Why would I ever fry and eat my SCOBY? It would be like murder! Attuning to nonhumans through kombucha fermentation practices

Kombucha fermentation is a multispecies activity guided by human-microbe interactions. This study investigates kombucha practices as platform to recognize relationality with nonhuman microbes. For this, relational theories enable reframing relations focusing on reciprocity and interconnectedness within relations. The empirical research consists of interviews, design probing task, collective reflection workshop brewers. delivers insights into the agency microbes, sensory experiences, embodied knowledge in practices. Findings investigate how humans attune needs role embeddedness ethical doings. In this way, explores alternative ways relating nonhumans beyond prevalent human exceptionalist mindsets sustainability. By interpreting findings, proposes methodological theoretical implications for designers recognition nonhumans.