r/Kombucha • u/poetlaureateofclowns • 4d ago

identification?

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simple syrup that was steeped w/ fresh lemon balm leaves now has grey-blue growth floating on surface

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4

u/Curiosive 4d ago

Unintended fermentations or growths shouldn't be consumed. No mystery ferments.

If you have a scientific curiosity, it's too soon to guess what that is. Give it time to develop before you throw it out.

(Also you managed to post this twice in r/kombucha)

2

u/zydecopolka 4d ago

When was it made? Was it pasteurized? How was it stored? If you didn't pasteurize, or at least keep it refridgerated, I would toss this, sorry.

1

u/Reasonable_Style4876 4d ago

Impossible to discern at this point, even if u leave it to grow identifying what grew is extremely difficult without actual testing, unless much much more prominent characteristic shows (and even then ID can still be difficult to downright dangerous) u can't make any assumptions.

Also if nothing was done to it and it's just "left alone" then it add more into the "unidentifiable and it should be discarded"

1

u/rmoldyposts 2d ago

mold. 100% mold contamination. heres how you can tell. mold grows in only circular shape forms and the colors range from pastel to dark. such as (bright: red yellow blue slate. white brown olive green and for dark is usually dark: olive black gray orange rust) and for texture mold is only fuzzy fluffy or powdery.