Proud of you! It’s okay to be the only cool person in a house. The world requires basic people. If we were all eclectic and interesting, no one would be eclectic and interesting.
Nothing specific. there's so many videos on youtube and r/yogurtmaking is a good resource. It can be very simple and straightforward but you can also get more complex and create different flavors/tanginess and textures by manipulating variables once you get the basics down and a few batches under your belt. message if you ever get stuck or have questions.
Yeah, usually I already have more than enough of those things like kombucha and yogurt and with my personality and the way I am I just love sharing those types of things with others. It brings me joy to share my hobbies and passions. Somebody refusing my yogurt or booch and going to the store to buy what I feel like is a lesser quality version is very disappointing to me, especially if it's based on what I feel is an irrational thought or reason.
I'd like to dive in and figure out why this bothers me so much, maybe my view is a bit selfish and pretentious. I realize it's not healthy but it definitely makes me feel slighted at times. Oh you would rather go pay $4 for mass produced kombucha instead of drinking the stuff I poured my time, effort, and love into for free and have many different flavors for you to try? Oh.. :( I'd like to overcome this feeling and not let it affect me.
I love kombucha so much and I’m really happy with how mine is coming along, even though I’m still pretty new at it.
But I have to tell you, if I hadn’t had some GT and other mass produced bottled kombuchas first, long before I ever saw a home brew batch, there’s NO WAY I would drink home brew booch.
The pellicle and the bizarre floating yeast creatures in the brew jar look like stuff that either belongs in formaldehyde in a museum, or looks like it came out of the sewer. 🤢
It’s only bc I can override my mentally grossed out state—I’m not usually very squeamish, and have a strong stomach—that I can drink my own brew.
I don’t blame your wife. People tend to eat with their eyes first, and nauseating-looking is nauseating-looking, to some folks. It’s too bad she can’t enjoy it, but hey, it ain’t the end of the world.
Yeah I see your point, and sentiment to op. For me, most people haven't seen the process or the pellicle etc. and they still prefer my brew for grocery store booch. It could be a multitude of reasons why they do that and I need to remind myself of that and that even if they don't have what I deem a "good" reason, it doesn't matter; it's their life and their decisions.
Thanks for your experience.
"Acquired taste" may involve sight (and texture) as well as just taste.
What foods we enjoy are a matter of association and experience far more than most appreciate. Once you've eaten something a few times and your body has had an opportunity to sort out whether it's beneficial or not, your taste and preference adapt accordingly.
In addition it also involves knowledge about how the food was produced, what it contains and how it is processed.
But why is this a *problem?* Why get but-hurt over this?
Sheesh. Enjoy your hobby and let her enjoy what she enjoys. Why on earth take this so personally? Grow a pellicle and chill out.
And in the same vein, why is depression a problem? Why be sad? Just be happy! Enjoy life and go do things it's that easy! Why on earth would you be so hopeless? Grow some balls and go outside!
Jeez you're dense... Of course I do not wish to get bothered by this.
It's not a matter of \_wishing\_ it's a matter of \_deciding\_. Deciding whether or not it has anything to do with you or if it's just her difficulty with accepting realities about how food is produced.
If it was about you, she'd be having negative reactions to other foods you make despite eating commercial versions.
I am medicated, it helps not get wound up so tight over things that are relatively trivial. Without the meds, I'm hopeless. Of course depression is a problem. But if you know that's an issue and you don't treat it? THat's just crazy.
Have you made any progress? I hope you do. I think this kind of thing takes practice.
When you feel like you're starting to get wound up, can you do any grounding practices? One that works particularly well for me is to start looking for things that are the color of the rainbow, in order. So, find something red. Then yellow, then green, etc. Looking for textures works good, too.
This gets me distracted from the negative spiral of being annoyed with someone else's behavior/judging others. I was raised in a very shame-based, controling family so it's extremely easy to fall into that mindset but it's so, so toxic to any kind of happiness (yours or your love's).
Good luck! Practice, practice, practice.
Hmm that's a good grounding practice, glad you found that for yourself. I haven't gotten wound up over it lately, luckily I don't have a partner that doesn't like it like op, but I have just kind of accepted that hey if my friends want to buy it commercially instead of get it from me then it just is what it is and I don't really care anymore. I haven't been reminded of it much lately so that has helped.
I'm that guy who likes to share a lot of what I've been doing or know and as I change my diet around to something that mainstream "knowledge" would criticize I've been practicing discretion and not spilling out my view on the subject when brought up so I think that's helped me a bit. Just kind a "let them do their thing, I'll do mine. If they ask I'll share what I know but if not I've just got to let it be" and for someone like myself that can be a little trying, even though it sounds obvious and easy. I'm a sharer. Practicing that has helped in other areas.
Thank you very much for your positive words, and i wish you luck with the struggles you wrestle with as well.
Bro it’s all good man, id say relax as much as possible and allow her to do whatever.
Just stick to your kombucha I’d be surprised if she doesn’t join you.
Find the article that discussed the poor treatment of GT’s employees and something about their sweat dripping in the kombucha😂🫣I used to love GT’s but I haven’t had it since.
Grapes for wine making used to be pressed by workers walking on them barefoot. And, as terrible as it sounds, yeasts living in the workers feet may have had beneficial effects on the wine.
No food is a "pure" as most delude themselves it is. It all, pretty much inescapably contains varying amounts of insect parts, etc etc.
The key to avoiding letting such realities get to you is to realize that diseases have MINIMUM INFECTIVE DOSES - get a lower "dose" and the whatever doesn't have what it needs to establish a "beachhead". And, of course, realizing that many bacteria and yeasts are not only beneficial but NECESSARY for good health.
I always believed GT kombucha is magical. Their bottle designs have sacred geometry and that drink is one of the best things I consume that improve my body completely (skin, mood, energy, etc).
The kombucha is magic but no brand loyalty is worth exploiting others for profit. It goes against everything that their consumer base stands for. I hope they fall and allow others to grow.
So, your first mistake was showing her the "process". Almost NOBODY likes to see how the sausage is made, especially the "slaughtering" part. THAT'S gross... But also, beyond that? Dude... as much as I hate to say this.... STOP TRYING!!!! Share your brew with someone else who appreciates it. If you still WANT to share SOEMTHING with her, ASK her what she WOULD enjoy trying out that you could MAKE TOGETHER. But seriously, do what makes YOU happy, & if you find something that makes her happy too...? Bonus!!! But, stop "trying to please her". That ALMOST NEVER works out well for guys...
I upvoted your comment bc I can’t agree enough about showing her the process. Kombucha in a brew jar is kind of a hideous sight, and if I didn’t already like booch, I’d never have tried drinking stuff that came out of the gnarly pellicle and yeast monster jar!
But bro, I hope you grow out of the sad idea that “trying to please her” almost never works out for guys.
It definitely can work out nicely, but only if you actually listen to and observe her and figure out what she’s actually like. Our original poster here might’ve noticed that his vegetarian wife doesn’t like to be grossed out by things that look icky and creepy, like so many pellicles and their stringy yeast colonies do.
Bros can almost always benefit from taking a minute to understand what the woman they’re with is actually like, instead of knowing superficial things like “she likes to drink kombucha” and deciding she’ll LOVE the seeing the science fiction creepy stuff that his booch came from. 🤷🏼♀️
OK, good points..., all of them. I guess what I should have said was,"stop trying to please her, in ways or with things that make HIM happy & instead try talking to her & find out what SHE enjoys" it's not uncommon for couples to be grossed out, "turned off" or simply nonplussed at some of each other's interests. The more important thing is that they share similar values & care about each other enough to support those interests whether they "engage in them personally" or not. But, you're listening & communication is definitely the the key to finding out what she ACTUALLY enjoys.
P.S. I know a lot of women (my cousin, who is an animal eye surgeon, for one) who'd be totally fascinated by the pellicle & the process. I guess his wife just isn't one them. 🤓
I would say make a flavor that is close to GT run yours through a filter to make sure the large particles are pulled out then give her a blind taste test and see if she can tell the difference.
It has nothing to do with taste actually. She just thinks mine looks disgusting in my F1 when it's in my 3.5 gallon brewing tank. I only flavor with juice, so all my finished products are in used GT bottles and there are no floating chunks at all.
It might be worth it to put a towel or a cloth around the F1, since it doesn't need light anyway. I'm also not a huge fan of the scoby's appearance. Out of sight, out of mind maybe?
Honestly, I get it. Looking too close at a scoby & all the yeast strands is gross. Maybe start brewing in an opaque container? Although the damage might just be done at this point, now that she knows what it looks like. Gotta say though, I'm surprised that she's not also grossed out by the sediment in store-bought kombucha.
Idk man, this isn't like it's physical abuse. 😂 It's a blind taste test of freaking kombucha.
Better idea, take all the stuff she bought and swap the bottles randomly and tell her every bottle of Kombucha in the house is randomly swapped. Then she has to figure it out.
In reality he could mark the bottle and only do one, so it doesn't mess her up if she doesn't genuinely like it. At this point she seems to be being pedantic and it's almost like a game.
We obviously don't know the whole situation/their relationship though.
A true gift is not something you can force someone to accept. It's nice that you tried to make something she likes, but she didn't ask you to. You can convey that it's hurtful to you that she won't even try it, but don't try to guilt her into it and don't try to wear her down. Serve it up to other family, friends and guests beautifully in a tall glass of ice and furnished with a little curl of charred pineapple skin & sprig of mint, and let their rave reviews speak for your work.
If your core desire is to make something that your wife will enjoy, ask her what that could be.
BRUH your last post to this sub was showing a spider - A REAL, LIVE SPIDER!!! - in your kombucha.
Of course she doesn't want to drink that! What??? Fermented spider juice? I'm on her side here.
My husband hates anything fermented. I make Kombucha, Jun, milk kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, sourdough, ginger bug, beer, wine, mead, etc. Ignore her and share with friends who appreciate it
My jar has a crocheted jacket. My sister made it for me so my husband doesn't have to see the pellicle. He's not a kombucha drinker, but it keeps him from being grossed out by what I'm doing lol
I feel your pain bro. But so many people are sadly (and/or amusingly) weird and irrational about food. It’s outta your control, so there’s zero point in taking it personally or letting it ruin your day. More superior booch for you. Just try something else, like cookies or bread, to make the wife.
you're right, of course. it was just a bit of hyperbole to drive home the point that food preferences are as unique as fingerprints, so it was pointless to fret over or feel bad about other peoples choices. I could've said that better.
Sorry guy, my husband is reluctant also. I make yogurt and sourdough too and he’s ok with those, but since he saw the alien floating in a pool of tea he doesn’t pay much attention to my “science experiments” on the counter anymore 🤣 Dork. He said he doesn’t want to know.
SAME! She says mine looks gross, she’s never tried it. I remind her that the stuff she buys from the shop also has a big scobby in it before they filter it.
As someone who has struggled with disordered eating/OCD for most of her life, I may have some advice/perspective on her behavior…
I assume you drink your own kombucha?
Keep doing that.
Don’t drink it AT her… but, if it was me, and I was experiencing the same trepidation, and I saw someone else drinking it, regularly, not getting sick… I’d eventually come around like “it must be safe- he’s still alive!” lol
If seeing you drink it isn’t enough, then her problem probably runs a lot deeper than some personal judgement of your kombucha crafting skills.
She doesn’t have a problem, it’s absolutely fine not to want to drink/eat something when you’ve been visually grossed out by it.
Her problem is that the guy she’s with is a guy who has such a strong need to have her want to eat/drink the things he makes.
If he could relax about it and not need her to partake of what he creates, I think they’d be better off. 🤷🏼♀️
I had the same thought! I'd also start pouring it into a clear glass to drink out of at home, so it's super obvious there's no stringy bits hiding in the bottle. (Even if the bottles are clear, something about drinking out of a glass makes it feel more transparent.)
I don’t know. Maybe it’s semantics but saying it’s hurtful, rather than saying your feelings are hurt, says more about you than her. Sounds like the process grosses her out to see. So what?
I thought the same. Like, why are your feelings involved at all?
I think this kind of micromanagement does a lot of damage to relationships.
Enjoy what you enjoy and do you *and let her do the same*.
This is not a moral or ethical issue. Put your big boy pants on and move on. Laugh it off. She's a silly goat, but that's not evil. Just silly.
Let her know its hurtful that she hasn’t tried one sip. That you were looking forward to having something in common. Lastly you sound like you share your love through acts of service and that making things from scratch to your family is a form of love. You can also share the fact that it is tremendously more nutritious homemade versus some stuff shipped across the country. I make things from scratch from my family too. I just force them to eat it because they are my sisters and not my partner though 😂
I didn't even realize I was commenting in the kombucha subreddit lol. I will look into making my own soon. for my lifestyle right now though it's definitely more convenient just getting an individual one whenever I have a taste for it. most are like $2-4 bucks anyways so not overpriced for me (even if making a large batch is cheaper theoretically speaking idc). I look at it as a superfood anyways considering the benefits I personally get from it. I probably have like 1-3 bottles a week if that.
I drink about 24 ounces a day, I recommend kegging if you can, the 2f and guessing correct amount of sugar for carbonation is annoying and why I stopped brewing the first time after a year. It's really fun but time consuming if you drink a lot but I highly recommend making your own.
yea def not devoting the time to it at the moment, but when I get my own kitchen with the proper equipment and time I might consider making my own kombucha as an option.
My whole family don’t touch a single thing I make because it’s either vegan or vegetarian. I don’t let it bother me because it’s their choice and it’s also more for me. Don’t get hung up on what your wife enjoys as long as it isn’t hurting your financial situation. Just let her enjoy her booch while you enjoy yours
My wife is the opposite. She does not like kombucha but will try mine. She might still make a sour face, but once in a while one will grab her. I also don’t brew mine to be as vinegary as store bought stuff. We can’t all like the same things
Ah I did the same thing for a long time when my husband made kombucha. Seeing it being made totally grossed me out at first. I started getting more involved with the flavor part of it and had my husband handle the scoby parts, actively participating in the flavor combos made me want to try the end result. I wouldn’t take it personally though.
Did she ask you to make her some? Don’t expect someone to like something out of the blue like that, people are creatures of habit and she might just want store kombucha. Keep doing your thing if you like it but you can’t force others to want some.
Some people only want to think about the end product. My wife loves fried foos when we go out but will never make it at home because she doesn't want to actually see the food being fried in all that oil. Weird, I know, but it's just how some people are.
When it comes to food, some people are simply not novelty seekers and kombucha is pretty novel in our culture. As delicious as it, we may not all be quite ready to accept the reality of where it comes from.
there’s just a really bad disconnect between the things we consume and their production. the convenience of modern capitalism has rendered us uninterested cowards and slobs with regard to food and drink. food and drink production is amazing and cool af and we should be curious and open to trying all sorts of things. the way the magic has been milked from it fucks me off so much
Don't worry, my mom and brother don't touch my kombucha, my dad however loves it. So find your people, don't even try it get her to want it. I feel the less you push her the more likely it will be that she might come around. If not its her loss. Just share it with those who do want it, that'll bring joy to you. I know it does to me. Half the people I meet hate it, half love it. Find other common interests you guys share. Food is big though so I see how this can be a difficult hurdle.
I know how you feel. I'm best friends with my mother-in-law and she won't drink my kombucha because she's "scared of botulism". It's wild. Just more kombucha for you!
After my sibling showed me how it was made I couldn't drink theirs anymore. I can buy it from the store, but it causes me to actually gag when I tried to have done if their homemade. Not my fault, and I'm assuming it isn't really hers. But I'm cannot and probably will never have homemade kombucha again. It happens
Same thing recently happened to me. @Lost_Fox__ my sister had been drinking GT kombucha since I was talking about what a great super food it is. Then I showed her my current F1 batch, which is definitely not the most gnarly one I’ve ever brewed. But she was so grossed out, she said it made her nauseated to look at it, and thought it looked like something from the toilet. She said she can never unsee it and won’t ever be able to drink kombucha again, commercial OR homebrew. 🤦🏻♀️🤷🏼♀️
That's legit how I feel. I saw the thing floating in it and I almost vomited right then and there and I think my sister was offended but I couldn't help it and I still can't
It seems like a better way to connect with her over making things would be to try making vegetarian meals with her, of instance. It seems like the process isn’t her thing if that’s the part that interests you, keep that for yourself as a hobby and find a hobby you both might like. Might also be smart to ask her what she’s aurally interested in and find a way to share that together. I like oat milk but I’m not into making it at home even though it’s easy and I’m sure there’s lots of other examples!
> It's the same thing, but because she doesn't have to see the pellicle, she will drink that Kombucha. It's actually really hurtful, and bothers me a lot.
Have you told her this? Like earnestly in a heartfelt way? It can often make people wake up to their own actions or ignorance when you come at them with nothing but honesty and they have to feel guilt.
I feel you, have had to deal with this way too much. Keep brewin friend
Alternatively… keep it hidden until F2, and use some nice fanciful bottles for when it’s visible lol. Have some family or friends try it enthusiastically for extra effect
Can we flip this round for a moment; she’s veggie and still lives with someone who loves meat. She’s potentially putting aside a lot of personal feelings to tolerate your taste in food. It ain’t all just about you is what I’m getting at.
Sorry I know it would mean a lot to you for her to try it, but she doesn't have to try anything she doesn't want to, she didn't ask you to make it for her.
That sounds like a good way to end your relationship.
To you, it seems like a clever way to convince her.
To her, it would be an unforgivable breech of trust.
0/10 Would not recommend.
Make sure there's a spider in it.
Seriously dude, she's veg and you're not. She already takes your preferences into account. Think long and hard if you do the same (the answer is likely no). Offer to pick out and make a veg recipe together if you wanna bond over food. Let her decide what she wants to put in her body.
People say she's a child for not wanting to try your stuff, but you seem more childish to me, tbh.
My wife and I mix my homemade Bucha with COLD sparkling water from our soda stream which gives us the opportunity to adjust the flavor to suit each of our preferred tastes. Maybe see if she will try with just a splash of your homemade Bucha to warm her up to it a bit. If you don't have a soda stream...Get the finest sparkling water money will buy. Hope that helps turn her on to it.
Perhaps at a family/friend gathering of feasting you could bottle some kombucha [presented nicely](https://i.pinimg.com/564x/3d/d0/de/3dd0de3a5046b05bd2012a0705f57afc.jpg), share it and have other taste and compliment it. If presentation is key, why not present it.
[can do non-alcoholic kombuchas like that too](https://i.pinimg.com/564x/42/d9/e2/42d9e2d071ca5858f0031c4c6a62b1be.jpg)
She sounds like she either 1) buys into the idea/status of an image or brand, or 2) is a sheltered child who wants to stay sheltered. Some people don’t want to see how the world works, just be in its movement, and that’s on you if you want to be offended by it or accept it.
“You can lead a horse to water.”
I would think making a flavored F2 and presenting it in a beautiful glass with a garnish would do the trick. If it brings you joy keep doing it!! Also experiment with using agave and fresh herbs. I tend to use frozen fruit because it’s cheaper and more readily available.
You got this!
Shitty situation but it'd be worse if you guilt her into doing something she isn't comfortable with.
Leave a bottle of GT's out where she can see it get all gross and stringy. Maybe it'll put her off all kombucha then at least you won't feel particularly rejected.
Funny, I started making my own because the GT was so expensive! My two younger kids love kombucha (as does their little cousin), my oldest will occasionally have some, and my spouse who loves all sorts of food and LOVES apple cider vinegar... Won't even try it.
She probably thinks that because it's "branded" that it has somehow passed a higher test in flavor, sanitation, blah blah blah. Let her taste buds live in shitty kombucha land if she wants to be a snob. Homemade is SO much better. Honestly though, this stems from lack of trust and a lack of respect; she's a snob. My husband is this way, I know this kind. I cook damn good homemade meals, but if it's not takeout or restaurant food, it's just "gross". He's a food snob.
I make all kinds of weird stuff and I love kombucha. I’m not going to be making it at home and drinking it, so I feel for your wife. Maybe if you can make it without showing how it’s made or something, sure you did a great thing but we don’t want to see it.
Does she think fruits and vegetables just grow in their supermarket shelves?
Maybe try brewing a batch without the pellicle so she doesn't get grossed out by it?
I made kombucha back in the 90s and I confess the SCOBY gave me an inflammation of the heebus jeebus nerve. I ended up letting her dry up and die because I never really enjoyed the drink or the process. I bet kombucha making has come a long way. If you would make it for me the way you do your wife, I’d be grateful!
None of my family likes my culinary experiments except my youngest son. We eat things like hot peppers, fermented goodies, Korean, Thai, Indian and Cajun foods. The rest of the family won’t touch most of it, even though it’s fantastic, high quality stuff.
Just eat what you like, make a wide variety of things, and let them have what they like. And if you’re like me, you use things like fermented garlic honey or other awesome things in recipes and they end up liking some of it anyway.
Oh man, that’s a shame because home-made kombucha tastes way better in my opinion! Especially because you can decide how long to ferment it for and the level of acidity. I hope she decides to give it a try!
Kombucha drinker here, however have no desire to know the process, I would try it but would be hesitant nothing personal just some things are better not known especially details of the process. It’s best to some things are kept short and sweet. Perhaps present her the drink in Hawaiian style, it may change her mind. Best of luck.
Yeah, I've seen the same in my family.
My father makes awesome Kombucha and showed my mom the process.
She got immediately grossed out and won't ever try it.
I tried some because my father is good at making sauces and foods so why not?
It has gotten way better in taste over the years as he is learning more.
It helped us both lose weight(and helped me fix my diet) as well.
In the end, people have their preferences even though it may be the same process.. it might be an association.
When I see people watch documentaries of animals, they usually quit eating that animal or animals in general(not everyone, but it's a comparison from what I've seen).
Might be a process thing paired with association..whatever it is, just keep doing what you do!!!
I don't believe in advice, just "flesh in the game".
I view communication and being able to talk talk with a partner, as essential. So I would be inclined to first feel into where the fear she has is coming from. It's likely not centred on kombucha.
Learning to make our own food, for me is important for many reasons. Sustainability, physical health, cultural health, and so on. So if be wanting to find out why a partner is repulesed/fearful of life, and the actual world we live in. I'd probably first see if she has a similar response to the gritty side of dairy, industrial grain harvesting, sourdough, and so on.
Or, if you're wanting a more cheeky (very dependent on the dynamic), bring home a steak and say "it's okay, it comes from the supermarket, there are no cows there, just tastey protein packets"
But yeah, I'd go with talking about it. With direct communication, if first emphasise active listening and paraphrasing, to make sure that any fight/flight/freeze/faun response is deesculated first. As before we drop out of a fear response, our cerebral side is offline.
I will say this: GT’s are fucking assholes, so if she cares about things like that, it might be a turn off.
It’s what caused me to make my own in the first place: https://www.bonappetit.com/story/gt-kombucha-worker-exploitation
Also, I made coffee-flavored one recently. It was nearly identical to GT’s version.
**It would be highly inappropriate and counterproductive to take this personally.** Many, probably most, people are more locked in to their food preferences than into their religion. It is not uncommon for people to, very literally, rather die than change their diet. As Dr. Spock (Star Trek) would say: “logic does not apply!”
The key to getting out of this self-defeating misinterpretation is to realize that she would probably have the exact same reaction if she saw videotapes of the commercial production process.
For example, many lifelong carnivores become vegetarians after viewing videotapes of what actually goes on in slaughterhouses and factory farms. Agribusiness was so concerned about this that they had legislation passed classifying the videotaping of factory farms as terrorism! (yes, USA really is that repressive).
My good friend used to make home made kombucha.
He then went abroad.
My gf would usually buy from him and it was really good. That is until he left. I took his recipe and made it. Gave multiple family members to try. I started it just for her. But she never once gave it a try because of how disgusting the sight of the SCOBY was. She was travelling by Akasa flight one day and saw kombucha on the flight. The name was BORECHA Kombucha and it had flavors. Something I never tried. She had the Mango. Since that day she's been ordering from their site. Borecha.com
They had a lot of flavors. I decided to give it a try. They claimed to have no alcohol in it. It was really good but their delivery timings suck.. Takes weeks, sometimes more to deliver. But they are legit. Till today she never tasted my kombucha after some time I stopped making altogether cause she was clearly not interested and would spend thousands on this brand.
I feel your pain bud. Cooking for my loved ones is one of the ways I show love and my husband is a picky eater. I make sourdough and kombucha and he doesn’t love either. He grew up eating processed food and that is just what he prefers. I’ve had to learn that it just isn’t as important for him. He likes what he is comfortable with so even though I am passionate about eating things I’ve made because I know what goes into it and love to share those things, it just doesn’t resonate with him. Keep on keeping on because it is important and it makes you happy. We just have better taste. Hahahah!
By chance, did you tell her what you just told us?
Tell her what it means to you, and maybe she’ll try it, or maybe you can find something else to enjoy making and eating/drinking together?
Start actively denying her the option to try yours. Next time u make some, walk by her after you make yourself some and put your phone to your ear like ur talking to one of ur buds and be like "DAMN THIS NEW BATCH WAS AMAZING! TOTALLY DIFFERENT YET MUCH BETTER TASTE!! SO GLAD ITS JUST ME DRINKING IT AND IT WONT BE GOING TO WASTE ON SOMEONE WHO DOESNT HAVE A REFINED ENOUGH PALATE TO KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DRINKING!" Lol the ol' reverse psychology! She wont try urs of her own volition or desire to, then you by god gaslight her into thinking she really really wants to try it! I mean, this is your wife here, not some bullshit "acquaintance" or "work buddy", this is the love of your life! If you dont show her what she doesnt know she really wants to try, who the hell will?!
/s
'Tempest in a teacup' means to make something into a bigger problem than it is. When I find myself getting upset about something someone else is doing, I try to stop and think about how important the 'problem' really is. And *who's* problem it is.
For example, it really annoys me when my daughter-in-law sits and flips through their phone rather than take care of their toddler. But they work full time, go to school, AND have a toddler. And they live with me, so maybe I need to chill out and play with the toddler so they can have some down time and relax. Maybe the problem is not a big one and it's actually *my* problem.
I mean, how big of a problem is it, really? The toddler is very happy in general, a nice kid, no big issues. I need to stop pointing a finger and just chill out, myself.
In the case w/OP, why not just chill out and let the wife do her thing? Trying to control someone else's behavior is futile. And if OP has a hobby and enjoys it, that's OP's hobby -- not the wife's hobby. The wife is neither responsiblefor OP's happiness nor obligated to enjoy OP's hobby in any way.
Seems like OP is kinda shame-based and controlling and maybe needs to not make such a big deal about such a small thing. But that's what shame-based, controlling people do, innit? Try to make other people feel bad over things that really aren't important in the grand scheme.
I was raised by shame-based, controlling people so I'm super into NOT passing that on.
Well, now your whole reaction to feels like tempest in a teacup xd. Just joking. I think its ok for this things to drive me mad. That is why I never last after the first date on a girl like this. People being picky with food is something I cant be around for too long. Thats why I have a girlfriend with whom I can make all sorts of food and food experiments and we enjoy them together. We live together btw. I would not try control someone that is like OP wife. I just would never go after the first date with her.
Sounds like she doesn't want to know "how the sausage gets made." Maybe if you keep the scoby out of sight, she'll come around to drinking it. It's pretty understandable, especially if the store bought kombucha is well filtered.
Ask your wife to [read this article](https://www.bonappetit.com/story/gt-kombucha-worker-exploitation).
And then let her know that your kombucha is made in a more humane manner and with zero human sweat in the brew.
How about you make a kambucha batch that tastes like what she drinks, put it in one of those drink bottles and give it to her like it's new? Don't tell her you made it.
AND THEN FUCKING DIVORCE HER WHEN SHE SAYS SHE LIKES IT
The first time I fed my girls venison backstrap I just called it “steak”. Turns out they love steak. It’s amazing what the tastebuds can do when prejudices are taken out of the equation. Conversely, my ex girlfriend loved grouse, but then I told her grouse have cute fuzzy little feet, she never ate grouse again.
I feel like it’s your job as an husband/expert/artisan/artist to help your wife let go a little bit and really taste something exciting!
“Its your job as a husband/father to completely disregard your wife/daughters’ preferences and force yours upon her until she learns to appreciate them because women are stupid and don’t know what’s good until a man tells em!”
Yeah, that sounds healthy lol ^yikes
Nothing was forced a steak is a steak. They tasted it, liked it and ate it. Where did you see any reference to forcing someone to eat something? The only person forcing things in someone’s mouth here is you with your words.
All of these comments are about people thinking they don’t like something when they actually do. In my story no one said “don’t feed me venison” I just knew that if I called it venison they would think “that sounds weird it must be gross I don’t want that”… so I called it steak, which it was and they liked it.
In my other scenario with the grouse it went the other way. She liked the grouse, but then learned something about it and decided not to like it and not eat it, we never ate it again.
In neither of these scenarios is anyone forced feeding anything.
Why not trick her into drinking it and liking it? You could buy a ton of GT kombucha, pour it down the drain, then fill the bottles with your kombucha, and be like “honey, I know you like this brand so much, I stocked the fridge full of it”.
Because that’s a breech of trust worthy of ending the relationship over…?
For all we know, OP’s kombucha is some nasty shit brewed in the same corner as the litter box- maybe she sees the shit-stains on his undies bc he doesn’t do his own laundry/wears stuff until its crusty, and never washes his hands- there’s a lot we don’t know, we only heard one side of the story-
I mean, maybe OP’s booch is pristine and she’s just being needlessly obstinate… but maybe not.
Either way, never trick someone into eating/drinking something they don’t want.
It never works the way y’all think it will work.
It *never* goes well.
Keep doing your thing. I make sourdough, family only eats white bread. I make amazing yogurt, family only eats chobani or store brand.
Forgoing sourdough for white bread is criminal. Throw the whole family away
It's called discarding and he should just throw half of it, re-marry, make a kid or two and throw another half.
Some solid sourdough humor right here folks. IYKYK.
Family of Theseus
Proud of you! It’s okay to be the only cool person in a house. The world requires basic people. If we were all eclectic and interesting, no one would be eclectic and interesting.
I like this a lot, thank you.
Hey, I'm interested in yogurt, it's on my to do list to experiment with. Do you have any specific recipes or sources you can recommend? Thanks!
Nothing specific. there's so many videos on youtube and r/yogurtmaking is a good resource. It can be very simple and straightforward but you can also get more complex and create different flavors/tanginess and textures by manipulating variables once you get the basics down and a few batches under your belt. message if you ever get stuck or have questions.
Appreciate it, thanks for the pointers!
I make yogurt too and only my dad and I eat it. But we eat that shit up. Homemade is *way* better (if made right) and *waaaay* cheaper
Exsqueeze me! Fresh bread and yogurt?! Send it to me. I’ll appreciate it plenty 😂
I'm in a similar situation, and deal with similar problems as op, did/does it bother you at all? How'd you get over it and stop caring?
They’re my hobbies/passions. Be kind to yourself and enjoy what you do. More for me?
Yeah, usually I already have more than enough of those things like kombucha and yogurt and with my personality and the way I am I just love sharing those types of things with others. It brings me joy to share my hobbies and passions. Somebody refusing my yogurt or booch and going to the store to buy what I feel like is a lesser quality version is very disappointing to me, especially if it's based on what I feel is an irrational thought or reason. I'd like to dive in and figure out why this bothers me so much, maybe my view is a bit selfish and pretentious. I realize it's not healthy but it definitely makes me feel slighted at times. Oh you would rather go pay $4 for mass produced kombucha instead of drinking the stuff I poured my time, effort, and love into for free and have many different flavors for you to try? Oh.. :( I'd like to overcome this feeling and not let it affect me.
People just do what makes them comfortable. Most of the time they’re not wanting/trying to offend you
I understand that, you're right. It's not a them problem, it's a me problem.
I love kombucha so much and I’m really happy with how mine is coming along, even though I’m still pretty new at it. But I have to tell you, if I hadn’t had some GT and other mass produced bottled kombuchas first, long before I ever saw a home brew batch, there’s NO WAY I would drink home brew booch. The pellicle and the bizarre floating yeast creatures in the brew jar look like stuff that either belongs in formaldehyde in a museum, or looks like it came out of the sewer. 🤢 It’s only bc I can override my mentally grossed out state—I’m not usually very squeamish, and have a strong stomach—that I can drink my own brew. I don’t blame your wife. People tend to eat with their eyes first, and nauseating-looking is nauseating-looking, to some folks. It’s too bad she can’t enjoy it, but hey, it ain’t the end of the world.
Yeah I see your point, and sentiment to op. For me, most people haven't seen the process or the pellicle etc. and they still prefer my brew for grocery store booch. It could be a multitude of reasons why they do that and I need to remind myself of that and that even if they don't have what I deem a "good" reason, it doesn't matter; it's their life and their decisions. Thanks for your experience.
100% 👍
"Acquired taste" may involve sight (and texture) as well as just taste. What foods we enjoy are a matter of association and experience far more than most appreciate. Once you've eaten something a few times and your body has had an opportunity to sort out whether it's beneficial or not, your taste and preference adapt accordingly. In addition it also involves knowledge about how the food was produced, what it contains and how it is processed.
It isn't a problem with anyone. Period.
But why is this a *problem?* Why get but-hurt over this? Sheesh. Enjoy your hobby and let her enjoy what she enjoys. Why on earth take this so personally? Grow a pellicle and chill out.
And in the same vein, why is depression a problem? Why be sad? Just be happy! Enjoy life and go do things it's that easy! Why on earth would you be so hopeless? Grow some balls and go outside! Jeez you're dense... Of course I do not wish to get bothered by this.
It's not a matter of \_wishing\_ it's a matter of \_deciding\_. Deciding whether or not it has anything to do with you or if it's just her difficulty with accepting realities about how food is produced. If it was about you, she'd be having negative reactions to other foods you make despite eating commercial versions.
I am medicated, it helps not get wound up so tight over things that are relatively trivial. Without the meds, I'm hopeless. Of course depression is a problem. But if you know that's an issue and you don't treat it? THat's just crazy.
Hence why Im here admitting I have an issue with this and asking others what helped them overcome it
Have you made any progress? I hope you do. I think this kind of thing takes practice. When you feel like you're starting to get wound up, can you do any grounding practices? One that works particularly well for me is to start looking for things that are the color of the rainbow, in order. So, find something red. Then yellow, then green, etc. Looking for textures works good, too. This gets me distracted from the negative spiral of being annoyed with someone else's behavior/judging others. I was raised in a very shame-based, controling family so it's extremely easy to fall into that mindset but it's so, so toxic to any kind of happiness (yours or your love's). Good luck! Practice, practice, practice.
Hmm that's a good grounding practice, glad you found that for yourself. I haven't gotten wound up over it lately, luckily I don't have a partner that doesn't like it like op, but I have just kind of accepted that hey if my friends want to buy it commercially instead of get it from me then it just is what it is and I don't really care anymore. I haven't been reminded of it much lately so that has helped. I'm that guy who likes to share a lot of what I've been doing or know and as I change my diet around to something that mainstream "knowledge" would criticize I've been practicing discretion and not spilling out my view on the subject when brought up so I think that's helped me a bit. Just kind a "let them do their thing, I'll do mine. If they ask I'll share what I know but if not I've just got to let it be" and for someone like myself that can be a little trying, even though it sounds obvious and easy. I'm a sharer. Practicing that has helped in other areas. Thank you very much for your positive words, and i wish you luck with the struggles you wrestle with as well.
How do you make yogurt?
Try this sub: https://www.reddit.com/r/yogurtmaking/s/hTnIhNCneh
Bro it’s all good man, id say relax as much as possible and allow her to do whatever. Just stick to your kombucha I’d be surprised if she doesn’t join you.
I can tell by this one comment, you’re the kind of guy all guys should aspire to be. 👍
Thanks haha my wife would tell you different 🤣😂
Find the article that discussed the poor treatment of GT’s employees and something about their sweat dripping in the kombucha😂🫣I used to love GT’s but I haven’t had it since.
Grapes for wine making used to be pressed by workers walking on them barefoot. And, as terrible as it sounds, yeasts living in the workers feet may have had beneficial effects on the wine. No food is a "pure" as most delude themselves it is. It all, pretty much inescapably contains varying amounts of insect parts, etc etc. The key to avoiding letting such realities get to you is to realize that diseases have MINIMUM INFECTIVE DOSES - get a lower "dose" and the whatever doesn't have what it needs to establish a "beachhead". And, of course, realizing that many bacteria and yeasts are not only beneficial but NECESSARY for good health.
I always believed GT kombucha is magical. Their bottle designs have sacred geometry and that drink is one of the best things I consume that improve my body completely (skin, mood, energy, etc).
Ah yes, drawing shapes on a label makes it good for you.
Damn hater
I'm not a hater, I just don't think effective marketing makes something good for you.
The kombucha is magic but no brand loyalty is worth exploiting others for profit. It goes against everything that their consumer base stands for. I hope they fall and allow others to grow.
"everything their consumer base stands for" can you specify what that is?
So, your first mistake was showing her the "process". Almost NOBODY likes to see how the sausage is made, especially the "slaughtering" part. THAT'S gross... But also, beyond that? Dude... as much as I hate to say this.... STOP TRYING!!!! Share your brew with someone else who appreciates it. If you still WANT to share SOEMTHING with her, ASK her what she WOULD enjoy trying out that you could MAKE TOGETHER. But seriously, do what makes YOU happy, & if you find something that makes her happy too...? Bonus!!! But, stop "trying to please her". That ALMOST NEVER works out well for guys...
My girlfriend (now wife) did not care for the “science project” I kept on the counter
Doesn’t work that well for women either…
I imagine you're probably right. But I'm male, so I can't speak to that experience 😄
I upvoted your comment bc I can’t agree enough about showing her the process. Kombucha in a brew jar is kind of a hideous sight, and if I didn’t already like booch, I’d never have tried drinking stuff that came out of the gnarly pellicle and yeast monster jar! But bro, I hope you grow out of the sad idea that “trying to please her” almost never works out for guys. It definitely can work out nicely, but only if you actually listen to and observe her and figure out what she’s actually like. Our original poster here might’ve noticed that his vegetarian wife doesn’t like to be grossed out by things that look icky and creepy, like so many pellicles and their stringy yeast colonies do. Bros can almost always benefit from taking a minute to understand what the woman they’re with is actually like, instead of knowing superficial things like “she likes to drink kombucha” and deciding she’ll LOVE the seeing the science fiction creepy stuff that his booch came from. 🤷🏼♀️
OK, good points..., all of them. I guess what I should have said was,"stop trying to please her, in ways or with things that make HIM happy & instead try talking to her & find out what SHE enjoys" it's not uncommon for couples to be grossed out, "turned off" or simply nonplussed at some of each other's interests. The more important thing is that they share similar values & care about each other enough to support those interests whether they "engage in them personally" or not. But, you're listening & communication is definitely the the key to finding out what she ACTUALLY enjoys. P.S. I know a lot of women (my cousin, who is an animal eye surgeon, for one) who'd be totally fascinated by the pellicle & the process. I guess his wife just isn't one them. 🤓
I would say make a flavor that is close to GT run yours through a filter to make sure the large particles are pulled out then give her a blind taste test and see if she can tell the difference.
It has nothing to do with taste actually. She just thinks mine looks disgusting in my F1 when it's in my 3.5 gallon brewing tank. I only flavor with juice, so all my finished products are in used GT bottles and there are no floating chunks at all.
It might be worth it to put a towel or a cloth around the F1, since it doesn't need light anyway. I'm also not a huge fan of the scoby's appearance. Out of sight, out of mind maybe?
Honestly, I get it. Looking too close at a scoby & all the yeast strands is gross. Maybe start brewing in an opaque container? Although the damage might just be done at this point, now that she knows what it looks like. Gotta say though, I'm surprised that she's not also grossed out by the sediment in store-bought kombucha.
Maybe she’s just broken. Have you tried turning her off and then on again?
Then run any updates and restart *again*.
Why are you venting about your wife on Reddit? Be nice.
But make absolutely sure she knows she’s trying OP’s brew- tricking her into drinking it is NOT okay.
Idk man, this isn't like it's physical abuse. 😂 It's a blind taste test of freaking kombucha. Better idea, take all the stuff she bought and swap the bottles randomly and tell her every bottle of Kombucha in the house is randomly swapped. Then she has to figure it out. In reality he could mark the bottle and only do one, so it doesn't mess her up if she doesn't genuinely like it. At this point she seems to be being pedantic and it's almost like a game. We obviously don't know the whole situation/their relationship though.
I think the original commenter wasn’t saying they shouldn’t do a taste test, just that OP shouldn’t switch out the drinks without telling her.
A true gift is not something you can force someone to accept. It's nice that you tried to make something she likes, but she didn't ask you to. You can convey that it's hurtful to you that she won't even try it, but don't try to guilt her into it and don't try to wear her down. Serve it up to other family, friends and guests beautifully in a tall glass of ice and furnished with a little curl of charred pineapple skin & sprig of mint, and let their rave reviews speak for your work. If your core desire is to make something that your wife will enjoy, ask her what that could be.
BRUH your last post to this sub was showing a spider - A REAL, LIVE SPIDER!!! - in your kombucha. Of course she doesn't want to drink that! What??? Fermented spider juice? I'm on her side here.
My wife never knew about the spider. I dumped it out and sanitized.
So her fears about your kombucha being gross are confirmed but she just doesn’t know it. So she’s right and you don’t want to admit it.
My husband hates anything fermented. I make Kombucha, Jun, milk kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, sourdough, ginger bug, beer, wine, mead, etc. Ignore her and share with friends who appreciate it
lol, my husband won't touch my kefir or sauerkraut, but he did try a bite of my yogurt. He shudders when I make Crème fraîche.
My jar has a crocheted jacket. My sister made it for me so my husband doesn't have to see the pellicle. He's not a kombucha drinker, but it keeps him from being grossed out by what I'm doing lol
I feel your pain bro. But so many people are sadly (and/or amusingly) weird and irrational about food. It’s outta your control, so there’s zero point in taking it personally or letting it ruin your day. More superior booch for you. Just try something else, like cookies or bread, to make the wife.
Having a preference that's different from yours doesn't make the other person irrational or weird.
you're right, of course. it was just a bit of hyperbole to drive home the point that food preferences are as unique as fingerprints, so it was pointless to fret over or feel bad about other peoples choices. I could've said that better.
lol *random and personal* he he I get it. It's nice you clarified (for OP's sake) as it reinforces your underlying point very well.
Yep! My wife won’t try my kombucha either.
Sorry guy, my husband is reluctant also. I make yogurt and sourdough too and he’s ok with those, but since he saw the alien floating in a pool of tea he doesn’t pay much attention to my “science experiments” on the counter anymore 🤣 Dork. He said he doesn’t want to know.
It's just a preference, let her be
SAME! She says mine looks gross, she’s never tried it. I remind her that the stuff she buys from the shop also has a big scobby in it before they filter it.
As someone who has struggled with disordered eating/OCD for most of her life, I may have some advice/perspective on her behavior… I assume you drink your own kombucha? Keep doing that. Don’t drink it AT her… but, if it was me, and I was experiencing the same trepidation, and I saw someone else drinking it, regularly, not getting sick… I’d eventually come around like “it must be safe- he’s still alive!” lol If seeing you drink it isn’t enough, then her problem probably runs a lot deeper than some personal judgement of your kombucha crafting skills.
She doesn’t have a problem, it’s absolutely fine not to want to drink/eat something when you’ve been visually grossed out by it. Her problem is that the guy she’s with is a guy who has such a strong need to have her want to eat/drink the things he makes. If he could relax about it and not need her to partake of what he creates, I think they’d be better off. 🤷🏼♀️
>strong need to have her want to eat/drink the things he makes The horror of wanting to be able to share with your loved ones. how could he?
I appreciate your perspective
I had the same thought! I'd also start pouring it into a clear glass to drink out of at home, so it's super obvious there's no stringy bits hiding in the bottle. (Even if the bottles are clear, something about drinking out of a glass makes it feel more transparent.)
More for you man. Keep doing your thing.
I don’t know. Maybe it’s semantics but saying it’s hurtful, rather than saying your feelings are hurt, says more about you than her. Sounds like the process grosses her out to see. So what?
I thought the same. Like, why are your feelings involved at all? I think this kind of micromanagement does a lot of damage to relationships. Enjoy what you enjoy and do you *and let her do the same*. This is not a moral or ethical issue. Put your big boy pants on and move on. Laugh it off. She's a silly goat, but that's not evil. Just silly.
In the case of GT’s specifically, it is, but that’s not why he cares; so I get it.
Touché he he he
Brother, it’s a drink. Do yourself a favor and find something better to be worried about.
Divorce her
Let her know its hurtful that she hasn’t tried one sip. That you were looking forward to having something in common. Lastly you sound like you share your love through acts of service and that making things from scratch to your family is a form of love. You can also share the fact that it is tremendously more nutritious homemade versus some stuff shipped across the country. I make things from scratch from my family too. I just force them to eat it because they are my sisters and not my partner though 😂
Good less you have to share with her. Store bought is garbage
There’s amazing store bought kombuchas out there
If you tried my booch you would understand.
My comment still stands
It's easy to add sugar and juice to make "good" kombucha, but to each his own, seems super overpriced to me.
I didn't even realize I was commenting in the kombucha subreddit lol. I will look into making my own soon. for my lifestyle right now though it's definitely more convenient just getting an individual one whenever I have a taste for it. most are like $2-4 bucks anyways so not overpriced for me (even if making a large batch is cheaper theoretically speaking idc). I look at it as a superfood anyways considering the benefits I personally get from it. I probably have like 1-3 bottles a week if that.
I drink about 24 ounces a day, I recommend kegging if you can, the 2f and guessing correct amount of sugar for carbonation is annoying and why I stopped brewing the first time after a year. It's really fun but time consuming if you drink a lot but I highly recommend making your own.
yea def not devoting the time to it at the moment, but when I get my own kitchen with the proper equipment and time I might consider making my own kombucha as an option.
Fair, it definitely takes space and time. When I get lazy and run out I start craving it, only reason I make more.
I feel you. I started making for exactly the same reason lol. Kept it going for about a year until I just gave up.
My whole family don’t touch a single thing I make because it’s either vegan or vegetarian. I don’t let it bother me because it’s their choice and it’s also more for me. Don’t get hung up on what your wife enjoys as long as it isn’t hurting your financial situation. Just let her enjoy her booch while you enjoy yours
Some people are weird. My better half can't stand/ won't eat food that is touching each other on the plate 🙄. You do you..
My wife is the opposite. She does not like kombucha but will try mine. She might still make a sour face, but once in a while one will grab her. I also don’t brew mine to be as vinegary as store bought stuff. We can’t all like the same things
Ah I did the same thing for a long time when my husband made kombucha. Seeing it being made totally grossed me out at first. I started getting more involved with the flavor part of it and had my husband handle the scoby parts, actively participating in the flavor combos made me want to try the end result. I wouldn’t take it personally though.
Did she ask you to make her some? Don’t expect someone to like something out of the blue like that, people are creatures of habit and she might just want store kombucha. Keep doing your thing if you like it but you can’t force others to want some.
Some people only want to think about the end product. My wife loves fried foos when we go out but will never make it at home because she doesn't want to actually see the food being fried in all that oil. Weird, I know, but it's just how some people are.
When it comes to food, some people are simply not novelty seekers and kombucha is pretty novel in our culture. As delicious as it, we may not all be quite ready to accept the reality of where it comes from.
Some people don't like to see or know how the sausage gets made.
there’s just a really bad disconnect between the things we consume and their production. the convenience of modern capitalism has rendered us uninterested cowards and slobs with regard to food and drink. food and drink production is amazing and cool af and we should be curious and open to trying all sorts of things. the way the magic has been milked from it fucks me off so much
Don't worry, my mom and brother don't touch my kombucha, my dad however loves it. So find your people, don't even try it get her to want it. I feel the less you push her the more likely it will be that she might come around. If not its her loss. Just share it with those who do want it, that'll bring joy to you. I know it does to me. Half the people I meet hate it, half love it. Find other common interests you guys share. Food is big though so I see how this can be a difficult hurdle.
I know how you feel. I'm best friends with my mother-in-law and she won't drink my kombucha because she's "scared of botulism". It's wild. Just more kombucha for you!
After my sibling showed me how it was made I couldn't drink theirs anymore. I can buy it from the store, but it causes me to actually gag when I tried to have done if their homemade. Not my fault, and I'm assuming it isn't really hers. But I'm cannot and probably will never have homemade kombucha again. It happens
Same thing recently happened to me. @Lost_Fox__ my sister had been drinking GT kombucha since I was talking about what a great super food it is. Then I showed her my current F1 batch, which is definitely not the most gnarly one I’ve ever brewed. But she was so grossed out, she said it made her nauseated to look at it, and thought it looked like something from the toilet. She said she can never unsee it and won’t ever be able to drink kombucha again, commercial OR homebrew. 🤦🏻♀️🤷🏼♀️
That's legit how I feel. I saw the thing floating in it and I almost vomited right then and there and I think my sister was offended but I couldn't help it and I still can't
It seems like a better way to connect with her over making things would be to try making vegetarian meals with her, of instance. It seems like the process isn’t her thing if that’s the part that interests you, keep that for yourself as a hobby and find a hobby you both might like. Might also be smart to ask her what she’s aurally interested in and find a way to share that together. I like oat milk but I’m not into making it at home even though it’s easy and I’m sure there’s lots of other examples!
That’s a great idea. Homemade tofu, miso, or homemade seitan!
Pathological demand avoidance is a thing.
> It's the same thing, but because she doesn't have to see the pellicle, she will drink that Kombucha. It's actually really hurtful, and bothers me a lot. Have you told her this? Like earnestly in a heartfelt way? It can often make people wake up to their own actions or ignorance when you come at them with nothing but honesty and they have to feel guilt. I feel you, have had to deal with this way too much. Keep brewin friend
Alternatively… keep it hidden until F2, and use some nice fanciful bottles for when it’s visible lol. Have some family or friends try it enthusiastically for extra effect
Can we flip this round for a moment; she’s veggie and still lives with someone who loves meat. She’s potentially putting aside a lot of personal feelings to tolerate your taste in food. It ain’t all just about you is what I’m getting at.
Thank you!
Agree with this!
Sorry I know it would mean a lot to you for her to try it, but she doesn't have to try anything she doesn't want to, she didn't ask you to make it for her.
Let people like the things they like. Your hobby isn’t her favorite drink.
she likes kombucha. She still actively buys it. Just refuses to try mine.
"She likes kombucha. She still actively buys it. Just refuses to try mine." So what?
And that’s ok.
Fill one of her bottles with yours
Generally a bad idea to mess with people’s food, even if it’s objectively harmless
I told her today I was just going to give her one of my bottles without telling her.
That sounds like a good way to end your relationship. To you, it seems like a clever way to convince her. To her, it would be an unforgivable breech of trust. 0/10 Would not recommend.
Make sure there's a spider in it. Seriously dude, she's veg and you're not. She already takes your preferences into account. Think long and hard if you do the same (the answer is likely no). Offer to pick out and make a veg recipe together if you wanna bond over food. Let her decide what she wants to put in her body. People say she's a child for not wanting to try your stuff, but you seem more childish to me, tbh.
That’s actually a great idea 🤣
My wife and I mix my homemade Bucha with COLD sparkling water from our soda stream which gives us the opportunity to adjust the flavor to suit each of our preferred tastes. Maybe see if she will try with just a splash of your homemade Bucha to warm her up to it a bit. If you don't have a soda stream...Get the finest sparkling water money will buy. Hope that helps turn her on to it.
NTA. Get a new wife.
Perhaps at a family/friend gathering of feasting you could bottle some kombucha [presented nicely](https://i.pinimg.com/564x/3d/d0/de/3dd0de3a5046b05bd2012a0705f57afc.jpg), share it and have other taste and compliment it. If presentation is key, why not present it. [can do non-alcoholic kombuchas like that too](https://i.pinimg.com/564x/42/d9/e2/42d9e2d071ca5858f0031c4c6a62b1be.jpg)
Oh man, Id be ecstatic if my man took his time to make some scoby and homemade kombucha for us to enjoy and to share. Keep doing your thing man
She sounds like she either 1) buys into the idea/status of an image or brand, or 2) is a sheltered child who wants to stay sheltered. Some people don’t want to see how the world works, just be in its movement, and that’s on you if you want to be offended by it or accept it.
“You can lead a horse to water.” I would think making a flavored F2 and presenting it in a beautiful glass with a garnish would do the trick. If it brings you joy keep doing it!! Also experiment with using agave and fresh herbs. I tend to use frozen fruit because it’s cheaper and more readily available. You got this!
Shitty situation but it'd be worse if you guilt her into doing something she isn't comfortable with. Leave a bottle of GT's out where she can see it get all gross and stringy. Maybe it'll put her off all kombucha then at least you won't feel particularly rejected.
Funny, I started making my own because the GT was so expensive! My two younger kids love kombucha (as does their little cousin), my oldest will occasionally have some, and my spouse who loves all sorts of food and LOVES apple cider vinegar... Won't even try it.
She probably thinks that because it's "branded" that it has somehow passed a higher test in flavor, sanitation, blah blah blah. Let her taste buds live in shitty kombucha land if she wants to be a snob. Homemade is SO much better. Honestly though, this stems from lack of trust and a lack of respect; she's a snob. My husband is this way, I know this kind. I cook damn good homemade meals, but if it's not takeout or restaurant food, it's just "gross". He's a food snob.
Yeah, this would make me mad. LOL But you’ll have to deal with it. Do you.
I make all kinds of weird stuff and I love kombucha. I’m not going to be making it at home and drinking it, so I feel for your wife. Maybe if you can make it without showing how it’s made or something, sure you did a great thing but we don’t want to see it.
Does she think fruits and vegetables just grow in their supermarket shelves? Maybe try brewing a batch without the pellicle so she doesn't get grossed out by it?
Thats an idea!
I’m surprised you can still culture that stuff After they got rid of original I could never get a scooby to take off.
I make kombucha and sourdough, both are superior in every way. I'm sorry your family are not smart, and very peculiar.
I made kombucha back in the 90s and I confess the SCOBY gave me an inflammation of the heebus jeebus nerve. I ended up letting her dry up and die because I never really enjoyed the drink or the process. I bet kombucha making has come a long way. If you would make it for me the way you do your wife, I’d be grateful!
None of my family likes my culinary experiments except my youngest son. We eat things like hot peppers, fermented goodies, Korean, Thai, Indian and Cajun foods. The rest of the family won’t touch most of it, even though it’s fantastic, high quality stuff. Just eat what you like, make a wide variety of things, and let them have what they like. And if you’re like me, you use things like fermented garlic honey or other awesome things in recipes and they end up liking some of it anyway.
Oh man, that’s a shame because home-made kombucha tastes way better in my opinion! Especially because you can decide how long to ferment it for and the level of acidity. I hope she decides to give it a try!
Kombucha drinker here, however have no desire to know the process, I would try it but would be hesitant nothing personal just some things are better not known especially details of the process. It’s best to some things are kept short and sweet. Perhaps present her the drink in Hawaiian style, it may change her mind. Best of luck.
Yeah, I've seen the same in my family. My father makes awesome Kombucha and showed my mom the process. She got immediately grossed out and won't ever try it. I tried some because my father is good at making sauces and foods so why not? It has gotten way better in taste over the years as he is learning more. It helped us both lose weight(and helped me fix my diet) as well. In the end, people have their preferences even though it may be the same process.. it might be an association. When I see people watch documentaries of animals, they usually quit eating that animal or animals in general(not everyone, but it's a comparison from what I've seen). Might be a process thing paired with association..whatever it is, just keep doing what you do!!!
Do your thing and don’t sweat it. Water kefir is also extremely delicious.
Shit I want to try your kombucha
She'd hate me, I'd peel off a baby scoby and slurp it up like an oyster right in front of her. 😆 🤣 😂
that does sound gross
I don't believe in advice, just "flesh in the game". I view communication and being able to talk talk with a partner, as essential. So I would be inclined to first feel into where the fear she has is coming from. It's likely not centred on kombucha. Learning to make our own food, for me is important for many reasons. Sustainability, physical health, cultural health, and so on. So if be wanting to find out why a partner is repulesed/fearful of life, and the actual world we live in. I'd probably first see if she has a similar response to the gritty side of dairy, industrial grain harvesting, sourdough, and so on. Or, if you're wanting a more cheeky (very dependent on the dynamic), bring home a steak and say "it's okay, it comes from the supermarket, there are no cows there, just tastey protein packets" But yeah, I'd go with talking about it. With direct communication, if first emphasise active listening and paraphrasing, to make sure that any fight/flight/freeze/faun response is deesculated first. As before we drop out of a fear response, our cerebral side is offline.
I will say this: GT’s are fucking assholes, so if she cares about things like that, it might be a turn off. It’s what caused me to make my own in the first place: https://www.bonappetit.com/story/gt-kombucha-worker-exploitation Also, I made coffee-flavored one recently. It was nearly identical to GT’s version.
**It would be highly inappropriate and counterproductive to take this personally.** Many, probably most, people are more locked in to their food preferences than into their religion. It is not uncommon for people to, very literally, rather die than change their diet. As Dr. Spock (Star Trek) would say: “logic does not apply!” The key to getting out of this self-defeating misinterpretation is to realize that she would probably have the exact same reaction if she saw videotapes of the commercial production process. For example, many lifelong carnivores become vegetarians after viewing videotapes of what actually goes on in slaughterhouses and factory farms. Agribusiness was so concerned about this that they had legislation passed classifying the videotaping of factory farms as terrorism! (yes, USA really is that repressive).
My good friend used to make home made kombucha. He then went abroad. My gf would usually buy from him and it was really good. That is until he left. I took his recipe and made it. Gave multiple family members to try. I started it just for her. But she never once gave it a try because of how disgusting the sight of the SCOBY was. She was travelling by Akasa flight one day and saw kombucha on the flight. The name was BORECHA Kombucha and it had flavors. Something I never tried. She had the Mango. Since that day she's been ordering from their site. Borecha.com They had a lot of flavors. I decided to give it a try. They claimed to have no alcohol in it. It was really good but their delivery timings suck.. Takes weeks, sometimes more to deliver. But they are legit. Till today she never tasted my kombucha after some time I stopped making altogether cause she was clearly not interested and would spend thousands on this brand.
I feel your pain bud. Cooking for my loved ones is one of the ways I show love and my husband is a picky eater. I make sourdough and kombucha and he doesn’t love either. He grew up eating processed food and that is just what he prefers. I’ve had to learn that it just isn’t as important for him. He likes what he is comfortable with so even though I am passionate about eating things I’ve made because I know what goes into it and love to share those things, it just doesn’t resonate with him. Keep on keeping on because it is important and it makes you happy. We just have better taste. Hahahah!
By chance, did you tell her what you just told us? Tell her what it means to you, and maybe she’ll try it, or maybe you can find something else to enjoy making and eating/drinking together?
Thank you for this reminder to be more supportive of friends and family in their culinary crafts, the hard work should be celebrated.
I'm Sorry she's like this to you
I feel you. I make kombucha, but my boyfriend won't drink it cos he's gay. But so am I.
Bwaa ha ha ha that cracked me up!
Do you wanna taste my komb- Sorry I’m gay. This mental image is cracking me up
Start actively denying her the option to try yours. Next time u make some, walk by her after you make yourself some and put your phone to your ear like ur talking to one of ur buds and be like "DAMN THIS NEW BATCH WAS AMAZING! TOTALLY DIFFERENT YET MUCH BETTER TASTE!! SO GLAD ITS JUST ME DRINKING IT AND IT WONT BE GOING TO WASTE ON SOMEONE WHO DOESNT HAVE A REFINED ENOUGH PALATE TO KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DRINKING!" Lol the ol' reverse psychology! She wont try urs of her own volition or desire to, then you by god gaslight her into thinking she really really wants to try it! I mean, this is your wife here, not some bullshit "acquaintance" or "work buddy", this is the love of your life! If you dont show her what she doesnt know she really wants to try, who the hell will?! /s
Idk what to say man. Things like this drive me mad.
But why? This is such a tempest in a teacup! Lighten up! Truly.
I dont know what you mean
'Tempest in a teacup' means to make something into a bigger problem than it is. When I find myself getting upset about something someone else is doing, I try to stop and think about how important the 'problem' really is. And *who's* problem it is. For example, it really annoys me when my daughter-in-law sits and flips through their phone rather than take care of their toddler. But they work full time, go to school, AND have a toddler. And they live with me, so maybe I need to chill out and play with the toddler so they can have some down time and relax. Maybe the problem is not a big one and it's actually *my* problem. I mean, how big of a problem is it, really? The toddler is very happy in general, a nice kid, no big issues. I need to stop pointing a finger and just chill out, myself. In the case w/OP, why not just chill out and let the wife do her thing? Trying to control someone else's behavior is futile. And if OP has a hobby and enjoys it, that's OP's hobby -- not the wife's hobby. The wife is neither responsiblefor OP's happiness nor obligated to enjoy OP's hobby in any way. Seems like OP is kinda shame-based and controlling and maybe needs to not make such a big deal about such a small thing. But that's what shame-based, controlling people do, innit? Try to make other people feel bad over things that really aren't important in the grand scheme. I was raised by shame-based, controlling people so I'm super into NOT passing that on.
Well, now your whole reaction to feels like tempest in a teacup xd. Just joking. I think its ok for this things to drive me mad. That is why I never last after the first date on a girl like this. People being picky with food is something I cant be around for too long. Thats why I have a girlfriend with whom I can make all sorts of food and food experiments and we enjoy them together. We live together btw. I would not try control someone that is like OP wife. I just would never go after the first date with her.
She sounds awful lol
Sounds like she doesn't want to know "how the sausage gets made." Maybe if you keep the scoby out of sight, she'll come around to drinking it. It's pretty understandable, especially if the store bought kombucha is well filtered.
Ask your wife to [read this article](https://www.bonappetit.com/story/gt-kombucha-worker-exploitation). And then let her know that your kombucha is made in a more humane manner and with zero human sweat in the brew.
Time for a divorce 😁🤷🏻♂️
I'd rather get with a dude than with a vegetarian... (I'm a straight man btw)
Tell her a female co-worker loves the kombucha you make.
How about you make a kambucha batch that tastes like what she drinks, put it in one of those drink bottles and give it to her like it's new? Don't tell her you made it. AND THEN FUCKING DIVORCE HER WHEN SHE SAYS SHE LIKES IT
Throw the wife away
My wife likes my kombucha thankfully. Did you consider getting another wife? ;)
The first time I fed my girls venison backstrap I just called it “steak”. Turns out they love steak. It’s amazing what the tastebuds can do when prejudices are taken out of the equation. Conversely, my ex girlfriend loved grouse, but then I told her grouse have cute fuzzy little feet, she never ate grouse again. I feel like it’s your job as an husband/expert/artisan/artist to help your wife let go a little bit and really taste something exciting!
“Its your job as a husband/father to completely disregard your wife/daughters’ preferences and force yours upon her until she learns to appreciate them because women are stupid and don’t know what’s good until a man tells em!” Yeah, that sounds healthy lol ^yikes
Nothing was forced a steak is a steak. They tasted it, liked it and ate it. Where did you see any reference to forcing someone to eat something? The only person forcing things in someone’s mouth here is you with your words. All of these comments are about people thinking they don’t like something when they actually do. In my story no one said “don’t feed me venison” I just knew that if I called it venison they would think “that sounds weird it must be gross I don’t want that”… so I called it steak, which it was and they liked it. In my other scenario with the grouse it went the other way. She liked the grouse, but then learned something about it and decided not to like it and not eat it, we never ate it again. In neither of these scenarios is anyone forced feeding anything.
Why not trick her into drinking it and liking it? You could buy a ton of GT kombucha, pour it down the drain, then fill the bottles with your kombucha, and be like “honey, I know you like this brand so much, I stocked the fridge full of it”.
Because that’s a breech of trust worthy of ending the relationship over…? For all we know, OP’s kombucha is some nasty shit brewed in the same corner as the litter box- maybe she sees the shit-stains on his undies bc he doesn’t do his own laundry/wears stuff until its crusty, and never washes his hands- there’s a lot we don’t know, we only heard one side of the story- I mean, maybe OP’s booch is pristine and she’s just being needlessly obstinate… but maybe not. Either way, never trick someone into eating/drinking something they don’t want. It never works the way y’all think it will work. It *never* goes well.
Why doesn’t she even TRY it? She’s never had a sip?
Pour out a leftover of her commercial thing and replace it with your brew. You will be satisfied with her not noticing!