Kefir

  • SCOBYs, SCOBYs Everywhere!

    Posted on February 7, 2012 by Julie

    Using an oven to keep culturing foods warm during the cold winter months.

    This post was posted in Kefir, Sourdough, Yogurt, Buttermilk, Kombucha

  • Culture Cover Problem Solver

    Posted on January 18, 2012 by Bonni

    Never seem to have enough rubber bands to secure the covering on you yogurt, kefir, kombucha, or sourdough? Here's an easy solution: Use a metal canning jar ring.

    This post was posted in Kefir, Sourdough, Yogurt, Buttermilk, Kombucha

  • Benefits of Making your own Yogurt, Kefir, Buttermilk & More

    Posted on July 1, 2011 by Julie

    Learn to make your own Kefir, Yogurt, Buttermilk and more using quality ingredients while leaving out the additives and stabilizers

    This post was posted in Kefir, Yogurt, Buttermilk

  • How to Make Whey for Soaking and Fermenting

    Posted on June 28, 2011 by Julie

    Learn to make whey for fermenting vegetables, soaking grains and more!

    This post was posted in Kefir, Yogurt, Buttermilk

  • How Much Sugar Does Water Kefir Contain?

    Posted on June 27, 2011 by Julie

    Find out how much sugar Water Kefir actually contains

    This post was posted in Kefir

  • Making Kefir with Fruit Juice

    Posted on June 1, 2011 by Julie

    A fun variation to water kefir (generally made with sugar water) is to use fruit juice.  Fruit juice kefir is a delicious containing the probiotic benefits of kefir.

    Fruit juice kefir can be made with either water kefir grains, milk kefir grains or a powdered kefir starter culture.  We recommend using water kefir grains for two reasons.  Water kefir grains are accustomed to being used with sugar water which is more similar to juice than is milk.  Milk kefir grains can be converted to be used with fruit juice but be aware that once they are converted, you will not be able to return them to a milk-based medium.  Water kefir grains however can go back and forth between sugar water and juice given some time and adjustment (see below).  Kefir grains are also reusable to make batch after batch where as the powdered kefir starter culture has a more limited lifespan.

    To make fruit juice kefir, add water kefir grains to the fruit juice (either 100% juice or a diluted juice).  We do recommend using organic juice whenever possible to avoid the chemicals present in commercial juice which could damage the kefir grains.  Allow the fruit juice kefir to ferment for 24-72 hours.  Keep in mind that the longer the juice ferments, the higher the alcohol content.  We do recommend that if you are making fruit juice kefir for children, fermentation should be limited to a 24-48 hour period.  If you are looking for a more “adult” beverage, a longer fermentation period may be desirable.  Once the fermentation period is complete, remove the kefir grains and place them in fresh juice or sugar water.

    A couple of caveats: First, juice tends to be very hard on water kefir grains.  Although they can be used repeatedly in a juice medium, they should be returned to plain sugar water occasionally to revitalize them.  Keep in mind that kefir grains that have cultured in fruit juice and are then returned to sugar water make a very unpleasant tasting sugar water kefir for a period of time, so don’t plan on alternating batches of fruit juice and sugar water while still having delicious sugar water kefir to drink.  Also, it is highly unlikely that water kefir grains used with fruit juice will multiply and the fruit juice kefir grains will likely have a significant shorter lifespan than kefir grains cultured in sugar water.

    We recommend whenever possible to keep two separate sets of water kefir grains: one for sugar water and one for juice (each set can be stored in sugar water in the fridge when not in use).  You can accomplish this by purchasing two sets of kefir grains or by waiting until your set of kefir grains multiplies to the point you can use 3 T. of kefir grains for sugar water and 3 T. of kefir grains for fruit juice.  This allows you to make both fruit juice kefir and sugar water kefir without interruption.

    This post was posted in Kefir

  • Minerals for Water Kefir Grains

    Posted on May 9, 2011 by Julie

    Learn how to keep your Water Kefir Grains healthy by providing sufficient levels of minerals through choosing the best sugar and water sources.

    This post was posted in Kefir

  • Kefir Grains vs. Kefir Starter Culture

    Posted on January 5, 2011 by Julie

    Learn the differences between Kefir Grains and Powdered Kefir Starter for making probiotic-rich Kefir at home.

    This post was posted in Kefir and was tagged with kefir, grains, starter culture, compare

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