kefir on youtube

just curious- why would you use suagr in kefir at all? As a long time kefir maker, I've never added sweetener while culturing. Good luck! It's the easiest thing in the world- I didn't watch the videos, but can't imagine there's much to see- all you do is pour milk over grains & let it sit on the counter. And FYI- the culturing process digests the lactose in the milk, so there is very little lactose in kefir itself, similar to yogurt.

Hi ItsAlwaysSomething,

I have to agree with EvaLou...I make kefir every day (had purchased dried grains originally and followed the directions to rehydrate them, but I wasn't very successful until a member on here shipped me a starter portion of her grains to play with)...

I am also lactose intolerant since UC--cannot drink milk at all! So I was afraid to try the kefir. I also wanted to do soy milk, almond milk, coconut milk...the bottom line is that my kefir comes out best with organic whole cow's milk or organic whole goat's milk. I have tried the other milks, and it just doesn't produce the same...but I have to say that I have no bad effects from the lactose. As EvaLou said, the kefir grains consume virtually all the lactose during the process, leaving me to consume what amounts to virtually no lactose at all.

It's stupid easy, too...glass jar, plastic lid, kefir grains, add milk, set in cabinet (or counter, or wherever)...24 hours later I strain the kefir off the grains, store in the fridge for the next morning, and reset my grains for the next batch!

Have watched lots of vids and read lots of websites about making kefir, and haven't come across one that talks about adding sugar/stevia to the kefir grains. Maybe they meant afterwards, as a way to make the kefir more palatable? Plain kefir is a bit unpleasant tasting (to me) at first; I use my kefir as a protein smoothie base. I add a vanilla whey protein powder, banana, some amino acid powders, and whatever frozen fruit we have (usually strawberries, blueberries, or peaches.) Have been doing this every morning for a few months now and am really enjoying it!

Good luck! There are some kefir experts on this site, and they helped me get started!

Ta,
Lisa

Thanks for the info Lisa and Eva Lou

I'll give your suggestions a try.

Pat