Fermentation is the process of changing beneficial microorganisms into ones that help our microbiota (intestinal flora) and, as a result, improve our digestion and health in general.
Kefir is a drink made by yeast and bacteria working together through the process of fermentation. The two most commonly known types are water made from water kefir grains (also known as tibicos), and milk made from milk kefir grains. Each has its own characteristic flavor.
By consuming kefir, we provide our bodies with a rich source of high-quality, natural probiotics. By taking a daily “shot,” especially on an empty stomach, we strengthen the microbiota in our digestive system, which improves our overall health. We can consume it as a natural beverage or add it to different foods. There are many different ways to use it.
How to Prepare Kefir
Now that we know what kefir is, we will look at three incredible ways to prepare it. What may take some work is getting the water kefir and milk kefir grains, which are basically the microorganisms we will use for fermentation. Once we have them, the rest is simple, and since they are living beings, if we take good care of them, we can use them for a long time to make kefir and add it to our regular diet.
At first, we need 1–2 tablespoons, but as time goes on, we can give kefir grains to other people so that they can grow and share this natural gift with more people who are interested in fermentation.
Enjoy the recipes!
Did You Know?
If you are entering the world of fermentation, and especially to prepare kefir, it is important that you know the following ways of referring to the microorganisms we use for fermentation to save yourself headaches when you hear these ways of calling the that and know that they refer to the same thing.
Water kefir grains are also called:
- Water kefir
- Tibicos
- Tibicos mushroom
Milk kefir grains are also called:
- Milk kefir
- Kefir grains
- Milk Kefir granules
WATER KEFIR
1 liter
MATERIALS:
- 1 or several glass jars without lids
- Tea towels or kitchen cloths
- Rubber bands or ties
- 1 or several glass jars with lids, they can be long-necked (wine type)
- Wooden spoon
- Plastic strainer
Notes:
Avoid metal utensils as much as possible.
You must make sure that your glass jars are clean and sanitized. Simply add some boiling water and vinegar to sterilize them, then dry them off.
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 tablespoons water kefir grains
- 3 to 5 raisins or 1 date
- ⅓ of 1 lemon
- ¼ cup granulated panela (raw sugar cane) or regular sugar (preferably organic)
- 1 liter filtered water
- The lemon and the fruit add minerals and nutrients to the drink!
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Get the water kefir grains (donated, bartered, or purchased).
- Pour the water and the panela (or the sugar) into the glass jar (or jars) without a lid.
- Add the raisins and lemon (squeeze and drop). Mix with a wooden spoon.
- Add the water kefir grains with a wooden spoon, cover each jar with a tea towel or kitchen cloth and secure with a rubber band or a tie.
- Let it rest for 2 to 3 days in a place where it receives light (not direct sunlight).
A second fermentation can be done to add more flavor.
- Remove the water kefir grains by straining the water, preferably with a plastic strainer.
- If you want it concentrated, add ½ cup of natural fruit puree of your choice for each liter of kefir or if you want it infused, add cubes of natural fruit of your choice. Another option is to add aromatic herbs, essential oil, or others of your choice.
- Pour into glass jars with lids (they can be long-necked wine-type jars), close and leave to ferment for one more day before refrigerating.
Now you have a delicious probiotic drink to go along with your meals!
COCONUT WATER KEFIR
500ml (½ liter)
MATERIALS:
- 1 or several glass jars without lids
- Tea towels or kitchen cloths
- Rubber bands or ties
- 1 or several glass jars with lids, they can be long-necked (wine type)
- Wooden spoon
- Plastic strainer
Notes:
Avoid metal utensils as much as possible.
You must make sure that your glass jars are clean and sanitized. Simply add some boiling water and vinegar to sterilize them, then dry them off.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 tablespoon water kefir grains
- 3 to 5 raisins or 1 date
- ⅓ of 1 lemon
- 500 ml natural coconut water (if less than 500 ml comes out of a coconut, it can be supplemented with filtered water and sugar, preferably organic).
Note: If we use only coconut water, it is not necessary to add sugar, but if we mix it with a part of water, it is necessary to add sugar (½ to 1 tbsp).
It’s important that if you buy coconut water, you check that it is unpasteurized.
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Get the water kefir grains (donated, bartered, or purchased).
- Add the natural coconut water, the raisins and the lemon (squeeze and drop) to the glass jar (or jars) without a lid. Mix with a wooden spoon.
- Add the water kefir grains with a wooden spoon, cover each jar with a tea towel or kitchen cloth and secure with a rubber band or a tie.
- Let it rest for 1 to 3 days in a place where it receives light (not direct sunlight).
- Remove the water kefir grains by straining the coconut water, preferably with a plastic strainer.
- Pour into glass jars with lids (they can be long-necked wine-type jars), close and leave to ferment for one more day before refrigerating.
Tip: If where you live is hot and humid, it will take 24 hours (1 day) to ferment. If the weather is cold, it will take about 72 hours (3 days).
COCONUT MILK KEFIR (Made with Water Kefir Grains)
1 liter
MATERIALS:
- 1 or several glass jars without lids
- Tea towels or kitchen cloths
- Rubber bands or ties
- 1 or several glass jars with lids
- Wooden spoon
- Plastic strainer
Notes:
Avoid metal utensils as much as possible.
You must make sure that your glass jars are clean and sanitized. Simply add some boiling water and vinegar to sterilize them, then dry them off.
INGREDIENTS:
- 4 tablespoons water kefir grains
- 250 ml coconut milk kefir (made with milk kefir grains)
- 750 ml natural coconut milk
Notes:
Yes, you got it right, coconut milk kefir made with milk kefir grains is needed for this recipe. If you buy it, you can use either coconut milk kefir or animal milk kefir, unpasteurized.
If instead, you want to make it from scratch, you can see the recipe down below: COCONUT MILK KEFIR FROM SCRATCH (Made with Milk Kefir Grains).
It’s important that if you buy natural coconut milk, you check that it is unpasteurized.
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Add the coconut milk kefir from the ingredients and the natural coconut milk to a pot.
- Heat on the stove at 40-45° for about 3 minutes (it only needs to be warm).
- Pour into the glass jar (or jars) and add the water kefir grains with a wooden spoon, cover with tea towels or kitchen cloths and secure with either rubber bands or ties.
- Let it rest for 1 to 2 days (maximum) in a place where it receives light (not directly in the sun).
- Remove the water kefir grains by straining the mixture, preferably through a plastic strainer.
- Store in one or more glass jars with a lid. Close and let ferment one more day before refrigerating. In this second fermentation, you can add flavor from the fruit of your choice or spices like cinnamon powder.
It’s important to consume the Coconut Milk Kefir in a maximum of 3 days; and both in fermentation and in consumption, check it out daily to avoid unwanted microorganisms.
You now have a tasty, natural whey and probiotic to complement your meals!
COCONUT MILK KEFIR FROM SCRATCH (Made with Milk Kefir Grains)
MATERIALS:
- 1 glass jar without lid
- Tea towel or kitchen cloth
- Rubber band or tie
- Wooden spoon
- Plastic strainer
Note: Avoid metal utensils as much as possible.
INGREDIENTS:
- ¼ tablespoon milk kefir grains
- 250ml natural coconut milk
It’s important that if you buy natural coconut milk, you check that it is unpasteurized.
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Get the milk kefir grains (donated, bartered, or bought).
- Add the milk kefir grains with a wooden spoon and the natural coconut milk to the glass jar. Cover with a tea towel or kitchen cloth and secure with a rubber band or tie.
- Let it rest for 1 – 2 days (maximum) in a place where it receives light (not direct sunlight).
- Remove the milk kefir grains by straining the mixture, preferably through a plastic strainer.
The Coconut Milk Kefir is ready to be used in other recipes!
Note: If you want to make a ½ liter, multiply the ingredients by 2. If you want to make 1 liter, multiply the ingredients by 4. Follow the same instructions.
It’s important that every time you make Coconut Milk Kefir, you should repeat the process 4-5 times with whole animal milk, unpasteurized. The milk kefir grains’ preferred food for growing and fermenting is lactose from animal milk, which is why we cannot use natural coconut milk every time.
