Kefir is a fermented drink similar to a runny yogurt. There is two kinds of kefir, water kefir and milk kefir. I’ll be sharing about milk kefir on this post.
Kefir is a great way to get probiotics. And it’s actually really easy to make! I’ve bought it plenty from the store without even thinking that I could make it for a lot cheaper! For 1 gallon of milk I can make 4 quarts of kefir. Right now the prices of 1 gallon of milk and 1 quart of kefir are about the same so with the 1 gallon of milk I can make 3 extra quarts of kefir for free! And here I am now making kefir in my kitchen! And we love drinking it! I’m surprised at how much my kids love it too!
I didn’t know so much about kefir, I just knew it was similar to yogurt. But, it has way more beneficial active cultures/bacteria that are healthy for your gut. Yogurt does too, kefir just has more!
A few things I’ve noticed since we have been drinking kefir regularly for 2 months. It’s improved our mood! We started in January with drinking it 3-4x a week and with that being usually a cold and miserable month, it actually when by pretty pleasant! Of course when adding probiotics it should help with keeping a normal functioning flushing system. You should start to notice a normal poop schedule of 1-2x a day!
Back on course!!
Making kefir is one of the easiest thing to keep up on when making it in your kitchen! AND making it yourself will save you money! I love saving money while becoming healthier!
The process of making kefir is so simple! Compared to making sourdough, saurkuart, kombucha and other fermented things, kefir is one to start with! There really isn’t too much to learn on making kefir.
Here’s how you make MILK KEFIR:
Ingredients:
1 Quart of milk (about 4 cups)
1 Tablespoon of milk kefir grains
Directions:
- Add kefir grains to milk in quart jar.
- Cover and let sit on counter for 12-48 hours (To you know it’s done with it starts to separate at the bottom of the jar. The milk with become thick like a runny yogurt.)
- Strain thru cheese cloth or a small holed colander.
- Keep kefir in fridge and keep kefir grains to start over again!
We enjoy drinking ours with just a little maple syrup, honey or jam! You can easily add it to a smoothie if you don’t prefer the taste. It’s a little sour if you drink it plain, and may be a little grainy but is similar to runny yogurt.
Choose your fermenting time for how tangy you like your kefir! Let it sit on the counter from 12-48 hours. I like to keep mine around 24 hours.
I use a silicone lid to cover my jar on the counter. You do not need to use a cloth for it doesn’t need air for the fermentation (like sourdough).
This recipe makes about 4 cups of kefir. Keeping the ratio of 1 quart (4 cups) of milk to 1 Tablespoon of kefir grains. If you don’t want to make as much change it to a lower ratio. You could use 2 cups of milk and 1 1/2 teaspoons of kefir grains. Your kefir grains will grow so you will have to get rid of (give them to a friend or just throw them away) part of them depending on how much you make. I do this daily so usually once a week I can split it up the grains and give some away for someone else to start!
This is something you can keep on your counter and do everyday. I have a routine to either strain it every morning or evening. We have been drinking kefir about every other day, so making 4 cups a day will give us all (6-7 people) a good serving! If you don’t want to make it everyday you can store it in the fridge in a small container with milk (2-3 weeks), or freeze it (1-2 months)
You can find kefir grains from a friend or order them online. I ordered mine online and just follow the instructions that are given to activate your grains when they come.
I love having another healthy option to drink! And being it’s so easy to make, makes it that much easier to becoming healthier!
Do you drink kefir? How do you like to flavor it?
