueberries + squeeze of lime
• Ferment 1-2 days for a gorgeous purple fizz

#Garden Party

• 3 strawberry slices + 2 fresh basil leaves
• The sophisticated flavor combo that impresses everyone

#Ginger Zing

• 1 thin lemon slice + 1/4 inch fresh ginger
• Classic combo with probiotic benefits

#Floral Fantasy

• 1 tsp dried hibiscus + 2 dried rose buds
• Instagram-worthy pink brew with subtle floral notes

Pro tip: Add fruit to bottles, not the main ferment. Use about 10-20% fruit to Jun ratio, and always leave headspace for carbonation! Having a reliable labeling system helps you track which flavors are which and when they were bottled.

#FAQs: Your Burning Jun Questions Answered

#Can I use a kombucha SCOBY to make Jun?

While they look similar, Jun and kombucha SCOBYs have different bacterial cultures. You can try converting a kombucha SCOBY by gradually switching from sugar to honey over several batches, but results vary. For best results, start with a true Jun culture. If you're already brewing kombucha, check out our complete guide to homemade kombucha for comparison, or read our in-depth analysis of Jun vs Kombucha differences to understand which is right for you.

#Is Jun alcoholic?

Jun typically contains 1-2% ABV – about the same as overripe fruit. While technically alcoholic, it's generally considered non-alcoholic for practical purposes. Extended fermentation can increase alcohol content.

#How often can I brew?

With continuous brewing, you can have fresh Jun every 5-7 days! Just reserve your SCOBY and some starter liquid, and begin again. One SCOBY can last years with proper care. The Deluxe Kombucha Starter Kit includes bottles perfect for continuous brewing cycles.

#Can I make Jun SCOBY from scratch?

Yes! While buying a Jun SCOBY is easiest, you can create one by converting a kombucha SCOBY (gradually switching from sugar to honey over 4 batches) or through wild fermentation with raw honey and green tea. See our detailed instructions in the "How to Make Jun SCOBY from Scratch" section above.

#Is it safe for kids?

Due to the slight alcohol content and active cultures, most experts recommend limiting fermented beverages for children under 4. For older kids, dilute with water or juice and start with small amounts.

#Ready to Join the Jun Revolution?

Brewing Jun at home is easier than you think, and the results are absolutely worth it. With its delicate flavor, natural effervescence, and impressive health benefits, Jun might just become your new favorite fermented beverage.

Start with the basic recipe, master the technique, then let your creativity run wild with flavor combinations. Your gut (and your taste buds) will thank you!

Happy fermenting! Have you tried brewing Jun? Drop a comment below and share your favorite flavor combinations – we'd love to hear about your fermentation adventures!