WHAT ARE KEFIR GRAINS? & How to Use Them at Home

Many people love to add kefir to their smoothies during summer. With incredible health benefits, kefir offers a variety of beneficial bacteria!

However, a lot of people don’t know the significance of kefir grains when it comes to including healthy probiotics in our daily diets.

What Are Kefir Grains?

Kefir grains are natural microorganisms with unique properties for various uses. They cannot be synthesized using artificial techniques in labs.

However, they tend to grow and multiply in milk; these larger clusters can be divided and then grow into a big clusters. This is how you maintain a continual production of homemade kefir!

This probiotic rich fermented beverage has been around for centuries. Read more on the history of kefir.

Within each cluster of kefir grains, you can find plenty of bacteria along with many strains of healthy yeasts.

Therefore, these play a vital role in fermenting a probiotic rich milk compared to yogurt that generally involves two to six types of bacteria.

Moreover, kefir comprises the following types of bacteria plus many others as well.

• Lactococcus lactis
• Lactobacillus paracasei
• Lactobacillus brevis
• Saccharomyces cerevisiae
• Bifidobacterium

Probiotics are beneficial bacteria can assist in maintaining proper digestive flora which may contribute to overall health and a sense of well-being.

These “grains” consist of proteins, lipids, and sugars; hence, they can speed up the fermentation of milk while growing in quantity.

You can purchase fresh kefir grains to prepare kefir milk at home with an appropriate culture.

In addition to the milk kefir grain, there is a non-dairy source of kefir in the form of water kefir grains. Water Kefir grains can be purchased in a dry dehydrated form.

Learn how to make Water Kefir:

Learn How to Make Milk Kefir:

Matcha Kefir Energy Smoothie

Kefir Popsicle Recipe

Types and Uses of Kefir

Homemade Water Kefir

Water kefir is a naturally carbonated beverage composed of water kefir grains. It is also known as Japanese water crystals, tibicos, and California bees. Typically, kefir is made up of goat, sheep, or cow milk, while water kefir consists of sugar water and water kefir grains.

These two ingredients create a grain-like culture of yeast and bacteria to prepare water kefir upon fermentation for over 24 to 72 hours. As a result, this probiotic beverage is produced.

With a range of good nutrition and health benefits, it tastes delicious and refreshing on warm summer days.

With the addition of lemons and figs, you can prepare detox water at home. It can be a part of a healthy in weight loss program with regular consumption.

Also, consider doing a double fermentation to make a fizzy kefir soda pop! Learn more at how to make water kefir.

Homemade Milk Kefir

Milk Kefir is composed of a mixture of yeasts and bacteria. After milk pasteurization, various bacteria, including Lactobacillus caucasius, are added along with yeasts, such as Torula kefir and Saccharomyces kefir. Its looks like cauliflower and is fermented for approximately 20 hours.

The refreshing kefir is an excellent alternative for yogurt, milk, and buttermilk in various foods. You can add kefir milk to your salads for creamy yet nutritious dressing or your cereal every morning.

Also, you can drink kefir milk to alleviate digestion issues. Moreover, you can find special kefir grains for coconut milk at various stores to prepare fresh coconut kefir milk at home.

How to Store Kefir Grains

Kefir grains are a great source of essential nutrients for the human body. If you are thinking about kefir grain storage, you can put them in a clear glass jar, Ziploc bag, or a freezer-safe container.

Cover the grains with dry milk powder and tightly seal the container, jar, or bag and store in the freezer for up to 2 months. With proper care and attention, you can freeze kefir grains and avail their benefits at home very conveniently.

In Conclusion:

Kefir offers marvelous health benefits when consumed on a regular basis. Make sure to try your hand at making either milk kefir or water kefir or both and discover for yourself the benefits of fermented foods!

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