Fermented foods seem to be the rage right now. Because I love cooking and playing in the kitchen, I had to jump on the fermenting bandwagon. As part of my fermenting experiment, I began reading about kefir. I had no idea what it was and kept reading more and more about it so decided I had to try it.
As I was researching kefir, I found many claims for health benefits and while I’m not real sure what’s true and what’s hype, I am convinced that it is healthy enough that it’s worth making and worth drinking. Please do your own research and see if it’s something you might want to try. This site has a lot of good info and might be a good starting place if you’re interested in reading more.
First, I bought a few “kefir smoothies” . . the already made kind in the dairy section of the grocery store. We had never tasted kefir and I wanted to be sure it was something we liked. They were delicious. Kefir is a fermented milk and a “starter” called kefir grains is used to start the process. The next step was to find kefir grains.
Kefir Grains
They aren’t really grains but more like a cottage cheese looking substance. To make the kefir, I poured about 1-1/2 cups of whole milk over them, placed a coffee filter over the jar and let it sit at room temp for about 24 hours. During the 24 hours, I gently stirred the milk a few times.
Kefir Fermenting
The next step, after the fermentation period, was to strain out the kefir grains and the milk was fermented and ready to be used. I’ve read that it’s best to use utensils that are not metal. Therefore, I make and store the kefir in glass jars, use a plastic spatula for stirring and a plastic strainer for draining.
Straining Grains
The grains grow with each batch and soon I’ll have enough grains to make a second batch of kefir. As soon as the grains are strained out, they can go into another batch.
Kefir Grains
My grains were ordered from Yemoos Nurturing Cultures and you can read more about making kefir on their website. I find it all very interesting!
Morning Smoothie
This morning I added a little honey to the kefir, a banana and a grape, and a little freshly rolled oats, and we had it like a smoothie. We’re feeling so healthy! 🙂
Dottie N. says
Looks yummy!
Melody says
So interesting. I have been drinking the store bought kefir for a while. I like it and it seems to help keep things moving along. It never occurred to me to make my own. Love your blog!
JudyL says
I sent you an email but it’s super easy to make. For the storebought ones, I pay $2.98 each for them at Wal-Mart and they’re about $3.80 at Kroger. I pay about $3 for a gallon of milk and can get 4 – 32 oz. smoothies from that gallon. I do add a banana and a handful of grapes or blueberries or strawberries to each one but the cost is way less making it yourself and I think the homemade tastes better.
Melody says
Thanks for the email. So much good info. I know the store bought kefir is expensive and I have trouble finding it. Our Wal Mart only carries plain and 2 flavors as does our closest other grocery store. Both of them are often sold out.
Sherrill says
Oh UGH!!!!!! My DH worked with a guy who’s wife was TOTALLY into the healthy eating thing. I don’t think there was much she ate that was store bought. Anyway, she was talking to Frank about the kefir and he was interested so she gave him some starter grains (this was all before he got sick and passed away). Sounded totally gross to me but whatever..it was his deal! 🙂 He kinda liked it (this was a guy who would eat anything) and drank it for the health benefits. I tried it once and about threw up. Never again. He tried the store bought stuff but liked his homemade a tad better. Yuck!
JudyL says
That’s weird because it’s so good. I think it tastes a whole lot like a milkshake. There’s nothing sour or fermented about the way it tastes. I like it a lot better than I like yogurt and I love yogurt!
I’m thinking Addie would love this and will take some grains to them and try it when we go there next time.
Marsha B says
My grand daughter has a form of autism and my daughter has been making kefir, they love it. My daughter has also started cooking everything from scratch and fermenting foods. She says my grand daughter has improved in some ways, she is more vocal, which can be good and bad. My GD helps in food preparation and loves being involved. We are not expecting miracles, but GD is doing better with the change in diet. It pays to do some research and make choices that work for you.
liz n says
What a great web site (Yemoos)! Love kefir and have been looking for a culture source……also tried Kombucha, at my daughter’s insistence, loved it…..and I learned that what I thought was yogurt, in Finland, was viili….and I can make it here!
Now, when I finish with dehydrating the last dregs of the garden and plant garlic, I’ll try my hand at culturing! Thank you Judy………..
Bev Gunn says
I was introduced to Kefir by my girls adopted from Russia. They give it to the babies in their bottles instead of formula which is hard to get. The girls love the smoothies and I may have to do some shopping and surprise them for Christmas. Bet son would even recognize the taste and remember it from Russia!