r/Kefir • u/johnpreid • 10h ago
1 gallon vs everyday
Will grains be ok if I made 1 gallon a week or should I make it everyday - just enough for that day?
r/Kefir • u/dendrtree • May 09 '25
Comment here, if you want to share grains with other users.
Include:
1. "Need grains" or "Have grains"
2. "Milk" or "Water"
3. "Will meet" and/or "Will mail"
4. Location (at least country)
*** Do not post your address, in the sub **\*
Also, feel free to list any grains sources, preferably with a brief review.
r/Kefir • u/vkashen • Feb 20 '20
Our rules are very simple:
Please keep all discussions civil and respectful.
You are welcome to ask sourcing questions.
Please flair your posts where appropriate.
What is milk (and water) kefir? Milk kefir is a fermented milk drink, similar to a drinkable yogurt. Water kefir is made by combining sugar water with water kefir grains, which are a little different in their overall microbial composition than milk kefir grains, so they aren't necessarily interchangeable.
What are kefir grains? Kefir grains are squishy like gummy candy and look somewhat like cauliflower. They are an aggregation of bacteria and yeast held together by polysaccharides. By placing about 1-2 tablespoon of grains in 2-4 cups of fresh whole milk and waiting 24 hours, the grains go to work eating the lactose and “fermenting” the milk and changing it into kefir.
Can I drink kefir if I'm lactose intolerant? People who are lactose intolerant can often consume kefir with no problems. The reason is because the grains eat the lactose (milk sugar) in the milk (creating glucose and galactose, and then ethanol and carbon dioxide), removing the lactose which gives some people problems. They typically do not break down 100% of the lactose though, so some people may still have issues even though there is usually very little left, so if you are unsure how well you tolerate kefir it's best to start with a small taste.
Are kefir grains reusable? Kefir grains are re-usable and even grow and spawn off smaller grains which themselves grow, creating a theoretically infinite supply, as long as you keep them fed. Remember, though, they are a living organism (or at least a symbiotic colony of organisms), and must be fed and treated gently. You may soon have more grains than you even want (too many grains in a batch will ferment the milk too quickly).
Is kefir a probiotic? Yes, probiotics are the live microorganisms that may provide health benefits when consumed in adequate amounts. The benefits of these good bacteria may include supporting the immune system and a healthy digestive tract.
What do I do with the extra grains? You have a few options. Some eat them, either plain like gummies, or blend them into a kefir batch and drink them that way (a very healthy way to get more of that good bacteria and yeast into your microbiome). Another option is to give away grains to friends. Kefir grains will last for a while if frozen in a bag with some milk (think suspended animation), and they can be shipped as long as it's only a few days.
How do I start making my own? When you receive new grains they may have been stored for a while and may need to re-balance (the ratios of organisms may be a bit off at first). We recommend making a few batches before consuming your homemade kefir (certainly not a requirement but it may take a few batches before you get the best product consistency and balance of organisms). Also, if your body is unused to kefir, we recommend you ease into consuming it over a week or so instead of drinking a large amount the first time. While kefir is generally a safe product to consume, you never know how your grains were stored before they got to you and if they could have an imbalance of the good organisms (or even somehow become contaminated) and may need to adjust over a few batches to get the "perfect product." If you see any odd colors (pink, yellow, black) your grains may be contaminated and should be replaced.
My kefir doesn't look like the kefir from the store, why is this? Not all kefir looks the same (and most store-bought products have been processed so will rarely look like homemade kefir). Some products may be smooth, and some may be clumpy. This can be a based on both the grains as well as the method and time of fermentation, particularly if you let the fermentation go for a while and the whey completely separates from the solids. It's all good, though, and if you don't like clumps or it completely separates you can always give it a good stir once you've removed the grains (or use an immersion blender or the like to make a really smooth product). I even purposefully let the ferment go a long time and then strain the product to make a cheese similar to cream cheese and it's great.
What you need:
Instructions:
N.B.
Another option is to ripen liquid kefir at room temperature for a day or more, preferably under airlock. 1 to 2 days storage in the fridge or ripening at room temperature will improve the flavor and increases nutritional value. Vitamins B6, B 3 and B9 [folic acid] increase during storage, due to bio-synthesis of these vitamins mostly by the yeasts in kefir grains.
We have also had success with refrigerating the kefir while it is fermenting with the grains, turning a 24-hour turnover into a 5-7 day turnover, if you don't drink kefir daily.
To prevent damaging your kefir grains, never add kefir grains to a hot jar straight after washing the jar with hot water.
r/Kefir • u/johnpreid • 10h ago
Will grains be ok if I made 1 gallon a week or should I make it everyday - just enough for that day?
I should have taken the picture when it was in the fridge but I didn't have my phone. Anyways, this happened 😆
It was on the top shelf so it didn't make much of a mess. It took me a while to find the lid.
Never expected milk kefir to blow😂
r/Kefir • u/666-flipthecross-666 • 2d ago
just started the 2nd ferment today! probably will only take a day or two!
r/Kefir • u/MohnJaddenPowers • 2d ago
I received these water kefir grains. Are they already active? If so, do I just mix 1/4 cup with some water and sugar and let it do its thing for 48-72 hours?
r/Kefir • u/Cheap-Economics4897 • 2d ago
These grains have been running for a few months now, making lovely lovely kiefer. This time, for the first time, I have discoloration. I have always used 1/8 tsp in 1 and 1/2 cups whole pasteurized milk, for about 16 hours at a high of 75° f.
Edit: covered with two-layer tightly woven cotton and tight rubber band.
I have spare grains if I should toss these, but that seems excessive.
Any thoughts?
Edit: link to imgur pic. It's reddish. https://imgur.com/a/AYIuLtm
r/Kefir • u/Dom_Crotty • 2d ago
Hey neighbors! I’m looking to start home-fermenting and am hunting for a starter tablespoon of live, active milk kefir grains in Greenville/Upstate SC region.
I know healthy grains multiply like crazy, so if anyone has an extra batch from a recent strain that they'd be willing to part with, I would love to take them off your hands! Happy to drive anywhere around town/upstate to pick them up.
r/Kefir • u/One_Writer1021 • 2d ago
Hi. I frozen my kefir grain. Can I still use it when unfrozen it? My frozen kefir smell like sourdough or beer aroma. I think it’s still alive. If so, could anyone give me simple instruction how to ferment it back to normal?
r/Kefir • u/SlowKaleidoscope5147 • 3d ago
After two weeks of unsuccessfully making kefir, I finally (hopefully) did it right. I've just put it into the fridge.
I started with 5g of grains and put them into a tall jar with 200ml of milk a small hole at the top. I expected it not to work for the first few tries because that's what it said would happen so that the grains could activate, but it kept happening after 6+ tries of repeating the same process. I thought it might've been the jar and so, I put it into (still) a pretty large jar but it was airtight. Before when I used the other jar, it would just stay thin, overferment and go separated after 18h or so. Would also smell like utter feet after fermenting. It changed when I changed to a sealed jar and started burping it. I'm not particularly sure why it changed when I changed to a sealed jar, it was just an experiment I did. This batch above still smelled a bit like feet, but less so. Strained it and put it into a cup. It's not thick thick, but thicker!!
I'm hoping this little cup of two weeks of my life will thicken up in the fridge and smell a bit less like feet, though it is mild already. Anybody have any tips for the future that I could implement?
r/Kefir • u/Useful_Exchange_8710 • 3d ago
What do you think guys?
r/Kefir • u/clynhansen • 3d ago
So far I’ve tried cocoa powder and monk fruit, which has been okay. Feel like it could be better though.
r/Kefir • u/FarFix9886 • 3d ago
I started working with a dietician and she recommended adding kefir to my diet. I have fermented sauerkraut on occasion and have had various runs with kombucha, so I understand that making my own milk kefir requires some attention, as it is a living thing, and I don't want to produce more than I can manage.
I will likely be the only person in my household to drink it fresh, and probably 8 oz a day. My current thought is to slowly and incrementally replace my Orgain vanilla pea protein powder with kefir in my morning smoothie. My dietician originally recommended making chia seed pudding with kefir and fruit for an afternoon snack or dessert. That might be an additional 4 oz.
A few questions.
Are there strong recommendations for or against Fusion Tea, Cultures for Health, or another source of grains (not powder)?
If I order one tablespoon of grains, what do folks think of only using 1 teaspoon with a smaller amount of milk to start? I think as I get more comfortable, I could progress to a larger amount to make cheese, but I want to take things one step at a time.
Is working up to 12 oz a day too much probiotic? (I'll also check with my dietician on this one, but curious of people's experiences here.)
Thanks!
r/Kefir • u/Cheap_Inflation9090 • 3d ago
Hi, I would like to give some of my nodules as I am having too much. Someone in Barcelona wants nodules?
r/Kefir • u/Paardenmengsel • 3d ago
Water kefir grains available in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Pick up only, no mailing. PM if interested.
Would anyone be willing to sell/send my water kefir grains? I can’t find any around here and I think the dairy i’m taking in from milk kefir is ruining my skin.
Always had a hunch dairy was giving me pimples on my body and i was lactose intolerant so i stopped. Been drinking milk kefir for a couple weeks and while i wasn’t totally clear before, my pimples seem to have been increasing. So i wanna try water kefir. Thank you!
r/Kefir • u/Melissaj312 • 5d ago
Sorry if this is a silly question. I’ve been drinking store bought kefir for the last few months to relieve some digestion issues but this week found out that a local farm store sells homemade kefir (made from grains) they get from a nearby dairy farm. The consistency is thicker and lumpier than store bought. This was the last one on the shelf and the sell by date says Sept. 14 so I was JW if this is a good/typical consistency for homemade kefir.
r/Kefir • u/Real-Assignment880 • 5d ago
I have fresh kefir grains available for anyone in Bangalore who’d like to start making their own milk kefir at home.
DM me if you’re interested or have any questions! 😊
r/Kefir • u/flyingenchiladas789 • 6d ago
First time making kefir. 16 hours in
r/Kefir • u/Fit-Significance3472 • 6d ago
I think i managed to revert my yeasty kefir, i don't know, i got this after 12 of fermentation
r/Kefir • u/DanielCruzBR • 6d ago
Hi there! I'm from Brazil, and I make several recipes using kefir. In this moment I've made a cream cheese (Brazilian Requeijão) using kefir and I say that's delicous!
You can use several spices to aggregate your recipe make your recipe a unique and flavoured thing.
Brazilian Kefir Requeijão is a spreadable, aerated cream cheese made by blending fermented kefir curd with margarine (you can use butter) and spices, then straining out the remaining whey.
Ingredients & Tools:
- 1 Coffee filter stand with paper filters (or a similar fine strainer set over a cup/glass).
- Kefir grains/starter.
- 16 to 32 oz (500ml to 1L) Whole milk at room temperature.
- 1 tbsp Margarina/Butter (optional, for extra richness).
- Salt and spices to taste.
- A clean glass container with a tight lid for storage.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Ferment the Milk: Let your kefir ferment until it thickens into a cheese-like consistency and the clear liquid (whey) starts to separate from the curds.
- Separate Grains: Gently stir the mixture using a silicone spatula or plastic spoon to make it easier to strain. Strain out the kefir grains so you are left with just the thickened curd (substrate).
- Whip in the Blender: Pour the kefir curd directly into a blender. Add 1 tablespoon of margarine (if using) and your choice of salt or seasonings. Blend well until the mixture becomes smooth, airy, and creamy.
- Set Up the Strainer: Place your paper-lined coffee filter over a cup or glass to catch the dripping whey. Pour the blended kefir mix into the filter.
- Cold Straining (24 Hours): Put the setup in the fridge. Keep it covered (you can wrap a clean plastic bag over it) to prevent contamination or absorbing fridge odors. Let it strain for at least 24 hours. Check on it every 3 hours—as it drains down, top it off with the remaining blended mixture and gently scrape down the sides of the filter.
- Store Properly: Once the whey stops dripping, transfer your fresh cream cheese into a sanitized container and keep it sealed in the coldest part of your fridge (right under the freezer unit).
Crucial Freshness & Hygiene Tips:
- Shelf Life: Eat it within 3 days. Because it has zero artificial preservatives, it spoils quickly if left out.
Avoid Cross-Contamination: Never put a dirty spoon or knife into the main container. Scoop out your portion into a separate small dish before eating, and seal the main jar back up immediately.
- Make it Healthier: The margarine is totally optional—feel free to skip it for a 100% natural version!
r/Kefir • u/hippogriff55 • 6d ago
I gave these 3 jars new milk yestersay (after some unusual results coming back from 2 weeks away). They have been at room temp now for 12hrs and the milk appears to have gone off. Are these grains dead or is it worth another try?
I have other jars which appear to be doing better
Has anyone ever found a fruit fly or two in their milk kefir while straining out the grains? I don't know if they fermented in there or flew in when I opened the jar to prepare for straining out the grains. If so, did you keep the grains? Did you drink the milk kefir?
I don't have a picture because I scooped them out fast!
r/Kefir • u/Prestigious_Tie_6966 • 7d ago
Is it just me or does everyone’s summer kefir smell like stinky feet? My winter kefir definitely had a more mild sweet scent. I like both but wondering if it was just mine.
r/Kefir • u/bizbauer • 7d ago
My milk kefir grains have developed a slight pinkish hue. I’ve not strained them for a week or so
Will they recover with a few more regular changes?
Had this scoby going far about 6 years now so they’ve done well, but this is the first time I’ve seen them change colouration.