Kefir

Have you ever tried a kefir drink? There are loads of the on the shelves at the market and with all sorts of flavors to choose from. I have bought a couple jugs before and was seriously unimpressed. "Yuck", to be exact! Well did you know that kefir is extremely easy to make in your own home? It is much more economical making your own as well.

The first step to making your own kefir (Pronounced: keh f é-er [as in keh in kettle, and fear].) is obtaining your kefir grains. This could possibly be the hardest step. My grains came from a friend, who has been making kefir for a very long time. With time your kefir grains will start growing and you too can share your grains with a friend. Assuming you do not have a friend with kefir grains, then I can recommend a couple of options. First you can buy some off of ebay. Very simple just go on and search for kefir grains, there will be lots to choose from. Next there are several websites where people are selling their grains:http://www.pocketsofthefuture.com/ their site is just one example. Also be sure to read through Dom's Kefir site http://users.sa.chariot.net.au/~dna/kefirpage.html to get ALL the information on kefir.

Now that you have your grains you are ready to get started. Kefir grains should be placed into a glass (or plastic...sigh!) jar. Then simply add your milk (I use raw milk, next best would be store bought organic, followed by regular milk)adding enough for you to drink over the next few days. Set the jar with its lid on only slightly, so gas can escape, on a counter for about twelve hours. Your grains are working its magic and creating you a delicious healthy drink. It will taste effervescent and its sourness will range from mild to extreme depending on how long you leave your kefir on the counter. I prefer mine not very sour so I leave it only twelve hours.

Once your twelve hours is up simple strain the grains out and place them into another jar filled with the milk you will use once your current kefir runs out. I use a hand blender to blend my kefir, because during the fermentation process your milk will separate. Just keep the two jars rotating and you will always have fresh homemade kefir at your hands!