How to make homemade WATER KEFIR
This refreshing and probiotic-rich drink is a delicious addition to any diet. Experiment with different flavors and find your perfect combination
Equipment
- Wide-mouth glass jar: 1 quart or larger I use a half gallon jar
- Cheesecloth or fine-mesh sieve
- Flip-top Bottles
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Water Kefir Grains alive and awake
- 8 cup Filtered Water
- 1/2 cup Brown sugar This will be consumed by the kefir grains and will not be in your finished product!
- 1 - 1.5 cup Fruit juice pick whatever juice your family loves.
Instructions
- Check your Kefir grain instructions, you will most likely need to prep them before your first batch.
- Prepare the sugar Solution: Dissolve the sugar in about 2 cups of hot water. You can do this on the stove, in the microwave, or with a hot water tap from a water dispenser if you have it. Once it has cooled slightly, pour it into your clean jar and fill the rest of the way with cool water.
- **Suggestion: Give this a taste so you can be aware of the sweetness and taste. It will help you determine the level of fermentation later on.
- Add Kefir Grains: Be sure your water is not hot or you will kill your grains. Gently add the kefir grains to the sweetened water.
- Cover and Ferment: Cover the jar with a breathable cloth (like cheesecloth secured with a rubber band) or just loosely place the lid onto the jar. This allows for gas release while preventing contamination. Place into an area that isnt too hot or too cold and is away from sunlight.
- First Fermentation: Allow the mixture to ferment at room temperature (68-77°F) for 24-48 hours, sometimes longer. The ideal fermentation time depends on the temperature and your desired level of tang.
- ** It is ready when it is no longer as sweet as when you started and takes on a tangy taste indicating fermentation has taken place. You will also see bubbles indicating fermentation has taken place.
- Strain: Carefully strain the kefir through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth into another clean jar. Gently squeeze the grains to extract as much liquid as possible.
- Second Fermentation (Optional): I highly recommend this step. For added fizz and flavor, bottle the strained kefir and add desired flavorings or fruit juice. I pour all of the fermented water into a bowl and add 1-1 ½ cups of juice, mix and pour into your flip- top bottles. Cap tightly and allow to carbonate for 12-48 hours at room temperature. Be sure to burp once a day to avoid over-pressurization.
- Refrigerate: Once the kefir is at the flavor and carbonation level you like, refrigerate the kefir to stop fermentation. Once chilled, enjoy!