Skip the Store-Bought Kefir – Make Your Own Fun Flavors!
If you take a look at what's on the shelves at your local health food store or co-op, you'll notice that there's an entire section dedicated to kefir in the refrigerated section. It's sort of funny to think about how kefir was traditionally made - in animal skin bags traveling through the mountains. I like to wonder what the original kefir-drinking nomads would think about the kefir many Americans buy at the store - flavored with exotic fruits, spices, and all the different sweeteners such as honey, agave nectar, and maple syrup - in a convenient, brightly colored bottle.
Instead of picking up a bottle myself, I like to look at the pretty bottles for flavor inspirations. Here are a few I've been making in my kitchen recently! Don't get too caught up in the measurements - simply throw the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. You can either add, substitute, or skip ingredients if you'd like. And then voila! You have a delicious kefir beverage just as good or better than what you'd find at the store. As a bonus, you'll pay much less when you do it yourself!
1 Serving Each
Golden Milk Smoothie
1 cup kefir
1/2 banana
1/2 tsp. ground turmeric (or a chunk of fresh the size of your pinky nail)
1" fresh ginger, peeled
2 dashes cinnamon
1 dash black pepper
1 dash nutmeg
1/4 cup orange juice
Matcha-Vanilla Smoothie
1 cup kefir
1-2 tsp. matcha powder
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 Tbs. honey, agave nectar, or maple syrup
Mango Lassi Smoothie
1 cup kefir
1/2 ripe mango
1 tsp. ground cardamom
Chopped pistachios (as a topping)
Green Dragon CBD Smoothie
1 cup kefir
1/3 frozen banana
1/3 cup pineapple
1/2 avocado
1 dropper full CBD oil (optional)
1 tsp. spirulina (optional - for color)
1 tsp. ground ginger (or small piece fresh)
1 Tbs. lime juice
1 Tbs. honey
Pineapple Licuado Smoothie
1 cup kefir
1/2 cup pineapple chunks
1 Tbs. lime juice
4-5 ice cubes
1 Tbs. honey
About the Author: Cultures for Health Team
At Cultures for Health we believe that anyone--on any diet and at any skill level--can make and enjoy the benefits of traditional fermented foods. We hope these stories from our cultured kitchens will inspire you to nourish your family and live healthily. Happy Culturing!
More from the Cultures for Health Blog
Choosing Equipment for Baking Sourdough
Developing Your Sourdough “Sixth Sense”
Skip the Store-Bought Kefir – Make Your Own Fun Flavors!
Kids’ Kombucha Experiment
Blog Post: A Cultured Food Book for Every Fermenter
Blog Post: 100% Rye Sourdough Baking
Blog Post: Cheesy, Sprouted Sourdough Rolls: Monkey Bread Style