Milk Kefir versus Water Kefir

Did you know there are actually two types of kefir? Milk Kefir is more commonly known as many grocery stores now carry kefir in the dairy department. Water Kefir is similar to Milk Kefir in that it is a probiotic-rich beverage but Water Kefir is dairy free making it a great choice for people with dairy sensitivities. Water Kefir is also a lighter beverage and can be flavored any number of ways making it easier to drink large quantities. Here are the primary differences between Milk Kefir and Water Kefir:

How it is Made

Milk Kefir. Milk Kefir is made with cow milk, goat milk or coconut milk.

Water Kefir. Water Kefir is dairy-free and is made with sugar water, juice or coconut water.

What it Contains

Milk Kefir. Milk Kefir is a probiotic-rich beverage with live active yeast and bacteria; Milk Kefir Grains (traditional starter culture) are propagated in organic milk.

Water Kefir. Water Kefir is dairy-free and is made with sugar water, juice or coconut water; Water Kefir Grains are grown in organic sugar and filtered water.

How it is Used

Milk Kefir. Milk kefir can be consumed plain, flavored or as the base for salad dressings, smoothies and more. You can generally substitute kefir for buttermilk or yogurt in recipes. Milk Kefir can also be strained of some of the whey to make a type of cheese ranging from a soft cheese consistency, to a cream cheese texture to even a hard cheese texture.

Water Kefir. Water Kefir can flavored and consumed as a replacement to soda pop and juice. It also makes a great base for dairy-free smoothies.

How it Tastes

Milk Kefir. Milk Kefir tastes like a strongly flavored cultured milk but the taste of any particular batch is based on the level of fermentation which is dependent on a number of factors including the ratio of kefir grains to milk, the ambient temperature and the length of time the kefir is allowed to culture. Well fermented kefir generally has a strong sour or tart taste and can even have a bit of a carbonated texture (it is known in some circles as the "champagne of milk".

Water Kefir. Water Kefir tends to have a sweet, slightly fermented taste to it.  We generally recommend flavoring water kefir as it isn't very impressive tasting plain. Flavoring is easy--fresh or dried fruit, juice or flavor extracts such as vanilla extract can all be used.

How it is Flavored

Milk Kefir. Milk Kefir can be flavored by blending in fresh or frozen fruit, flavor extracts such as vanilla, sweeteners such as honey, maple syrup, stevia and more.  There are a number of flavoring options.

Water Kefir. Water Kefir can be flavored using fresh or dried fruit, flavor extracts such as vanilla extract, fruit juice or even herbs.

Other Uses

Milk Kefir. Milk Kefir can be used in place of yogurt in recipes including as a base for cream-based salad dressings. It can also be drained of some of its whey to make a soft cheese. Milk kefir grains or starter cultures can be used to inoculate cream to make butter or a sour cream-type condiment.  Coconut Milk Kefir can be made by allowing the kefir grains to culture in coconut milk.

Water Kefir. Water Kefir can be bottled up and used in place of soda pop.  It also can be used as a base for dairy free smoothies.

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