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How to Make Kefir Milk And Smoothies And Kefir Cheese

OUR MICROBIOME (Gut Health) IS THE BEST ASSET TO OUR HEALTH WHEN WE HAVE A GOOD SUPPLY OF PROBIOTIC FOOD/FOODS TO HOST FRIENDLY FLORA THAT OUTNUMBER UNHEALTHY (Each Of Us Has A Ratio That Varies From Person To Person). OUR HEALTH BASICALLY HINGES ON CARING FOR OUR MICROBIOME. WE CAN ENJOY THIS EXERCISE!

How to Make Kefir Milk

By Maria Lichty - A Health Food Advocate With A Recipe Website

How to make milk kefir, a probiotic-rich fermented drink that has lots of health benefits! It’s easy to make at home and so much better than store bought kefir.

Milk Kefir

I have talked about my love for kefir on Instagram stories and every time I get a ton of questions and requests for me to write a blog post about how to make kefir. Today is the day! We are talking all about kefir! My friend, Tanna, introduced me to kefir. I attended one of her kefir classes and learned SO much. She is the kefir, probiotic queen and I am so glad she showed me her kefir ways because I love it! I have been really keen ever since.

So let’s get started. First of all, what is kefir? Kefir is a cultured, fermented beverage made from milk. Kefir has a tart, creamy flavor, kind of similar to buttermilk or plain yogurt.

Benefits of Kefir

Kefir is packed with nutrients and probiotics. It is very helpful for digestion, gut health, a healthy immune system and even mental health. Kefir is also a great source of protein, calcium, and B vitamins.

I have been drinking kefir almost every single day for about a year and I am a believer! I just feel better! My gut is so much happier, I don’t get sick as much…and if I do, I bounce back quickly. I should note, I am not a health practitioner , I am just sharing my personal experience with kefir. I love it and it is working well for me and my overall health, but please consult a health practitioner if you have any questions:)

Kefir Grains

To make kefir, you need kefir grains, which are the starter grains. The starter grains are a combination of yeast, milk proteins, and bacteria. They kind of look like cottage cheese:)

Kefir grains are available in some health food stores, as well as online. Kefir grains grow with each batch, so people who make their own kefir are usually happy to share their extra grains. I got my grains from my friend Tanna and have since shared with a few friends. It’s fun to share the kefir love:) And kefir grains will grow so you will need to eventually share. You can purchase live kefir grains here. I don’t recommend dried kefir grains, start with live grains for best results.

Supplies to Make Kefir

Yes, you can buy kefir at the store but I like to make my own because it doesn’t have any added flavorings or sugars, it’s more affordable, and it really is easy to make!

To make milk kefir, you will need the following:

  • Kefir Grains-You will need about 2 teaspoons of kefir grains to get started!
  • Glass Jars-Glass won’t react to the acidity of the ferment and glass is BPA free. Use quart size (32 oz) wide mouth glass mason jars. Buy a set so you always have clean jars. DO NOT use the metal lids that come with the jars. Metal should not be used as a culturing vessel or for any item that will have contact with the kefir grains.
  • Plastic Lids-Only use plastic lids to cover the jars.
  • Stainless Steel or Plastic Mesh Strainer-Only use stainless steel or plastic. Avoid metal strainers and fine mesh strainers, they are too small and make it difficult to strain. I use this strainer.
  • Cow’s Milk or Goat’s Milk-Use whole milk, 2% or 1%. Skim milk is not recommended. Ultra-pasteurized or lactose free milk will NOT work. Coconut milk can be used but you have to revitalize the kefir grains in animal milk for 24 hours, every few days. The thickness of your kefir will depend on the type of milk you use. I make my kefir with 1% cow’s milk and it works great!
  • Plastic Spoon or Wooden Spoon-never use a metal spoon when dealing with kefir.

How to Make Milk Kefir

I like to do my “kefir routine” every morning. It only takes about 5 minutes. Let’s get started!

Put the kefir grains, about 2 teaspoons, into a clean glass jar with about 3 cups fresh milk. Make sure you leave about 1-inch of room at the top of the jar.

Place a plastic lid on top of the jar, but do not tighten it. You want the lid to be loose on top of the jar.

Place the jar in a warm place, out of direct sunlight, for 24 hours. I put my jar in a cabinet in our kitchen. You will know your kefir is done when it has slightly thickened and smells fermented. It will also be bubbly, you will be able to tell. It could take a little less than 24 hours or a little longer, it just depends on the temperature of your kitchen. I like to do my kefir routine the same time every morning so it is always right around 24 hours.

Tighten the lid and shake well. Place a stainless-steel strainer or plastic strainer over a clean jar. Strain the kefir into the jar. To help the thickened milk kefir move through the strainer, you can gently tap the strainer gently against the side of the jar.

At this point, you can add fresh or frozen fruit if you want to do a second fermentation. I add a half of a banana and then put the lid on tight and let the kefir sit out on the counter for another 2 to 5 hours. This will double the amount of probiotics. If you don’t want to do the second fermentation, you can put the lid on and store the kefir in the refrigerator.

Now, you start the process over again with the kefir grains you have in the strainer. You don’t need to rinse the kefir grains. Put the kefir grains in a clean jar, add milk, put the lid on (but not tight) and repeat the process. 

How Long Does Kefir Last in the Fridge?

Kefir milk will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. I always give it a good shake before using.

If you need to give your kefir a break because you are going out of town or have too much kefir, you can put the grains on pause.

Put the kefir grains in a clean jar with about 3 cups of fresh milk. Put the lid on and place immediately in the refrigerator for up to one week. When you are ready to start making kefir again, put the grains in fresh milk and discard the milk they’ve been sitting in. Start the process over again.

Ways to Use Kefir

Once you start making kefir, you will have A LOT of kefir because you have to make it every day. Our fridge is always full of kefir and our entire family drinks it. I make kefir smoothies for us every morning. I also use kefir in as many recipes as possible. I also recommend finding friends to share your kefir grains with!

And remember, you can always put your kefir on hold if your fridge starts looking like a kefir factory:)

Here are our favorite ways to use kefir:

Smoothies are my FAVORITE way to use kefir. I make a kefir smoothie every single morning. You can use kefir to replace any milk. My go to is my Secret Ingredient Healthy Smoothie. The kids love it too!

Kefir Drink-you can drink kefir plain, but it is pretty tart. To sweeten it up a little, add a little fruit and honey or pure maple syrup and blend. If you did the second fermentation, you can just blend the fruit that is in the jar. It will stay good in the fridge.

Buttermilk Substitute-Use plain kefir in place of buttermilk in recipes. We make kefir biscuits, muffins, pancakes, and waffles all of the time. Note-when you cook with kefir, it will kill the healthy bacteria, but there are still lots of other nutrients and when you have a lot it’s great to use it in recipes so it doesn’t go to waste.

If you aren’t used to drinking kefir, start slowly to allow your body to get used to the extra probiotics, just to be safe:)

If you try making homemade kefir, let me know how it goes! I am seriously a fan!

Milk Kefir

How to make milk kefir, a probiotic-rich fermented drink that has lots of health benefits! It's easy to make at home!

Ingredients

  • 2 teaspoons kefir grains
  • 3 cups fresh milk (cow or goat milk)

Instructions

  1. Put kefir grains, about 2 teaspoons of grains, into a clean glass jar with about 3 cups fresh milk. Make sure you leave about 1-inch of room at the top of the jar.
  2. Place a plastic lid on top of the jar, but do not tighten it. You want the lid to be loose on top of the jar.
  3. Place the jar in a warm place, out of direct sunlight, for 24 hours. I put my jar in a cabinet in our kitchen. You will know your kefir is done when it has slightly thickened and smells fermented.
  4. Tighten the lid and shake well. Place a stainless-steel strainer or plastic strainer over a clean jar. Strain the kefir into the jar.
  5. At this point, you can add fresh or frozen fruit if you want to do a second fermentation. I add ½ banana and then put the lid on tight and let the kefir sit out on the counter for another 2 to 5 hours. This will double the amount of probiotics. If you don’t want to do the second fermentation, you can put the lid on and store the kefir in the refrigerator.
  6. Now, you start the process over again with the kefir grains you have in the strainer. Put the kefir grains in a clean jar, add milk, put the lid on (but not tight) and repeat the process.

Notes

Read the post for more tips and where to buy supplies, etc. 

Other recipes you may like

VEGETARIAN

Peach Raspberry Smoothie

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Detox Smoothie

VEGETARIAN

Berry Banana Smoothie Bowl

Kefir strengthens the immune system.

https://www.canlitv.vin

We can eat kefir grains too. Some people may not care for their slightly rubbery, chewy texture, but I don’t mind it.

RENEE

I am wondering what temperature the milk needs to be. Room temp, warmed, or is it ok to use it straight from the fridge? Thanks.

MARIA LICHTY

You can use milk from the fridge to make the kefir.

My kefir was great for the first 2 or 3 weeks. Suddenly it turned very thick and yuck instead of the loose yogurt-like texture it had been.

I haven’t had this happen and I have had the same kefir grains for 2 years. I would recommend getting new grains. The kefir is a little thick until you shake it, but it should thin out and strain just fine.

Are you changing the milk daily? 

Sometimes we forget to add extra milk when our kefir multiplies. You might be adding too little milk now and letting it stand for too long?

It sounds like you’re using too many grains for the amount of milk that you have. Half the amount of kefir grains that you currently have.

A few years ago a friend gave me some cauliflower like kefir starter. I made it for awhile, then accidentally froze it in the back of my fridge. In the last year I have been making kefir again with a dry kefir starter from the health food store. My kefir is working well but it always looks like cottage cheese instead of cauliflower.
It doesn’t multiply much, but maybe that is because the small bits go through the sieve.

RITA

I started my Kefir last night, almost 24 hours and it is creamy, I strained it and plan a second fermentation and I like the fruit idea. I can’t wait till tomorrow how the fruit will make out.

Source HERE

How to Make Cream Cheese from Kefir at Home?
From a Russian at Rusakraut.Com

If you want to make your own cottage cheese at home, try making it from kefir. Kefir cheese is creamy, dietary and suited for baby food. Use organic kefir, and you will obtain the real healthful product. You can use your own kefir as well. There are two methods for making cottage cheese at home: hot and quick; cold and slow. Cold Method Pour you kefir in a plastic bottle and put it in a freezer for 8-10 hours. Place 2-layers cheesecloth over a strainer. And set it over a bowl. Cut the plastic bottle up and put the frozen kefir into the strainer.

Let it melt. It can take some hours. The exact time of melting depends on how much kefir you have. When the kefir has melted and the whey has passed through, gather the cheesecloth up and squeeze it to remove as much whey as possible.

Kefir cream cheese is ready.


Hot Method

Pour your kefir into a saucepan. Warm it over small heat. Then whey starts to separate set the saucepan aside. Be careful! Your kefir must not boil.

Transfer your hot kefir to a strainer with cheesecloth.
When all whey has passed through the strainer, gather the cheesecloth and hang it up for 30-40 minutes. Then squeeze it with your hands.
Your kefir cottage cheese is ready.

What about Salt and Spices?

You can add salt and various spices to your kefir cream cheese if you like. In Russia, we do not add salt to our cream cheese, because we use it for baby food mainly.

Which Method gives the Best Result?

It does not matter. Use any as you like. Some people think that the cold method is easier because you do not have to look after the kefir. You can put it in a strainer and forget about it for some hours.

Source HERE

You will need to click on the above link to see more instructional pictures provided.

Also, you will find recipes on their website for various tasty fermented foods that benefit our health including Kimchi etc ENJOY

Some Advice From An eBay Store I Purchased From

1*TABLESPOON*PREMIUM*KEFIR*GRAINS*

***GUARANTEED TO BE 1 TABLESPOON .CLEAN RINSED KEFIR GRAINS***

***BPA FREE PACKAGING***

THIS *PREMIUM* MILK KEFIR IS EXTREMELY HEALTHY AND IS FED FRESH  MILK EVERY DAY.

Start your ferment with 500ml of room temperature milk.

Keep your kefir jar in a warm spot.warmer temperatures will increase the ferment process.

WE WASH OUR KEFIR EVERY DAY IN 100% CHLORINE FREE FILTERED WATER TO MAKE SURE THERE IS NO MILK CURD REMAINING BETWEEN BATCHES.

This person has perpetuated a batch of Premium Culture from Europe successfully for 20 years and was taught by a Russian with a lifetime of experience..

I trust this Page helps with your Health and Preparation endeavors.

CAUTION: Watch out for Synthetic Probiotics - Avoid Chemist/Pharmacy purchases - it is Safer to make your own Probiotic Foods or buy a Genuine Kefir-Yogurt product from a Health Store or Supermarket. If you make your own Fermented/Probiotic Foods, you can keep to Glass containers, much healthier for you. How good is that?