Due to the confusion, some #kumbucha brewers think the pellicle is required for the brewing process. Only the #SCOBY is. "Kombucha" and "SCOBY" are synonymous. I've found that the pellicle just grows over time and takes up space in the brewing container, reducing overall output. When I make kombucha, and it completes the primary fermentation, I toss the pellicle, bottle 3/4 of the container, and use the remaining kombucha (SCOBY) to start the next batch. n/n