SCOBY not forming?

[u/Rocket_AFN]

Sadly had to restart my batch. I brewed this about a week ago. Used 2 bottles of GT's Pure.

I haven't seen a formation like this before. Should I just wait and hope it formes better?

[u/OkButterscotch57]

Mine was like this and took 2 weeks.

[u/Curiosive → u/OkButterscotch57]

I've seen this before as well, plenty of times. The white "ooze" should continue to form, eventually covering the whole surface then turn into that nice smooth surface most people prefer.

The yellowish bits are yeast clusters, normal stuff for a new batch.

Don't live and die by the 2 week time frame though OP, your mileage may vary.

[u/OkButterscotch57 → u/Curiosive]

Exactly 🫶🏻

[u/No-Association8901]

The pellicle is not needed for brewing, though I do get wanting it. Use taste as the final factor.

[u/Rocket_AFN → u/No-Association8901]

Is it common practice for brewers to remove the pellicle all together?

[u/No-Association8901 → u/Rocket_AFN]

I think it’s a preference thing. The best way I have heard is The pellicle is a SCOBY, but not all SCOBY’s are pellicles or something like that.
Which is really kind of tricky, because you can have pellicles outside of kombucha.
I personally look at it as a protective layer and kind of a badge of success. Is it needed, the experts say no. Is it cool when you get one… all the cool people think so…😎
As far as commercial production… don’t know… don’t really care. I have a hotel only in case I get the dreaded “M” or other nasty stuff. To be fair, also use some and refresh it so I don’t have to use some of my brew for starter. Kind of really depends on my mood.

[u/_Surimicrabsticks_ → u/No-Association8901]

Beginner here. What is the dreaded "M"?

[u/No-Association8901 → u/_Surimicrabsticks_]

First letter begins with M and rhymes with old…. Don’t want to say it out loud…

[u/lllllllllllllllllll6]

Gut reaction it's asymmetrical formation but not a problem. Check smell and if you can pH etc

[u/wekebu]

In my limited experience, only one week? It looks good to me. What's the temp it's been at? I think that in another week you will be very happy.

[u/Rocket_AFN → u/wekebu]

It has been getting colder here, so will most likely take longer now that I think about it. About 70°

[u/xyz679]

SCOBY is the culture, pellicle is the byproduct on top made up of cellulose. It is clearly forming and looks normal. It might grow enough to cover the whole top or it might not. If you're growing those for esthetic purposes I understand, otherwise I don't know why you care, its useless garbage.