Water kefir is a fermented drink that has billions of healthy probiotics. Most people are familiar with yogurt, which is usually made with cow and goat milk—although there are some new yogurts on the market made with non-dairy milks.

Discover the straightforward basics of making water kefir!

Learn the Basics of Making Water Kefir

There are also Milk Kefir Grains which are typically fermented in milk but these are completely different from Water Kefir Grains.

Learn : How to Make Homemade Milk Kefir

Discover More About: What Kefir Grains Are

BENEFITS of PROBIOTICS in KEFIR:

Probiotics help your digestion and boost your immune system.

Kefir grains are living organisms that need proper care to ferment. Here’s how to make water kefir.

Learn about kefir grains and how they add probiotics to your diet.

You only need three ingredients—water, sugar, and kefir grains—to make this tasty drink.

First, you need to get your kefir grains. These grains are different from regular grains like wheat, oats, or barley. Making water kefir is easy and healthy.

Here are photos of milk kefir grains and water kefir grains so you know the difference:

Milk Kefir Grains

Milk kefir grains are moist, white and soft. When the milk kefir grains are first removed from the milk kefir that look like cottage cheese. Once rinsed, they look like little heads of cauliflowers.

Water Kefir Grains in Fine Mesh Strainer

Water kefir grains are translucent and gelatin-looking. They are usually clear or can have an amber color depending on the type of sugar you use during the fermentation process.

The three ingredients needed are: water, sugar and kefir grains.

First of all, you will need to get your Water Kefir Grains from either an online source, a health food store, or from a friend. When your kefir grains arrive, remember that these kefir grains are living things, so handle them carefully.

Basics of Making Water Kefir

1. Upon receiving your Water Kefir Grains , put them in your fine mesh strainer and rinse with clean water to freshen them up.
2. Place 1/4 cup of Organic Cane Sugar in a clean glass 1 quart jar and add approx. 3 cups filtered water; making sure it is non-chlorinated. Stir to dissolve the sugar. When the sugar has dissolved, add your ½ cup kefir grains. I will also use Florida Crystal Demerara Sugar

Approx. measurements are ¼ cup sugar, and 3 cups water.

Increase your ratio of ingredients as your grains multiply.

1. Cover the jar with a clean cotton cloth or paper towel and secure it with a rubber band. Place the jar on your kitchen counter. Leave it for at least 24 hours, or up to 72 hours if your kitchen is cool.
2. You will see bubbles forming as the grains work. Stir it a couple of times each day.
3. After about 24 hours, the kefir should be ready, depending on your kitchen’s temperature. Bubbles will rise, and foam will appear on top. This is normal, and the kefir will smell fresh and tart.
4. Strain the mixture through a fine mesh fine mesh strainer. I strain the kefir into a 4-cup measuring cup and save the new grains in a mesh strainer for the next batch. Rinse the kefir grains under cold water while they’re still in the strainer.
5. Next, place the rinsed kefir grains in a clean jar with sugar and filtered water. Use about 2 tablespoons of grains for every 1 cup of water. If you have extra grains, the kefir will ferment faster. If it’s too fast, reduce the grains or add more water and sugar. The grains will multiply quickly.
6. Finally, pour the fresh water kefir from the measuring cup into a clean jar, put on a lid, and refrigerate. Be careful not to tighten the lid completely, as kefir can become fizzy. The longer it ferments, the stronger the flavor will be, and it can get more fizzy in the fridge. You can experiment to find your preferred taste. Remember, don’t screw the lids on too tightly; this can cause the jar to explode due to natural carbonation.
7. You might also try making Kefir Water Soda with a second fermentation. I use… Swing Cap Bottles for our Kefir Soda. Purchase bottles online.

There are many ideas for kefir drinks, from enjoying them plain to adding them to smoothies to doing a second fermentation period to make kefir soda. The extra grains may even be eaten plain. These grains are soft, pliable, and loaded with probiotics.

I have also found that our dogs, cats, and chickens love these grains. Feed them some when you have extra. The more grains that you have, the faster your kefir will be made. Your kefir grains will multiply on their own; you may slow the process by removing some of the grains and either eating them yourself, feeding some to your animals, or by decreasing the amount of water and sugar that you use. You can also add kefir grains to your compost.

Just as a side note, I used to buy probiotic supplements but do not need to anymore as the kefir provides these. I love the idea of providing our daily needs with simple foods! Kefir is rich in these essential probiotics as well as other nutrients.

Print Instructions:

Kefir Soda is delicious way to enjoy this probiotic drink.

To make Kefir Soda to need the fermented water kefir that you just made. Remove and save the kefir grains to start your next batch of water kefir.

Pour the fermented water kefir in either quart size canning jars or EZ Swing Cap Bottles. Leave enough room in your jars or bottles to add approximately 1/4 cup of undiluted 100% fruit juice concentrate. I like using either raspberry, cranberry or grape. All of these make delicious Kefir Soda.

Allow the jars or bottles to sit at room temperature on the counter for 1 to 2 days, then refrigerator. Plan on drinking your Kefir Soda within a week’s time. The longer it sits, even in the refrigerator, the most fizzy it becomes. Be careful opening all jars or bottles. I put a dish towel over the lids as I am opening the tops just in case of excessive fizzing.

If using canning jars, never tighten the lids completely as the kefir goes through the second fermentation, gases will be given off and need to escape. The EZ Swing Cap Bottles have super secure tops but please double-check with the manufacturer as to how best to open these bottles.

Make sure to begin with pure fresh water of an excellent quality!!!! The water quality is one of the most important basics of making water kefir. Try AquaSana Today!!!

EZ Swing Cap Bottles are perfect for Kefir Soda!!

Pin It for Safe Keeping!

Pin It for Safe Keeping!