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Who on here makes their own Kefir?

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Posted 7/15/2010 10:40 PM (GMT 0)
I just started making Kefir. I made my first batch to consume yesterday. I just strained it and I am not sure I can drink that!

What is it supposed to look like? I really want to because I have read it is even better for you than homemade yogurt, but I don't know. I make homemade yogurt and love that, but this chunky liquid stuff that has been sitting out for hours is kind of turning my stomach! Although I haven't even sipped it, just stared at it

Any Kefir words of wisdom? :-) :-)
Posted 7/16/2010 12:28 AM (GMT 0)
Hi,
Please don't be afraid!
It tastes so much better than yogurt. I love it!
How did you get your "curdles"? Maybe it is just the first round...
Posted 7/16/2010 12:33 AM (GMT 0)
Ok, I'll try not to be scared! I got them from a friend and she thought they should work first time because she had just used them. I think it worked correctly because I previously ordered some online and I couldn't get them to wake up, I did a couple rounds and my milk just kept looking like milk. This time it actually curdled and doesn't look just like milk that sat out.

Do you drink yours straight or do you put in smoothies?
Posted 7/16/2010 2:12 AM (GMT 0)
I got mine from my friends as well.
I think that the trick is to get the right proportion between the amount of the kefir curdles and milk. Usually you have not enough grains at the beginning and your milk does not ferment quickly enough. The best routine is a one-day round and you get one or two glasses at night. But these kefir grains grow quickly and soon enough you will be giving them to friends.
I like it straight, because of its slightly sour, natural taste. But do what you like, as long as you don't stop. The general health benefits are said to be extraordinary. I am not using it for any particular disease, but just like it. Maybe I don't belong exactly to this subject, but I tried to post some comments on using supplemental oxygen for autoimmune cirrhosis. Take a look if you like, because it is all about autoimmune problems.
Posted 7/16/2010 11:37 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks! That is why I started because I kept reading how good it is for you. I drank it last night before bed, I blended it with a few frozen peaches. It was really good! I don't know if it is coincidence or not or if it could help that quick, but I slept great last night and my stomach this morning was the best it has been in weeks!

I can definitely see myself getting in the habit of always wanting a glass or 2 every day!
Posted 7/16/2010 2:44 PM (GMT 0)
I make my own also - I use the powder starter for my first batch and then use some from the previous batch to make the next 5 jars or so.

It is quite sour depending on what type of milk you use, I sweeten with stevia liquid (flavors like french vanilla or chocolate flavored are my favs.)

Raw goats milk is my favorite kind of milk to use, but most of the time I just use regular milk.
It also depends on how warm your kitchen (or where ever you are sitting it to ferment) is on how fast it "curdles".

This time of year for me it can take less than 18 hours, where in the winter I struggle with keeping the temp warm enough in the house to sucessfully make it. :)

I love mine with just the stevia sweetend or mixed in with fruit to make a smoothie.
Posted 7/17/2010 3:12 PM (GMT 0)
I know a great trick, if you made too much kefir, or if you are not in the mood for it at the moment.
Do you like cottage cheese? If you do, you can make it yourself without loosing the health benefits of your kefir. When ready, just put it in a freezer in a plastic container (e.g. a yogurt container). Take it out when frozen (solid) and put it on a strainer with very small holes. Wait until it thaws and the whey drops away. It really makes a fantastic cottage cheese - free of artificial additives. You can actually do the same with plain, natural yogurt.
Would you like to try it? Please let me know if you liked it!
Posted 7/17/2010 3:44 PM (GMT 0)
FYI...there are some pretty good videos on youtube showing specifics of how to make kefir and what it should look like! Simply search something like "make kefir".

Here's one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDx8EwxMluM
Posted 7/17/2010 8:07 PM (GMT 0)
what is Kefir?never heard of it
Posted 7/17/2010 8:49 PM (GMT 0)
Kefir is a fermented milk drink. It has more probiotics than yogurt and is known to have great health benefits. Here is a link with a pretty good definition of Kefir.
http://www.organicden.com/kefir-healthiest-probiotic-milk-beverage-in-the-world/


I just started making my own from milk kefir grains on Wednesday. It is amazing how much better my stomach already is. I have always responded well to probiotics, but felt like I needed more than yogurt or supplements could give me. I have drank Kefir twice a day the last 3 days and ate an extra grain and my tummy is the best it has been in weeks. I am hopeful that the improvements keep coming.
Posted 7/19/2010 9:03 PM (GMT 0)
How are you today? Please, don't be discouraged if you experience ups and downs!
Keep going! It is a long term undertaking...
Posted 7/19/2010 10:53 PM (GMT 0)
Things are still going well, I still feel better and think it is having a very positive effect on my health.

My problem is right now I don't think my kefir is coming out as well the last couple days. The last 2 days it has seemed not as thick as it was before and more sour and acidic. Not sure if this is more how it should taste or not. My first batches were a little sweeter and thicker, now it doesn't seem as thick and grains float right to the top and it seems much more sour. I tried adding more milk since my grains have grown some, but I don't think that helped my batch this morning still tasted pretty sour.

Any tips or suggestions? I definitely liked how my batches from Wed - Saturday tasted as opposed to my batches from Sun and Monday.
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