Kefir grains are packed with probiotics and other nutrients that relieve gastrointestinal symptoms. When fermented with milk, these grains create a tart, yogurt-like beverage. Learning how to make kefir could be your first step to better digestive health.

Making Your Own Kefir Milk

It’s fairly simple to make this nutritious drink yourself, and consuming kefir homemade allows you to maximize all of the grain’s great benefits. You’ll need some supplies to get started:

• A wide mouth glass jar
• Cloth
• Strainer
• Kefir grains

For maximum impact, use fresh kefir grains instead of dehydrated ones. To make it easier, opt for a kit that contains all the kefir making supplies you need, along with detailed instructions. Once you have your tools, you’re ready to get started:

1. Place kefir grains in jar and add milk.

Feed your kefir grain starter about a cup to start with. You can use whole milk or 2%, whichever you prefer. You’ll need a little bit of fat to help the grains ferment properly. 

2. Cover jar and let it ferment for one day.

Using your cloth, cover the jar and secure it with a rubber band. Find a cool, dry spot to let it ferment for the next 24 hours. Make sure it’s away from direct sunlight. 

3. Strain grains from drink.

Remove the grains from the liquid by pouring the substance through a colander. Hold onto the grains! You can reuse them to make more kefir milk. 

Using Kefir Milk to Make Cheese

If you want to take the process further and become a master kefir cheese maker, line your bowl with cheesecloth before you strain the milk. Tie the cheesecloth with the milk inside and let it hang over your bowl for another 24-48 hours. Fresh cheese awaits you when you unwrap the package.

This process can be fun and extremely rewarding as you see the grains go to work. Enjoy the health benefits of the milk on its own or use it to make kefir cheese. Shop through our website to get started on your first batch.