How To Make Water Kefir – An Easy and Refreshing Fermented Beverage
Water kefir is a delightful and refreshing probiotic beverage that’s both quick and easy to make at home. This lightly sweetened, un-caffeinated drink is packed with beneficial probiotics and offers a gentle fizz that makes it a perfect alternative to sugary sodas. Whether enjoyed on its own or flavoured with fruits and herbs, water kefir is a delicious way to hydrate while supporting gut health!
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What are some health benefits of probiotics found in water kefir?
Digestive Health: These probiotics can aid digestion, reduce bloating, and relieve constipation.
Immune System Support: Probiotics can enhance your body’s immune response and a strong microbiome can help protect against infections and illnesses.
Detoxification: The bacteria in water kefir produce beneficial acids that support liver function and detoxification.
Mood and Mental Health: The link between gut health and mental health suggests that a strong microbiome may improve mood and sense of well-being.
What are some other benefits of water kefir?
Hydration: Water kefir provides essential minerals and nutrients for effective hydration. The enjoyable flavour may also cause you to drink more fluid!
Low in Sugar: Satisfy your sweet, cold beverage craving with water kefir as the sugar content is low after fermentation but still offers a sweet tang and effervescence. A healthy alternative to soda.
Versatility: Water kefir is very versatile when it comes to flavouring. You can use edibles such as berries, citrus fruits, herbs, spices, juice, or stone fruits to flavour your water kefir. This versatility allows you to get an abundance of antioxidants in your diet through water kefir.
Only 3 Ingredients: Kefir Grains, Sugar, and Water!
Where can I get kefir grains?
Can I use milk kefir grains for water kefir?
No, you can’t use milk kefir grains for water kefir. Although both are types of kefir, milk kefir grains are specifically designed to ferment the sugars in dairy, while water kefir grains are meant to ferment sugars from fruit or non-dairy liquids.
The microbial composition of milk kefir grains is not suited for water kefir, and using them in water may not yield the desired results. For successful water kefir, you’ll need to use water kefir grains.
What kind of sugar can I use?
To feed your kefir grains, you need sugar. You can use most granulated forms of sugar but aim for less refined such as, raw cane sugar, organic cane sugar, maple sugar, brown sugar, etc. If you use a whiter sugar, like Kirkland Organic Sugar, you’ll want to add in a little bit of molasses or a pinch of salt for the added mineral content. Avoid feeding your grains with highly processed sugar or high-fructose corn syrup as these can damage the health of the grains, as well as the health of humans. Also, avoid using honey to feed your kefir grains as real honey has antimicrobial properties and may interfere with the fermentation process.
Why do water kefir grains need additional minerals?
Water kefir grains need additional minerals because they provide essential nutrients that the grains require to ferment and thrive! Salt, molasses, and other unrefined sugars, are rich in minerals like iron, calcium, potassium, and magnesium, which are beneficial for the growth and health of the kefir grains.
What kind of water can I use?
The ideal water to use for water kefir is filtered and mineralized water such as spring water, well water, distilled water with added minerals, or simply filtered water. Avoid chlorinated tap water as chlorine can harm the kefir grains. If all you have is chlorinated tap water, simply fill a jug of it and let it sit out on the counter for 24 hours, the chlorine will evaporate.
What You’ll Need
Materials
- A clean quart mason jar
- A clean piece of fabric
- Elastic band
- Kefir grains
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
Ingredients
- 3 Tbsp of kefir grains
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tsp molasses
- 1/2 cup of hot water
- 3 cups of cold water
Instructions
1. In a clean quart mason jar, add 1/4 cup of sugar, 1 tsp molasses, and 1/2 cup hot water. Mix until sugars have dissolved.
2. Once sugar has dissolved, top up the jar with cold water (around 3 cups of cold water) leaving about an inch of space at the top.
3. Once your jar is full of sugary water, add 3 tbsp of kefir grains.
4. Cover jar with a piece of fabric, keep it in place with an elastic band.
5. Place your jar somewhere warm or on a windowsill.
6. Let mixture ferment until slightly bubbly. This could take anywhere from 1-3 days, depending on temperature.
7. Once the mixture is bubbly, your water kefir is alive and ready to be flavoured!
Flavouring Water Kefir
Flavouring water kefir is very simple and works as a second ferment once your mixture is slightly bubbly. For the second ferment, you’ll need two more quart mason jars.
- Once mixture is bubbly, grab two clean quart mason jars.
- To the new jars, add your flavourings.
- Once your flavourings are in, add about 2 cups of water to each jar or until the jar is half full.
- Strain out your kefir grains and set the grains aside. Divide the fermented water kefir evenly between your two jars with flavoured water. Each jar should be almost full.
- Cover each jar with a lid.
- Let the flavoured water kefir mixtures ferment at room temperature for another 1-2 days until bubbly.
- Once your mixture is bubbly and active, you can chill and drink as is or you can strain out your flavourings.
- Enjoy!
Flavour Combinations
Some water kefir flavour ideas for one jar of flavoured water kefir. These amounts can be adjusted and flavours can be changed based on preference, water kefir is very forgiving.
- Ginger Lemon: add around 1-2 Tbsp of freshly grated ginger + 3-4 lemon slices
- Red Raspberry Leaf & Ginger: 6 Tbsp leaves of dried red raspberry leaf + 2 Tbsp grated ginger
- Black Currant & Lemon: add 5-10 black currant (fresh or frozen) + 3-4 lemon slices
- Lime & Mint: muddle 2-3 sprigs of mint + the juice of a lime
- Cranberry Apple: 1/2 cup of apple juice + 10-15 cranberries
- Raspberry Ginger: 5-10 raspberries (fresh or frozen) + 1-2 Tbsp of freshly grated ginger
- Rhubarb & Lemon: add a handful of fresh or frozen pieces of chopped rhubarb + 3-4 slices of lemon
Water Kefir
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tsp molasses
- 1/2 cup hot water
- 3 cups cold water
- 3 Tbsp kefir grains
Instructions
- In a clean quart mason jar, add 1/4 cup of sugar, 1 tsp molasses, and 1/2 cup hot water. Mix until sugar has dissolved.
- Once sugar has dissolved, top up the jar with cold water (around 3 cups of cold water) leaving about an inch of space at the top.
- Once your jar is full of sugary water, add 3 tbsp of kefir grains.
- Cover jar with a piece of fabric, keep it in place with an elastic band.
- Place your jar somewhere warm or on a windowsill.
- Let mixture ferment until slightly bubbly. This could take anywhere from 1-3 days, depending on temperature.
- Once mixture is bubbly, your water kefir is alive and ready to be flavoured!
Flavouring Water Kefir (second ferment)
- Once mixture is bubbly, grab two clean quart mason jars.
- To the new jars, add your flavourings.
- Once your flavourings are in, add about 2 cups of water to each jar or until the jar is half full.
- Strain out your kefir grains and set the grains aside. Divide the fermented water kefir evenly between your two jars with flavoured water. Each jar should be almost full.
- Cover each jar with a lid.
- Let the flavoured water kefir mixtures ferment at room temperature for another 1-2 days until bubbly.
- Once your mixture is bubbly and active, you can chill and drink as is or you can strain out your flavourings.
- Enjoy!
Notes
Storing Kefir Grains
After using the kefir grains, they will multiply and need to be preserved until the next time you want to make water kefir. To store the grains, simply add 1/4 cup of sugar and 1 tsp of molasses to a quart jar, dissolve the sugar, top it with cold water, and then add the used grains.
Store the jar in the fridge until you’re ready to make water kefir again. When you want to make a new batch of water kefir, simply take out 3 tbsp of grains from the jar in the fridge and leave the rest in there. Add the used grains to the same jar in the fridge after you’re done fermenting the new batch. They will store well in the fridge for 3-6 months!
What is the thin layer of film on fermented water kefir?
The thin film on fermented water kefir is often referred to as “kefir film” or “kefir pellicle.”
It is a natural result of the fermentation process and is safe to consume. It’s a sign of a healthy fermentation environment and adds to the overall probiotic benefits of the water kefir.
This translucent film is not mold and can be mixed into your finished water kefir. Unlike mold, which is often fuzzy and coloured, the kefir film is usually smooth and clear. If you notice fuzzy or discoloured spots, it’s best to discard the batch.
The medical information on this site is provided as an information resource only, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any health care decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition.
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