Discover the easiest way to make Water Kefir
So you know how to make ordinary kefir from milk or milk kefir. You’ve probably made a ton of other recipes with it as well. You love it, your family loves it and so do your friends. But sometimes, no matter how healthy it is for them, there are or will be people who won’t like milk kefir.
So now what? Does this mean they won’t be able to enjoy kefir?
Well, sit back, relax, and listen closely as you’ll find out a little known secret about kefir.
You can make kefir from both milk and water! Yes, you heard that right. Using the kefir grains you use for milk kefir, you can also make water kefir.
However, for your first initial batches of water kefir your milk kefir grains will enter a “lag phase” leading to a longer fermentation time. Usually about 4-5 days initially but gradually shortening to 1-2 days. This lag phase happens due to the fact the kefir grains must adapt to a new medium, instead of milk it now has to use water.
However, making water kefir isn’t as simple as making kefir from milk. But it isn’t rocket science either.
Here is a step-by-step recipe for making it and you’ll quickly learn there’s really nothing to it.
- 1-2 tablespoons of milk kefir grains
- 1/2 cup cane sugar (can also be refined white sugar, raw sugar, brown sugar, sugar cane juice or even muscavado)
- 1-2 dried figs. (can also be raisins, sultanas, dried prunes or any other fruit)
- half a lemon
- 1-1.5 liter mineral water
- 2 liter glass container
- cloth or lid for container
- plastic sieve
- plastic spoon
- Dissolve sugar in mineral water.
In the container, pour in mineral water and add the sugar. Dissolve sugar using plastic spoon. - Add kefir grains, dried figs and lemon.
- Cover the container with a cloth or lid. Make sure it is not air-tight.
- Place away from sunlight and leave at room temperature of 18oC – 25oC (65oF – 77oF).
- Let ferment for 24, 48 or 72 hours.
If you’re using milk kefir grains for the first time in water, allow to ferment longer. The longer you allow it to ferment the stronger the taste and more carbonated it becomes. It will also have a slight alcohol content. - Squeeze the lemon.
Once fermentation is finished, squeeze the juice from the lemon. - Strain and separate kefir grains and everything else.
Using the metal sieve separate the kefir grains from the figs or fruits. Store the kefir grains for the next batch. - Drink your water kefir.
After separating the kefir grains, all that is left is your water kefir. You can enjoy it straight away or chill it. You can also use it for some other kefir recipes
Sponsors That Keep Kefir Grains Source Going:
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi, you said “Using the kefir grains you use for milk kefir, you can also make water kefir”. It´s possible the inverse?
using water kefir to make milk kefir?
Dave, I personally haven’t tried it yet, but from what I’ve heard it might be a little harder to do the reverse.
But it does sound like a good experiment to try out. If you have some extra water kefir grains, why not set aside a little and have a shot at it.
Then let us know what happens. : )
No I have a book which says that you can not make milk kefir from water kefir. It may help to get sour milk, but it will not grow and it will not be the same.
My kids hated the taste of sour milk >> So, I tried mixing the Milk kefir with there favourite fruit yogurt and a little honey>> Then I poured it into lolly stick containers and put it in the freezer >> Perfect lolly stick ice_cream
but no idea if the benefits are still in there or not ???? Does anyone know??
my vidéo, to make the Kéfir!
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xal6rz_kefir-user-guide-how-to-make-the-fr_lifestyle
How long can you keep the Kefir Water or Juice Kefir bottled in a cool place once it is been fermented? I had never made Kefir until January of 2010. We have been making water Kefir & many kinds of Juice Kefir but we have come to love the lemon or lime Kefir the most. We make it with 2 qts of water, 1/2 sugar, 3-4 tablespoons for water Kefir grains and 1 cup of strained fresh squeezed juice. We ferment it 24 hrs and bottle it. Our last batch we put in a large beverage canter with a pour spout. It is so refreshing. It has cured my family of their desire for soda. Yea!
hi,
I’d like to ask a question ..
if the yougert didn’t happen , can I use the same kefir grains after
washing them ??