The milk is heated to 180 degrees Fahrenheit , cooled to 75 degrees, mixed with the kefir starter and left out at room temperature in a sterile container for a day, then refrigerated. The thing is, it tastes a bit like buttermilk, which could be absolutely normal. But I don't know. I've been using the freeze dried kefir from the health food store.
In the book, Wild Fermentation by Sandor Katz, he recommends a company call G.E.M. cultures which sells a few different types of cultures that are live. I also should try my local food co-op to see if they offer live cultures. The benefit of live cultures is that they can be reused again and again. Any comments or suggestions are welcome!
I've never had kefir but it's on my list of things to try after I can do dairy again.
ReplyDeleteohh I'm inspired now to make my own. we just healed my eldest daughters gnarly ongoing tummy bug with organic goats milk kefir. powerful stuff! : )
ReplyDeletei used to make kefir all the time. i used grains from a friend and then when mine got too large i'd split them and share them. do you reuse the grains?
ReplyDeleteyay!! another fermented food to make at home. i have been reading his chapter on vinegar. then perused wine and beer. i am so into that book. i love having my friends doing this. it is so inspiring. keep it up! cuz i depend on you for inspiration.
ReplyDeleteI just recently tried kefir and loved it! My boys did too, well at least the oldest. I bought two jugs coming to date that were less than 1/2 price. Over a week in the fridge, past date, and it was still fine. Obviously the probiotics in there keeping it alive.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to learn to make it as the price was staggering, if it hadn't been marked down I never would have bought it. I just used the last of it in my spelt muffins today.
I know nothing about kefir or why I should be eating it. It sounds similar to making homemade yogurt?
ReplyDeleteThe boys and I just made Kefir ice cream with maple syrup this afternoon. It was actually tastier than making ice cream with yogurt. We have a new fav. We adore Kefir here and I really want to start making it.
ReplyDeleteHello! I knew I would find something about kefir on your site! ;) A friend just gave me some grains today and I am hoping to make them work! In the directions she gave me it doesn't say anything about heating the milk. I'll let you know how it goes.
ReplyDelete