Gut Healthy Water Kefir || Easy Probiotic Drinks || How to Feed & Use Water Kefir Grains
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- Опубликовано: 4 фев 2021
- #waterkefir #probioticdrink #kefirgrains
Hi friends!
Have you ever heard of water kefir grains? If you haven't, you're in for a treat! Water kefir grains are ALIVE and they are used to make a delicious, fermented, carbonated drink that's ACTUALLY really good for you! (Water kefir is non-alcoholic).
Loaded with probiotics and thousands of strains of healthy bacteria & yeast that are good for your gut health, kefir water is an excellent choice of beverage!
In today's video I'm going to show you how I store, feed & use my water kefir grains to make our family's water kefir each week-the EASY way! Cuz I like to keep it simple y'all!
You'll only need 2-3 TBS of water kefir grains to get started!
Get your organic water kefir grains here (Amazon): geni.us/UZAE
If you would like to do a little more reading about these amazing little miracle grains, click below for some helpful information regarding kefir grains!
www.culturesforhealth.com/lea...
Some people feed their grains everyday and make kefir water everyday. In our family, we only drink 1-2 bottles a week & sometimes I even take a break for a bit, so I like to store them in the fridge. Storing them in the fridge helps the grains to go dormant, where they don't need to be fed as often.
To store your grains:
Fill a quart jar with luke warm water, dissolve 1 cup of brown sugar & a pinch of good sea salt in the water. Once the water has cooled to room temp or below, add your kefir grains to the jar, give a gentle mix. Simply put an airtight lid on the jar and store your grains in your fridge for up to 2 wks! (Could possibly store longer...but I've only kept them stored for 2 to 2-1/2 weeks at a time).
To feed your grains to make your kefir water:
Strain your kefir grains and put them in a bowl. Fill a clean jar with luke warm water & dissolve 1/4 cup of brown sugar & a pinch of sea salt in the water. Once the water has cooled to room temp or below, add your grains, give a gentle mix. Cover your jar with something that will allow the gases to release during fermentation, but that will keep the bugs out like a coffee filter with a hair tie or tea towel, etc.
Put your jar in a room temperature area of your home for 24 hours to ferment. After 24 hours, you may strain your grains & drink the kefir water as is OR I like to take it a step further as I like my kefir water very carbonated (like a soda).
Next, add 1/2 cup of your favorite juice to a clean bottle or jar, then strain your kefir water into that bottle. Seal the jar with an airtight lid & set it in a room temp area again for another 24 hours (2nd fermentation).
This 2nd fermentation will really make your kefir water more carbonated...who doesn't like bubbles??? Amen? During this next 24 hours, ENSURE that you burp the jar/bottle several times. Being sure not to open the lid too fast! It will be very carbonated and can make a HUGE mess...trust me on this one! We've had ONE messy kefir water explosion LOL! I learned my lesson...
At this point you can either store your grains in the fridge as I mentioned above or you can start another batch of kefir water.
After your 2nd fermentation is complete, simply put your bottle in the fridge to slow/stop the fermentation!
Now your kefir water is ready for you to enjoy! Poor you a glass! Perfect for those warm summer days over ice!
Thanks for watching today, cheers!
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I have been making water kefir since 2015. I use one cup of organic (washed) sugar [ at COSTCO or other fine stores], one heaping tablespoon of organic blackstrap molasses, one half to one whole lime, lemon, or yuzu, to one gallon of hot water in a gallon jar. I add the kefir grains after the mixture cools down. Then I let it ferment for 48 to 72 hours in the jar with a paper towel and rubber band for the lid. Then add about one eighth to one half cup of fruit juice as I bottle it, in used sparkling wine or the like. After 2 to 3 days, be prepared to CAREFULLY CAREFULLY CAREFULLY POP THE TOP , just to release a tiny bit of pressure. The REFRIGERATE IT!!! Use ALL the bottles within a week, because refrigeration will slow the carbonation dramatically, but WILL NOT FULLY STOP A PRESSURE build up! Drink healthy and enjoy! I think I will try the 3/4 cup of sugar in my next batch.
The bloopers were fabulous 😂
I think the better way to explain it to folks is saying . “The grains metabolize the sugar, converting it to CO2”
Dear “Mrs Alaska”… getting upset with your hubby-too funny. Glad you had a good enough sense of humor to leave the “bloopers” in the vid 😂👍😘
I've been drinking the CRAP outta this stuff and it's also kinda helped me stop drinking so much booze. Lately, I've experimented with dried chamomile flowers, dried hibiscus flowers and with fresh ginger as flavoring for the final fermentation and WOW I'm LOVING these flavors!
Ohhhhh that flavor sounds delightful! So glad you enjoy the kefir! It’s such a treat for us especially because we don’t buy soda for the house. I LOVE the fizz! 😊
I LOVED this video and the information that you put into it. I’m so very new at making kefir. The end of this video was hilarious! Thank you for being real, and sharing that with us!
Glad you enjoyed it!☺️
Great video! Loved the information, the instructions on description, and bloopers. Blessings to you and Joe from Texas. 🙏🏻😇🙏🏻
Nice idea marking the jars!
Great video. Thank you!
Those lids are great. I left my kefir forgotten in the kitchen…. and was about to throw it away. When I opened the lid it was perfect. Had no bad odor at all. They had multiplied so much it was almost half full. Then I decided to start a new batch … and here I am again just checking up how much to feed my loving kefir. By the way the price of milk kefir here in Puerto Rico, USA, is about $8 at the supermarket. So it it really worth it … specially for your health. Thank you for your simple explanation.
I really appreciate the fact that you wrote instructions. Thanks!!!!
Awesome thanks!😉
We use syrups to flavor our water kefir and we love it--grenadine, Rose's brand syrups(peach, blueberry, strawberry, and lime flavored are available in our market), and there are others out there. Usually 2-3 tablespoons of syrup/bottle before the second ferment. It's all we drink now...
Tina! 🥰 My brother gave me some water kefir grains today, so I looked it up on here to see what to do with them, and I was so pleased to see you had a video.😊 I am also almost finished crocheting a blanket that you inspired me to do! (You were recently making one for Lexie). It's been years since I crocheted (before the days of RUclips), but now it's so much easier being able to watch a video when I don't understand something. I love it and find much enjoyment from it now! I pray for you, Joe, Parker, Lexie, and Nampa! I hope you're all doing well. 💛 Thanks for the great video.
Yay! We love water kefir. Parker thinks it’s so soda lol! Girl I’m still working on Lexxy’s blanket haha! I’m taking it on the trip across country to work on it some more. I’ll finish it one day (maybe haha)! I agree that RUclips makes it so easy. That’s where I learned the stitch for Lexxy’s blanket. I have trouble reading stitches in books. Even tho I know the terms, I still need to see it sometimes! Think of you often Robyn, I hope you guys are having a blessed fall season so far! ♥️♥️♥️
Lovely video! Everything I needed to know! :)
Excellent video Tina! Thank you!
Thanks so much!
You are so great! hahahah, love the bloopers! Ain't life fun!
Life is fun my friend! 🤣😊 Thanks so much for commenting!
So cool Tina, I can't wait to try Water Kefir. I didn't even know there was such a thing. I make my own Kombucha and fermented veggies but water kefir looks soo good and easy. And you do an amazing job explaining how to do it. This is a superb tutorial!! Thank you
Oh it is yummy! You will like it. Healthy soda I say!☺️
I love the bloopers… keeping it real 🤣🤣
Thank you Lois! Trying to keep it fun! And I always have a TON of bloopers haha! 🤣
thank you for your info, it helps. thank you
Glad it was helpful! You're very welcome :)
I just ordered my Masontops kefir lids earlier today. Thanks for the tutorial on how to use them.
You’re welcome, thanks for watching! I’m enjoying a glass now!😊
Joe...😂😂😂😂 I love you guys so much!❤
I've been making water kefir for over a year, and love it. I love the fizzyness. Yesterday however, I came down in the morning to an explosion of kefir and glass in my kitchen! I'd only bottled it the previous day - and I usually leave it on the countertop for another day to aid fermentation, before putting it in refrigerator. Never had that happen before. I'm in the UK by the way, and it is still cold here, and my kitchen is probably only about 60deg most of the time? Have to admit it's made me a bit nervous now....
Oh wow! Thats scary, especially after only one day. You’ve got some good/strong grains!😊
Unsulphured dried fruit is yummy. Ginger, apricot, cranberries 😁😋😉👍
🙏😇🙌
I can’t believe I am the first to comment. Great job, by the way... I thought the initial ferment was for 2 days?... You were so natural at the end of the video that I subscribed 😆❤️
I suppose some may do it that way Lola, but I've always done 24 hrs & then
another 24 hrs :) I'm so glad you subscribed!
You're the first person I've seen to mention Burping the bottle on the second ferment, GREAT JOB!! The first time I opened a Bottle of Kefir after the second ferment it went everywhere in the kitchen. I may have gotten about 4 ounces to taste. I've been playing with using Dynamic Health Juice concentrates and sugar for flavoring (1-2 Tbsp. Concentrate & 1/2 - 1 Tsp. Sugar per quart).
Thanks Buck! I appreciate that. So glad you enjoyed my video! 😉
I'm starting to make kefir water today, this video was great and informative, I have made 4 lots of kombucha but it's too acidic for me, so kefir is my next try, love the bloopers. 😹🌷
So glad it was helpful! Thank you for watching. I love kefir. I don't find it to be too acidic at all so hopefully this will work well for you! I don't buy soda for our house, so the carbonation in kefir & the sweetness is such a treat!
I started making water kefir around 3 weeks ago. For me its so much easier than kombucha, and even though i prefer the taste of that I drink way more kefir than kombucha now. I got my grains for $5 off a person from facebook marketplace. I put in 1/4 cup of organic cane sugar and a prune for the minerals and sometimes I add a lemon (not squeezed). Love having a fresh bottle pretty much every day :)
That’s awesome!😊
Thanks, usefull information, 🌸
You’re welcome! 😊
Awesome vid. I'm just starting my grains today. Why the pinch of salt? Love the bloopers. as I sit in my kitchen with NO shirt on. 🤣
Hey! So kefir grains like a mineral rich environment. There are a lot of different ways to get the minerals to your grains, the easiest I find is to add a pinch of good sea salt. It’s loaded with vitamins & minerals. It is possible to over mineralized your grains tho, so make sure you just add a pinch! 😉
I’m glad you liked the bloopers! I used to edit them out but eventually was like why? Lol…that’s real life haha! Sometimes I feel like I have more bloopers than content! 🤣 And I can never keep a shirt on Joe. I give up LOL! 🤷🏼♀️
Sweet 😊
Love this video. One of the best comprehensive water kefir tutorials I’ve watched so far. What happens if you put too much sugar in the water? Can you kill kefir grains by putting too much sugar?
Also, instead of sea salt, could a date or half a date be added for minerals?
Too much sugar can ruin your grains & Im not too sure about dates because I’ve never used them with my kefir grains.☺️
Try cranberry peach. So good they sell it everywhere they have cranberry juice
Definitely a good idea to burp it. I found out the hard way. 1am glass bottle exploded all over. Thanks for the tutorial 😊
Haha yes I found out the hard way too LOL!!!
If you want your drink more beneficial Water kefir loves dry fruits and tne best is aswell to add bit of malt extract it will no need to wait for 24h the next day your kefir will be resdy 😊 i love to do with ginger,lemon,turneric and honey its test anazing and also very healthy 👌
Do you use concentrated grape juice? Thank you for a wonderful video, so very helpful.
I actually don't. I use regular grape juice. But that doesn't mean that you can't use concentrated. :)
Sounds really good think I'd like to try this. How many ounces do you drink? Watching from Alabama. No shirt....Joe. 😉
I usually don’t drink more than a glass a day!😊
Wonderful video. I canned a lot of grape concentrate this year, I think it will be delicious in the keifer. I only have a few tablespoons of grains, does the amount of water and sugar change if it’s less?
Nope you’ll be just fine!☺️
Where are you in Alaska? I visited Klawok (spelling?)’ wonderful! Went fishing caught a king salmon 🍣 largest from all others! )
South Central.☺️
Great video! Making my first batch right now. Once the 2nd fermentation is done I assume I store it in the fridge? How long will it keep in the fridge? Will I have to keep burping it in the fridge? Sorry for all the questions:)
Hello! No worries at all. Yes once it’s done, keep it in the fridge. No need to continue burping & I find it keeps for a week or so in the fridge. Mine never lasts that long tho! 😜
@@HomeFreeAlaska Thank you so much!!
Well, all I know NOW, is to start out slow. I drank two cups of water kefer today and this evening I thought I was going to EXPLODE!!!! OMG, I have NEVER had such bowel pain in my life! The worst GAS pain. I really thought my bowels might rupture. I was rolling on the floor for an hour, trying to relive gas. And let me just get explicit, I never knew that much noise could come out of my body!!! I've learned the hard way! Start with smaller amounts!!!
I just started making my own....
Just did the same as you.
Stopped it but I gave another go after a year.
Starting now with table spoon a day and I am going to increase gradually!!!
Did anyone experience bloating with water kefir and has it gone after some time?
Does it have alcohol?
Can we drink it without making the second fermentation?
17:11 second fermentation
I have been putting a coffee filter over mine for it to breathe but it doesn’t have that much Fizz Now I know why because I have to close it up or it can’t get the air and just release the air a little the next day thanks for sharing
Yes that’s why I love these little kids I got on Amazon, they’re open just enough to ensure that not too much pressure builds up but also doesn’t let all the air out! 😊
Can you use simple syrups for the second ferment flavoring?
I'm not sure Meg, never tried it. :)
I cant seem to figure out where your starter was purchased. Thanks!
Hi friend, I have the link in the video description of my video but I just went to it and it looks like the seller took their page down but don’t worry, you can buy kefir grains right on Amazon! I’ve bought them from reputable sellers on Amazon & had great success with the grains! Hope that helps!☺️
I need to know a clear recipe to know how much sugar content is left in the final product. A can is 330 ML or 11.15 Ounces, how much sugar content is there in this amount? Does anyone know?
So the brown sugar does it need to be organic or cane sugar or whatever I can find in the store? Thx
Just regular ol’ brown sugar you find at the store will do! 😊
@@HomeFreeAlaska awesome, many thanks
What are other kefir grains other that the diary variants? By what name these non-dairy are called? Light Browned ones
These are water kefir grains.😊
I’ve had my grains for about 5 days now. They were the live grains, sealed in the mail. I’ve been doing the feeding. The grains are growing but no carbonation. I’ve been advised they may not be warm enough. Do you have any tips?
I agree, they’re not warm enough. Try to find a “warmer” room to keep them in, laundry room, hot water heater room etc. Once they’re mature they should be able to be kept in a bit of a cooler room but when they’re first starting out, they need a little help.😊
@@HomeFreeAlaska thank you so much for answering; I will find somewhere warmer.
What is the purpose of adding salt ? I’m new to water kefir
The salt contains minerals that the kefir grains feed on. It makes them healthier.😊
I guess I’ve been doing it wrong that’s why it doesn’t have much fizz
Could you use the kefir jar lid for this process as well?
Yep!😊
@@HomeFreeAlaska thank you.
I don't know if anyone can answer this: Can you feed water Kerfir on the Original Energy drink Lucozade? Lucozade is full of sugar and it is a carbonated clear fizzy drink. I was recently given a box of Lucozade and I don't want to drink it because each bottle contains 17 grams of sugar.
Hi there! Too be honest, I have no idea...I've never even heard of Lucozade. Have you tried googling it? Sorry I can't be of much help with that question! Thank you for watching my video! :)
@@HomeFreeAlaska Lucozade seems to be very popular in the UK. After doing a bit more research, I think it might kill my water kefir grains. I think I will stick to organic sugar to feed my kefir grains, and thanks for replying to my question.
I recently got my kefir grains from Cultures for Health. I left my qt. jar on the counter for two days. but the water is still sweet. I thought they were supposed to eat the sugar and end up sour. This is only the second batch but I'm not sure if they're working. There's only a little fizz.
Hi! Mine are always sweet not sour.
@@HomeFreeAlaska I wish I'd known that. I left them in the jar and now they're just mushy. I rinsed them and may try to see if I can salvage them. They look less like individual bigger grains and are much smaller.
@@maggiewilliams3241 I think they’ll come back! They’re resilient little grains especially from Cultures for Health. They’re just hungry lol. Just start over & do the ratio that I share in this video & they’ll come back! May have to feed them twice to get them good and strong…just try it once and see how they are. If they’re still looking weak, do it again. I always find that they prefer dark brown sugar over light brown sugar too. Not sure what you’re using. 😊
@@HomeFreeAlaska I watched your video again and fed then strained them. I do see some bubbles so I was glad. I poured the liquid into a glass bottle like yours and added a few frozen cranberries. You mentioned letting your ferment in 24 hours before doing the second ferment. Some recommend 48 hours. What's the difference. Also, have to tried using coconut water instead of sugar or in combination with a lesser amount of sugar. I want to try that for a probiotic drink with electolytes.
@@maggiewilliams3241 hey! Oh! Frozen cranberries sounds delicious. You can try anything with your grains as long as it’s not something that will harm them. I’ve never tried coconut water. As far as how long to ferment…the only difference is how carbonated (active) you want your kefir to be. I always do a total of 48 hrs & it gives mine just the right amount of fizz. 😊 My son calls it our “healthy soda.” Lol. Just make sure you’re burping the jar so it doesn’t erupt when you open it!
Also, another thing I wanted to mention…sometimes the type of water you’re using can affect your grains. Some have mentioned plain city tap water makes their grains weak because of the chemicals etc., that are added to treat tap water.
We live on a well here, so we don’t have that problem.
But…if you think that may be causing yours to not do so well, you can either boil your water first & allow it to cool
Before adding it to your grains, or buy distilled water for your kefir making. (Make sure you don’t add HOT water to the grains!)
This may not be a problem for you at all but I wanted to mention it just in case since you said they weren’t doing so good before! Good luck, hope this batch is delicious! 😊🙏🏻
So the kefir in the first ferment won't be bubbly or foamy? That makes me feel better because i thought i did something wrong haha
Correct.😊
Wondering why I don't get the same carbonation as you guys... I leave the Kefir Grains for 48 hours and do a second ferment for another 48 hours and still nothing but there is a difference in taste though... Maybe my Kefir grains are not that active yet...
Hi Jon! Could be a couple things. Could be that your kefir grains need a bit more time to mature. But I usually find that it’s the type of sugar being used. They don’t really like refined sugar. Are you using a darker sugar like I did in the video? Also, they do really well with added minerals which is why I always put a pinch of a good sea salt in there. 😊
@@HomeFreeAlaska Thanks for replying... Yes, I use dark brown sugar and pinch of pink himalayan salt... I don't use white sugar... perhaps, really comes to the Kefir Grains... Would keep try making it but as of the moment, only few bubbles. I even tried putting 10 grams sugar in the second fermentation. One thing though, I usually burp them every 12 hours because I am using a bottle.
How to know when the first fermentation is complete
If you tap the jar or give it a gentle wiggle, you should see some bubbles!☺️
How much kefir water should we drink per day
I usually just have 1 glass a day. But drinking more won’t hurt you! 😊
@@HomeFreeAlaska thank you 🤗
My recipes call for organic cane sugar and never used salt,what does the salt do
The salt gives the grains minerals that they need and thrive with!☺️
What’s the salt for? I had never seen anyone add salt
Minerals. The grains need it. Makes for healthier grains.☺️
What the salt for?
The salt has minerals & nutrients in it that are really good for your kefir grains. It helps them stay healthier. 😊
Hi, how are you able to have your spreadshop on your YT channel?
Hello, if you google RUclips merchandise, it’ll explain the requirements to you & how to set it up. You have to have a certain amount of subscribers before you can activate the “store” tab on your RUclips home page I believe.☺️
@@HomeFreeAlaska Thank you
How do I know if my grains are dead??...no carbonation??... or??
Hi Nean. Yes, if you try to ferment a batch & it doesn’t work they may be dead. But it could also be that they’re young and need time to mature. Also, use a dark sugar (brown sugar) to feed them, they tend to like that better than refined. Also make sure to add a pinch of a good sea salt in there as it’s loaded with good minerals that will keep your kefir healthy & happy. This will help your carbonation. 😊
@@HomeFreeAlaska Thank You!
He we have looked and looked for links on where you buy your kefir grains but cannot find any
Any chance you could sent me the link here on my comment
Thank you
Jim
That email they list for me doesn't work hasn't ever since that set it up for me
Hi Jim! I listed where I got my kefir grains in the video description of the video. But if you can’t find it, you can go right on Amazon and buy organic kefir grains. I’ve bought them there before too.☺️
@@HomeFreeAlaska thank you
What is the purpose of salt?
It gives the kefir much needed minerals that it needs to thrive.☺️
@@HomeFreeAlaska
thanks for you answer!
I use molasses in mine-bc it contains vitamin B6 and several dietary minerals, including manganese, magnesium, iron, potassium and calcium 👍
😂 a shirtless husband can throw you for a loop 😂
Haha I know right?! 🤣🤣
Have you found any health benefits to drinking the kefir water? :) is it good for digestion?
Digestion is one of the number one things that kefir water supports. If you just google benefits of kefir water, there’s a bunch!😊
@@HomeFreeAlaska thank you ☺
Why did you pour the kefir water down the drain?
If I have allowed my grains to sit for too long without feeding…I personally don’t like the flavor of the kefir. So if I’m making a fresh batch of kefir water & it’s been a while since I fed them, I pour it out. You can drink it, it’s perfectly fine to drink, I just don’t like it. I like it freshly made.😊
@@HomeFreeAlaska thank you.
So.. basically you drink a lot of sugar.
In one glass of kefir water-you’re drinking about 3-5 grams of sugar. About what you would get out of an apple. Far better than the 50-65 grams you’d drink from a soda!🤷🏼♀️😉
At least he wasn't totally naked.