Dairy Free Probiotics Beverage - Producing Water Kefir At Home
I've recently began looking into dairy free options for probiotics (the good bacteria), and my search quickly brought me to "water kefir". If you are familiar with milk kefir grains in any way, these grains are very much the same, except you would soak them in water rather than a dairy beverage.
To get going, I got all the required items gathered which includes, a 2L glass container, some unprocessed healthy sugar, some mineral water, and obviously, water kefir grains. They are accessible on Amazon however I found mine on eBay. If you cannot locate the grains on these 2 sites, try searching for 'tibicos' instead because that is the name they are commonly referred to as. They took about a week to arrive and at that time I wasn't ready to utilize them so I stored them in the fridge in a sugar solution. They are able to keep for a couple of weeks in the fridge in sugar water. They possibly won't reproduce this way, however they should thrive. If you require extra time than 2 weeks you just have to change the sugar-water solution.
Once I was all set to make some water kefir I got out a basic recipe and commenced brewing. It's best to keep the grains separate in a cloth bag that will allow the sugar solution to penetrate and at the same time not allow it to merge with the other "substances" (because it's just difficult to separate them afterwards).
Regarding water, you can boil tap water to remove the chlorine (then let cool all the way), or purchase (or obtain) some spring or mineral water. Fill the 2L container 3/4 of the way and add just about 1/2 a cup of sugar. Additionally, add 1 cup of kefir grains to the cloth (or muslin) bag and be prepared for them to increase in numbers so leave them some space!
You may add a tsp of blackstrap molasses to include additional vitamins and minerals for the grains to feed on. Also, putting 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda is usually suggested. This can help prevent a film from being developed on the surface of the water, as well as help improve the grain growth.
Now, you may put in any flavoring by means of berries, or lemon slices, a fig or two, a few raisins, ginger, etc.
Cover the jar loosely, and let it rest in a dark location (cover with a dish towel if needed) to ferment and brew your kefir water. Stirring every 12-24 hours is beneficial. Avoid allowing anything metal to touch the grains or the water (throughout or following the brewing procedure) as it can destroy the healthy bacteria. Let it sit for 2-3 days, trying it once or twice a day. If it's too sweet, let it sit longer, and if it has a vinegary taste it may have sat too long.
Fill the rest of the container with some 100% fruit juice if desired. The water kefir may be saved in the fridge for a few days to a week.
To get going, I got all the required items gathered which includes, a 2L glass container, some unprocessed healthy sugar, some mineral water, and obviously, water kefir grains. They are accessible on Amazon however I found mine on eBay. If you cannot locate the grains on these 2 sites, try searching for 'tibicos' instead because that is the name they are commonly referred to as. They took about a week to arrive and at that time I wasn't ready to utilize them so I stored them in the fridge in a sugar solution. They are able to keep for a couple of weeks in the fridge in sugar water. They possibly won't reproduce this way, however they should thrive. If you require extra time than 2 weeks you just have to change the sugar-water solution.
Once I was all set to make some water kefir I got out a basic recipe and commenced brewing. It's best to keep the grains separate in a cloth bag that will allow the sugar solution to penetrate and at the same time not allow it to merge with the other "substances" (because it's just difficult to separate them afterwards).
Regarding water, you can boil tap water to remove the chlorine (then let cool all the way), or purchase (or obtain) some spring or mineral water. Fill the 2L container 3/4 of the way and add just about 1/2 a cup of sugar. Additionally, add 1 cup of kefir grains to the cloth (or muslin) bag and be prepared for them to increase in numbers so leave them some space!
You may add a tsp of blackstrap molasses to include additional vitamins and minerals for the grains to feed on. Also, putting 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda is usually suggested. This can help prevent a film from being developed on the surface of the water, as well as help improve the grain growth.
Now, you may put in any flavoring by means of berries, or lemon slices, a fig or two, a few raisins, ginger, etc.
Cover the jar loosely, and let it rest in a dark location (cover with a dish towel if needed) to ferment and brew your kefir water. Stirring every 12-24 hours is beneficial. Avoid allowing anything metal to touch the grains or the water (throughout or following the brewing procedure) as it can destroy the healthy bacteria. Let it sit for 2-3 days, trying it once or twice a day. If it's too sweet, let it sit longer, and if it has a vinegary taste it may have sat too long.
Fill the rest of the container with some 100% fruit juice if desired. The water kefir may be saved in the fridge for a few days to a week.
