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Kombucha is a fizzy drink made by fermenting tea with a special mix of bacteria and yeast. As the Kombucha culture grows, it produces a microbial cellulose pellicle called SCOBY, and acronym for "symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast". This slimy, floating layer is made of nano fibers of cellulose and other polymers and polysaccharides, and can be extracted, dried and turned into functional “vegan” leather. The dried material feels like a cross between leather and paper, and is sustainably grown and fully biodegradable in its natural state.
Step 1:
Make the
Kombucha
Ingredients:
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1 cup of sugar
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8 bags of black tea
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2 cups kombucha drink (this "starter tea" makes the culture acidic in order to stop other bacteria from growing)
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1 gallon purified water
Tools:
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Baking trays
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Cloth (cut to cover the dimensions of the baking trays)
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Drying rack or equivalent
Instructions:
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Boil the water, sugar and black tea. Steep until the water is cool.
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Add the kombucha.
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Transfer the liquid to trays and add the SCOBY.
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Cover the trays with a few layers of tightly-woven cloth and secure with a rubber band or tape.
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Ferment for 7-10 days. Keep the trays at room temperature and out of direct sunlight.
Step 2: ​Dry the SCOBY
Instructions:
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Remove the SCOBY layer from the tray. It should be a uniform layer that feels slimy to the touch.
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Wash the layer with water and a small amount of soap (this will remove any sugar residue that makes the leather sticky).
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Place the SCOBY layer on a drying rack or any equivalent.
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Dry at room temperature for a minimum of 2 days. ​
Step 3: Using the leather
Ideas:
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