Kefir for Newbies: Make Probiotic Drinks at Home With Organic Milk Kefir Grains
Have you heard about Milk Kefir and been wondering what it’s all about?
Milk kefir is a cultured dairy product, rich in probiotics. It is similar to a thin yogurt, with an extra tang to the taste. It’s delicious and beneficial fermented food. There’s also non-dairy based water kefir which has similar benefits, but today we’re just talking about milk kefir.
Kefir also has extra benefits. Since it is laden with probiotics (good bacteria), kefir may help with digestive issues. And because kefir adds good bacteria to our bodies, it boosts the immune system with potent antibacterial properties. The drink is nutrient dense — it’s full of calcium and phosphorus, plus vitamins B and K. Magnesium and riboflavin are also present. Of note, kefir is also low in lactose, the naturally occurring sugar found in milk.
This traditional drink comes from the Caucasus Mountains between Russia and Turkey in Western Asia. The word kefir comes from the word “keif” which is Turkish for “good feeling.”
Kefir has a distinctive taste. It’s tangy, slightly sour, creamy, and at the same time refreshing. Those who enjoy the taste of yogurt will likely love kefir’s unique texture and flavor.
How to Make Milk Kefir At Home
Milk Kefir is made using living starter “grains,” which is a combination of good bacteria, yeast strains and proteins that interact with dairy.
Fermentation is achieved by pouring milk over live kefir grains and leaving it to sit unrefrigerated for several hours. Then, you can continually strain and make new batches of kefir from the grains.
Our milk kefir grains are organic, and we derive them from as many different bacteria strains as possible, to give you a balanced variety of probiotics. Fusion Teas sells what you need to brew your own kefir and kombucha, with brewing instructions included.
How much kefir should you drink each day? It is said you can enjoy the positive health benefits of kefir in about one cup a day. Start with half a cup at a time and see how it makes you feel.
Interested in another fermented drink, Kombucha? Check out our blog post Health Benefits of Kombucha. You may also enjoy learning more about Teas for Digestion.
Jim
What should I do if my cat has licked my kefir grains? Do I need to get new grains and start over? Or can the grains handle cat saliva?
Thomas Egbert
Hi Jim,
It’s hard to say. My first thought is they should be fine because they are very hard to kill but I did a quick google search and read that cat saliva can be antibiotic. As long as the grains are fermenting and changing the milk visually you should be OK.
Deb
What is the nutritional information for 8 ounces of milk kefir made with whole pasteurized milk?
Thomas Egbert
HI Deb,
Thank you for the question. The kefir will have much of the same nutritional values as milk with a few exceptions. The sugar content is less, which in turn lowers the carb count. Depending on the length of fermentation the carbs can be reduced up to 70%
bernyandgreg
How do you know if your milk kefir is balanced with bacteria and yeast?
Thomas Egbert
Kefir should have a clean sourness that is tart with a hint of yeast. That is a perfectly balanced kefir. A lot of variables come into play when fermenting your milk like time, temperature, ratio of grains to milk, time of season, ect.