The Beginners Guide To Making Kefir

What if I told you about this amazing drink...

It contains TONS of microorganisms. With beneficial yeast and bacteria...That blend in a way, to make kefir a natural antibiotic!

And best of all...

It only takes a few minutes of your time!

Kefir Grains

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You make this drink using milk... with these things called kefir grains... But they aren’t actually grains. :)

They are gelatinous in texture, and white or off-white in color. The ‘grains’ are made of bacteria and yeast. These are attached with casein--or milk proteins--and form the grains. 

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This amazing drink is Kefir! 

But wait... Do you just drink it plain, or is there some special--delicious--way to have it?

First let’s make up a batch together! Just follow along...It’s supper easy.

Making Kefir

Grab some milk out of the fridge. Preferably raw and sourced from someone you trust. (You know, like that goat--or cow--that you just milked this morning... And is a few yards from the back door. :) )

Pour your milk into a glass jar. It can be any size...quart, gallon, etc. 

Then add in your kefir grains.

Leave a 1-3 inches of space from the top of the jar. You don’t want the milk to overflow while it’s fermenting. --Trust me, it is not fun. Kefir in a puddle on the kitchen counter is kinda messy. :)--

Now you need to cover it. For the last few years, I have always used a lid. But then I found out that you are supposed to use breathable fabric. Like a cloth laid on top. I am using a shear curtain that I cut up, with a rubber band around it.

Let it sit on your counter in a warm spot. Keep it out of the sunlight...

And in twelve hours, to two days, it should be done. The time will depend on the temperature, in your house...And how strong you like your kefir. I let mine go for 24 hours in the summer time.

Your kefir is done! But before you drink it, you will want to get the kefir grains out. 

Grab a strainer. Place the strainer over a bowl or pot to catch the kefir. 

Pour the kefir through the strainer. The grains will stay in the strainer, and the kefir will go into to pot. Get a spoon and stir the kefir/grains in the strainer... Making it go faster.

Using Kefir Grains

Use the kefir grains to start another batch. Not ready to start another batch? Here are some ways you can store them...

• Short term...Stick them in a glass jar in the fridge. Only leave for a day or two like that.
• Long term...Put them in a jar with fresh milk--like you were making kefir--and leave them in the fridge for a few months. 
• Long term...You can freeze them to use later.

Your grains may grow like crazy. In that case, you can eat them too!

They are a little rubbery in texture...so eating them by the spoon is probably not the most appealing to some.

If you don’t want anything to do with eating them, feed them to the chickens! They will love you for it. 

And don’t forget...If anyone you know wants to start up with some kefir, you can offer them some.

Using Kefir

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Now for the part we all want...Kefir!

You can just drink it straight. Quart jar at a time. I love it that way! It is tart, and so refreshing. :)

But now...not everyone likes it that way. Around here I would say only about 50% of my family likes it...And probably about 50% of the time. :)

You aren’t fond of the taste? That’s ok. There are so many things you can make with it. Try a berry smoothie for breakfast. Some kefir ice cream for a dessert...Vanilla or chocolate mint? Yum!

How ever you end up liking it...

Enjoy some kefir every day!

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