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Originating in Mexico, water kefir grains (also known as Sugar Kefir Grains) allow for the fermentation of sugar water or juice to create a carbonated lacto-fermented beverage. Incredibly easy to brew, the starter culture can create a new batch of kefir every 24-48 hours. This makes a fantastic non-dairy alternative to milk kefir and can be flavored after brewing to make a variety of delicious sodas. If you are looking to replace soda pop, your family will love it!
- Traditional heirloom-style kefir culture (aka "grains" due to appearance); not a powdered starter culture
- Gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan
- Reusable culture; makes a new batch of kefir every 24-48 hours
- With proper care, the culture can be used indefinitely to create delicious probiotic rich kefir
- Cultures on the counter at 67-80°F, no heating appliance required
- Can be used with sugar water, fruit juice and coconut water
Description: Kefir consists of lactic acid bacteria and yeast existing in a symbiotic relationship. The benefits are similar to those of milk kefir (aka dairy kefir) but the average person will be able to consume larger amounts of it due to its water base. Click here for information on the numerous strains of yeast and bacteria generally known to comprise water kefir grains.
Please note, kefir grains may or may not multiply due to a number of factors but they can be used repeatedly to create wonderful carbonated beverages.
Ingredients: Organic Rapadura (sugar), Water.
Water Kefir Grains are produced in a facility that also processes dairy, soy, wheat, nut, and fish products. Water Kefir Grains are a vegan starter culture (no animal-by products).
Shipping Information: Water kefir grains are shipped as a starter culture in a dehydrated state in a barrier sealed packet and will need to be rehydrated prior to use. Please keep in a cool dry place until you are ready to make your first batch of kefir.
Each Packet of Water Kefir Starter Grains: 2 teaspoons live active kefir grains in a dehydrated state (will rehydrate to 3-4 tablespoons of grains; sufficient to yield 2-3 quarts of kefir every 24-48 hours).
Detailed culturing instructions will be included with your order and can be found here.
Questions on Water Kefir Grains
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- From Jill G at 12/28/10 1:02 PM
- What kind of bacteria will my finished kefir contain after using your water kefir grains?
- While each batch is likely to vary a bit, kefir is generally thought to contain the following:
Lactobacilli
Lactobacillus galactose
Lb. brevis
Lb. casei subsp. casei
Lb. paracasei subsp. paracasei
Lb. casei subsp. Ramos
Lb. casei subsp. tolerant
Lb. coraciiform subsp. torquens
Lb. fructose
Lb. hilarities
Lb. homophobia
Lb. plantarum
Lb. pseudo plantarum
Lb. admonishes
Streptococci/lactococci
Streptococcus cremeris
Str. faecalis
Str. lactis
Leuconostoc mesenteroides
Pediococcus damnosus
Yeasts
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
S. florentinus
S. pretoriensis
Candida valida
C. lambica
Kloeckera apiculata
Hansenula yalbensis
- Do you find this question helpful? Yes No
- From wendy at 1/23/11 9:29 PM
- Hi-
My son has multiple food allergies. Are these processed with nuts, eggs, milk or casein?
Thank you - Our water kefir grains are processed without any nuts, eggs, milk, or casein, However, we are required to inform our customers that they are processed in a facility that may also be used to process nuts, eggs, milk, soy, or casein.
We believe our water kefir is very clean and pure, but if you have severe allergies to any of these products, you may wish to purchase from another source. - Do you find this question helpful? Yes No
- Hi-
- From Kika at 2/17/11 3:59 PM
- Do I need to purchase special grains for water kefir or can my milk kefir grains adapt to use for water kefir?
- It is possible to convert milk kefir grains to survive in and culture water, but they will not produce exactly the same result as true water kefir grains. Water grains can not be converted to milk kefir grains, however.
- Do you find this question helpful? Yes No
- From Shirley at 2/23/11 7:14 AM
- Is there more then one starter is this box? If I do not continue or lose my first batch can I start fresh without purchasing again?
Thank you,
Shirley - The packet contains enough grains to culture 1 to 2 quarts of water after rehydration. Theoretically, you can reuse these grains indefinitely. With luck, they will begin to reproduce so you eventually have enough grains to culture more water at a time, or even to give to friends.
If you need to take a short break, you can put them in a jar of sugar water and keep them in the refrigerator for a week or so. If you need a longer break, we have instructions to dry them and freeze them for long-term storage. - Do you find this question helpful? Yes No
- Is there more then one starter is this box? If I do not continue or lose my first batch can I start fresh without purchasing again?
- From jackie at 3/2/11 5:24 PM
- so can you use these for coconut water kefir? what is the difference in the end product when using kefir grains for (coconut) water as opposed to water grains?
thanks! - Milk kefir grains work best with coconut milk, water kefir grains work best with coconut water. Milk kefir grains and water kefir grains are similar, but are actually different organisms.
- Do you find this question helpful? Yes No
- so can you use these for coconut water kefir? what is the difference in the end product when using kefir grains for (coconut) water as opposed to water grains?
- From Jill G at 4/20/11 6:24 AM
- 3 questions:
1) Does the facility where the grains are processed also process grains or wheat? Is it a gluten-free facility?
2) I see your grains are vegan & not animal based. I have a ton of food sensitivities ranging from mild to severe & am wondering if you could please state what vegan foods are used to create your grains?
3) Are these grains made from organic foods only? Are there any chemicals used in their processing (I also have chemical sensitivities which is why I ask)?
Thank you for your help. I haved loved your water kefir in the past & would like to reintroduce into my diet again but need to make sure I am doing so safely considering my many food sensitivities / allergies.
Jill G - We are required by law to state that our products are processed in a facility that may also process foods containing allergens such as wheat, dairy, shellfish, etc. However, our equipment is dedicated, and we are very meticulous about cleanliness.
The amount of exposure to allergens would be similar to if you ate in a restaurant where those foods were also served, or if you shopped in a supermarket where those foods were also sold.
Water kefir is made with very few ingredients and no additives. We use non-chlorinated water and organic sugar to grow the water kefir grains. The grains themselves are a simple polysaccharide with a symbiotic matrix of yeast and bacteria. - Do you find this question helpful? Yes No
- 3 questions:
- From Marthe at 4/23/11 9:29 PM
- Can I use water kefir with unsweetened coconut milk?
- For coconut milk, you are better off using milk kefir grains. (Milk kefir grains will need to be refreshed occasionally with dairy milk.) If you want to avoid milk entirely, try water kefir grains with coconut water.
- Do you find this question helpful? Yes No
- From Amy at 4/26/11 12:39 PM
- When I need to take a break from my water kefir whats the best way to store them. If it's letting them dry out is it best to rest on the counter or in a dehydrator?
Thanks! - Hello Amy,
If you would like to take a break from your water kefir, you may store them in sugar water in the refrigerator for up to several weeks. If you would like a longer storage time, you may dehydrate them at room temperature on a clean wax paper sheet. They can rest on the counter or in the dehydrator (turned off or at a very LOW temperature). The dehydrator may be a safer spot as it protects the grains from children, animals, dust etc.
Hope this helps,
Erin
Customer Support
Cultures for Health LLC
13023 NE Highway 99 Suite 7-4
Vancouver WA 98686
1-800-962-1959
customersupport@culturesforhealth.com
www.culturesforhealth.com
Information provided in this communication is not designed to and does not provide medical advice, professional diagnosis, opinion, treatment or services to you or to any other individual. This is general information for educational purposes only. The information provided in this site, or through linkages to other sites, is not a substitute for medical or professional care, and you should not use the information in place of a visit, call consultation or the advice of your physician or other healthcare provider. Cultures for Health, LLC is not liable or responsible for any advice, course of treatment, diagnosis or any other information, services or product you obtain through Cultures for Health, LLC.
- Do you find this question helpful? Yes No
- When I need to take a break from my water kefir whats the best way to store them. If it's letting them dry out is it best to rest on the counter or in a dehydrator?
- From kate at 5/5/11 11:58 AM
- Is it possible to culture only a very small amount at a time, such as one pint?
- Yes, you can culture a smaller amount. However, make sure you keep the proportions of grains and sugar balanced. Two to four tablespoons will culture a quart of sugar water (1/4 cup sugar). So, one to two tablespoons will culture a pint.
If you don't have enough sugar, the grains will run out of fuel and can actually stop converting sugar, resulting in a more sugary final product. If you have too many grains, you can get a yeasty, smelly buildup in the solution. (It can look like foamy yeast, or like a white waxy film.) - Do you find this question helpful? Yes No
- From Karen at 5/8/11 1:11 PM
- Will the final beverage product contain the full amount of sugar or is some of it eaten/used up in the fermentation process?
- The sucrose is converted to glucose+fructose. The glucose is used by the kefir grains for grain-building and reproduction, and the fructose remains in the drink at about 20% of the original level. The longer the finished kefir sits, the less sweet it will be, so some fructose is apparently converted in that process as well.
- Do you find this question helpful? Yes No
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Back to the product pageCustomer Reviews
- Excellent! Review by ZenMomma
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I have been very pleased with my Water Kefir Grains. They rehydrated well and activated rather quickly for me. I've been using turbinado sugar with about a teaspoon of blackstrap molasses to feed them in 2 quarts of hard well water. I leave the grains to ferment for 48 hours on my kitchen counter. It's been just over two weeks since I had the first batch of water kefir ready, and my grains are bubbling and I think may have even multiplied a bit. :) I prefer the water kefir after the first fermentation. I've tried using fruit juice or dried fruit for a second ferment, and I just don't care for it as much. My family thinks the water kefir after the first ferment tastes a bit like weak slightly sweetened tea. (Posted on May 11, 2013)Price Value Quality
- all good Review by sal
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Received the order of dehydrated grains very quickly, grains were in good condition, re-hydrated according to instructions provided and the grains are thriving!Value Quality Price
(Posted on January 10, 2013)
- I'll be back Review by Jan
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The Cultures for Health website is my first experience with purchasing and growing my own cultures. As a newbie, I did have questions and clicked on your 'live chat' button, never expecting anyone to actually be there. I had a great conversation, learned a little more, and felt blessed to have found some old fashioned customer service!Price Value Quality
So far, I'm enjoying my water kefir with different flavors and have experimented with various sugars. I certainly have no reason to go anywhere else when I decide to learn more and move on to other products.
(Posted on January 10, 2013)
- Fabulous Review by Debs
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IncredibLe product- so easy to make, tastes delicious and loving experimenting with flavors- thank u!!! (Posted on December 5, 2012)Quality Price Value
- Wow! My new pet! Review by Henny
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I am very new to water kefir, but I watched the video here and have been reading 'Nourishing Traditions' so I dived right in and got some. (If you are hesitant, just do it - you won't regret it!)Price Value Quality
I am totally hooked! I've been making a few fun recipes and trying out my own little twists. My grains are multiplying very happily . So far I have made "ginger beer", "creaming soda" and "lemonade" - love them all. I never did like the fake sodas in the stores. They always tasted overly sweet and chemically to me, so knowing these are wholesome and delicious makes me love it even more.
I love tending to my grains. They are really easy, but it is somehow very satisfying to care for them, a bit like gardening. I'm still trying to find a water kefir recipe my kids like, so may play around with juices next. My kids love fruity milk kefirs, but we have a lot of milk sensitivities so I want to wean them over to the water kefir a bit more. I'm sure there is a recipe out there that will work for us.
Thank you Cultures for Health! (Posted on November 20, 2012)
- Amazing! Review by Lisa
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It is often very difficult for people to get enough probiotics into their diet. This is a wonderful way to help with that! I love to flavor my water kefir with fresh squeezed lemon and it tastes like lemonade. My kids LOVE it as well! They ask for it every single day! These grains have lasted me about a year so far and are as good as ever! This culture is easy to maintain and I save TONS of money by making this at home rather than purchasing it at a store! I love it! I own many different products that I have purchased from Cultures for Health and I love them all. They offer high quality products and have excellent customer service. I recommend this website and their products to people every chance I get! (Posted on September 10, 2012)Value Quality Price
- Awesome! Review by Kiki
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When I realized how much money I was spending buying Kevita kefir water at store, upwards of $125 a month I decided to try my own. I am more than pleased. I don't care for plain kefir water, so after two days of setting I then mix 1:4 ratio of fruit juice and let it set in recycled Kevita bottles another 3-4 days. Incredible "soda". I have been able to get my husband off of Coke Zero and onto this and that is a miracle. I've only just started and I do so hope my grains multiply. Would be interested in anyone who has tried coconut. I am wondering how to make coconut water kefir if green coconuts aren't available. (Posted on July 7, 2012)Value Quality Price
- I'm Lovin' it! Review by Northern_Gal
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This is my first try at both consuming kefir and making it myself. It has turned out very well so far and I really enjoy drinking the kefir on its on as opposed to flavoring with lemon or vanilla. I recently tried mixing in a quarter cup of fruit juice with my finished kefir and it's excellent. I can't generate enough kefir to keep up with how much I want to drink :) Hopefully the grains become more numerous soon and I can get double batches going. Excellent product for the person trying to incorporate probiotics into their daily intake regime. (Posted on January 30, 2012)Quality Price Value
- ksfarns@hotmail.com Review by Kathryn
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I have the pickiest eaters in history and they literally fight (I mean we actually had to pull them apart) over the kefir. We use a little organic apple juice concentrate to make a fizzy juice and it is delicious! (Posted on December 14, 2011)Price Value Quality
- easy and awesome Review by firechicksf
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Healthy plump little guys and girls once Rehydrated.Produced excellent results. 5 batches later and they have at least tripled in quantity. Easily processing a gallonevery 48 hours! I love my babies! (Posted on June 22, 2011)Value Quality Price
- Absolutely wonderful!! Review by Jessica
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I really love this product... what can I say, it tastes great, it's super easy to make, the grains rehydrated perfectly,my kids love it and it makes us healthier : ) (Posted on June 5, 2011)Value Quality Price
- Great and they keep giving Review by Tullebelle
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I have had Kefir water grains for 5 years and have never had to buy a new start. Great probiotic! (Posted on May 31, 2011)Price Value Quality
- Good, but too sweet for me Review by Very Sweet
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This is a good product, but since I'm not used to drinking anything but water, the end result was still too sweet. I think that if someone is used to drinking juice or wants an alternative to soda, this may be a great thing. As for me, I gave the crystals to a friend. (Posted on March 16, 2011)Value Quality Price
- The Grain that Keeps on Giving! Review by Granola Mom 4 God
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I have had my Water Kefir Grains from Cultures for Health for over a year now. I followed the directions and have even begun to experiment quite a bit with flavors and carbonating. These grains are productive, forgiving, and produce a beverage that has become a favorite by all members of our family -- ages 2, 4, 6, 32, and 34! Great stuff! (Posted on February 11, 2011)Quality Price Value
- Everything I hoped for Review by Holly
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Wow-I had no idea that waterkefirwas so easy to make. Thesegrains re-hydrated so quickly and are making consistent batches of great-tasting kefir. Wish I'd ordered sooner-this is a great replacement for carbonated drinks-my children are enjoying the kefir mixed with a little grape juice. (Posted on February 2, 2011)Quality Price Value
Attention!
Starter cultures, rennet for cheese making and cultured vegetables, juices and condiments are sensitive to excessive heat. Once your order has shipped, an e-mail with tracking information will be sent to you. We encourage you to use the tracking information to anticipate the arrival of your items so they can be removed from the mail box and stored in the refrigerator promptly.