So recently, shuffling babies on our hips and trying to keep an eye on our wandering toddlers while at a family party, my friend casually asked me if I wanted to have some of her kefir grains.
My answer was a resounding yes!
For those who do not know what kefir water is … it is a naturally fermented, fizzy drink that is wonderfully full of probiotics, vitamin B, amino acids, minerals and enzymes. It is fairly simple to brew at home, does not require fancy equipment and can be modified to taste once it is finished and ready to drink.
And it taste great! Truly!
There are tons of tutorials online, many websites with fabulous information so I’m not going to dish out the same details. But if you are interested, kefir water is something you definitely need to add to your kitchen! I’m by no means an expert at this yet, but am happy to be learning and adding kefir water to our fridge/pantry.
Here are a few links for more information:
My grains have already multiplied and I will be giving some to my mom soon so she can start her own brew.
If you have access to the water grains, all you need is a mason jar, water, cane sugar (or I have read you may use coconut sugar) and your grains {which are not grains at all -but simply referred to as grains because of their appearance. Kefir grains are actually a relationship formed between bacteria and yeast. Sounds scary but it’s not!}.
Measure out a litre of room temperature water and dissolve a 1/4 cup of organic sugar in water.
Add 1/4 cup of your kefir grains.
Drop in a slice of lemon and/or a piece of ginger (I made a few batches with ginger, a few without.)
My friend recommended dropping in a clean egg shell during the process, as well.
Place cheesecloth of fabric between lid and kefir water and screw lid loosely onto jar. Let your jar(s) sit on the counter out of direct light for 48 hours.
After the 48 hours, remove the grains using a plastic spoon or strainer. If you wish, let your brew sit for one more day to create the fizzy taste we all love. You will need to have room in your jar and the lid to allow for the ‘fizzy’ to happen (no one wants an exploding jar!).
At this time, you may also flavor your kefir water – we added homemade strawberry syrup to our first brew. It was delicious!
Once it is finished fermenting, it will need to be refrigerated. Don’t let it sit too long in the fridge … but trust me, it won’t … if you and your children enjoy it as we do!
The girls call our water ‘homemade pop’ … it taste so good! We don’t typically purchase soda or pop so this is a great treat for the girls. You can even add the kefir water to homemade popsicles! What a healthy treat! Lyla has requested a ‘root beer’ version … any recipes?
I will be looking up lots of great ideas for this to modify each batch to taste.
Have you tried kefir water? What are your thoughts? I always find it so encouraging to make something simply at home and yet still gain from the nutritional benefits!
by Gigi
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