02
Dec
The most traditional and economical way to make kefir at home is using Milk Kefir Grains or a Milk Kefir Starter Kit. The same grains wont work indefinitely but since dairy kefir grains grow like gangbusters in milk if you keep them going in milk on the side youll have an endless supply without investing in water kefir grains.
Make sure your milk kefir grains are fully activated by allowing them to ferment 1 cup of milk whole milk for 24 hours then repeating three times in three days adding another cup of milk every 24 hours.
Can you use milk kefir grains to make water kefir. Advertentie Start your own Water Kefir with our live Starter Cultures monitored checked. Then I learned that you can make water kefir with milk kefir grains and here is how. If conditions are good milk kefir grains can double in just a week.
Divide them and rinse thoroughly. I just use regular tap water. Make sure your milk kefir grains are fully activated by allowing them to ferment 1 cup of milk whole milk for 24 hours then repeating three times in three days adding another cup of milk every 24 hours.
After this period allow the grains to drain keeping the Kefir to drink if so desired. Then rinse the grains thoroughly through a 132 inch strainer under cool clean water. Use these grains to convert.
Water kefir grains do not convert to milk kefir grains. If you only put them in milk they will eventually starve and die. Apparently there is a way to convert milk kefir grains to water kefir grains but it has never worked for me.
It might be technically possible with a lot of work to get water-kefir grains or more correctly SCOBY a Symbiotic Culture Of Bacteria and Yeast to survive on milk although Im not sure what kind of drink that would produce. Milk kefir contains numerous species of lactobacillus which require milk to keep going. In the case you convert your kefir grains to make water kefir youre adding sugar and sometimes dried fruits which then feeds your grains instead.
This is common sense really but its important to note that non-dairy milk will not go on culturing forever. The most traditional and economical way to make kefir at home is using Milk Kefir Grains or a Milk Kefir Starter Kit. While kefir grains do require a bit more maintenance it is possible to slow down kefir production and make less kefir to better fit your lifestyle.
It is impossible to make the kefir grains from scratch but you can multiply kefir grains from the already existing grains. The grains multiply and you can store them for a long long time provided that you take care of them properly. Milk kefir grains can be converted to water kefir grains in a simple process that takes only a few days.
If youve ever tried to use water kefir grains to ferment milk you may have come to this realization. Milk kefir grains are used specifically to culture milk. Traditionally dairy milk is used but vegan milks can also be substituted.
A popular one we enjoy is coconut milk made with the flesh and water. But some customers receive their milk kefir starter and dont see the grains in the milk. If you prefer you can strain the milk and add the grains directly.
Stir gently with a wooden or plastic spoon. You can also use raw milk for your kefir. Just make sure that the drink is as fresh as it can possibly be.
Raw milk has a set of its own bacteria and the older the milk is the higher the chances that these bacteria can become dangerous for the grains and for your health. You can actually use dairy kefir grains to make water kefir through a conversion process. The same grains wont work indefinitely but since dairy kefir grains grow like gangbusters in milk if you keep them going in milk on the side youll have an endless supply without investing in water kefir grains.
Learn how to make dairy kefir. Making kefir works best when you use milk kefir grains which can be purchased online or at nearly every health food store on the planet. Once you have your kefir grains you will also need a mason jar and a pint of milk preferably organic.
Do not use non-fat or ultra-pasteurized as these types of milk will not work. Put 2-4 Tbsp. Of kefir grains in a clean glass jar.
Pour 3 cups of coconut water into the jar. Stir gently and then cover with a lid and let sit at room temperature for 3-5 days. Taste it and if it is very sweet it needs to ferment longer.
Every day after its ready I strain the coconut water kefir into my blender to make a Hot Pink. Growing your own water kefir grains is not difficult if you are careful and you tend them properly you can make huge quantities of tibicos the water kefir grains. You need a few tibicos quality water sugar and various fruits.
To improve the process you may also add minerals to your water. You other option is to use the extra grains to make kefir with different types of milk. This way you can experiment with making goats milk kefir or kefir with a high fat milk content like table cream without risking your normal kefir supply.
Kefir made with goats milk is great for making salad dressings or creamy goat cheese. Advertentie Start your own Water Kefir with our live Starter Cultures monitored checked.