Organic, Dried Milk Kefir Grains (3g)

What is Milk Kefir?

Milk kefir (pronounced “keh-FEER”) is a tangy,  probiotic-rich, fermented dairy beverage made from the milk of cows, goats, or sheep. This traditional, centuries-old drink is a wonderful source of beneficial bacteria and yeasts which help maintain a healthy digestive system.

Milk kefir can have as many as 2.4 trillion CFUs (colony-forming units) of living and diverse bacteria in a one-cup serving. (Conventional probiotic supplements just don’t compare!)

It tastes a lot like yoghurt due to the high amounts of lactobacillus bacteria. Like yoghurt, the lactose is broken down by the lactic acid produced during fermentation, making it easily digestible even for those with lactose intolerance. Unlike yoghurt, you don’t need to heat and cool the milk and keep it at a certain temperature while fermenting – just add the grains to cold milk and leave it on the bench at room temperature for a day or so to do its thing. 

It’s important to slowly introduce kefir to your diet (start with 1 teaspoon and work up to 1 cup per day) because the high concentration of beneficial bacteria can cause detox symptoms as they clear pathogens from the digestive tract. 

How Is It Made?

Milk kefir is fermented at room temperature, usually overnight, by adding probiotic kefir grains to milk. The grains resemble creamy rice or cauliflower when active. When added to milk, they create a symbiotic culture of lactic acid-producing bacteria and yeast within a matrix of protective proteins and polysaccharides.

The result? A mildly sour, effervescent drink with subtle alcoholic undertones (usually around 1-2% alcohol by volume, though often lower) and a flavor like drinkable yogurt. The fermentation time is influenced by factors like grain-to-milk ratio and ambient temperature, and can be tailored to personal preference. For example, longer fermentation time (or more grains/less milk) intensifies carbonation and alcohol content, while less fermentation time (or less grains/more milk) creates a mild, milky yoghurt-flavoured drink. Adjust the fermenting time and amount of grains used to suit your taste!

Can I Drink Milk Kefir If Lactose Intolerant?

Even if you have lactose intolerance, kefir should be perfectly suitable for you. In fact, it may enable you to consume lactose without discomfort! During fermentation, the microbes within kefir grains break lactose found in milk down into lactic acid. The lactic acid helps preserve kefir and keep it from spoiling, and also makes the drink suitable for people with lactose intolerance. Bacteria called Propionibacteria convert some of the lactic acid into propionic acid, too, which can help reduce inflammation in your gastrointestinal (GI) tract. (Just remember to start slowly!)

How to Use Milk Kefir

Enjoy milk kefir straight from the fermentation jar, blend it into refreshing fruit smoothies, or experiment with creative ingredient combinations in second ferments. For those hesitant to try milk kefir, mix a little into natural yoghurt and sweeten with honey and fruit, gradually increasing the amount of kefir over time. Find more tips for making and using milk kefir here.

Share with Your Friends!

With each batch, healthy kefir grains reproduce, allowing you to share the joy of homemade kefir with friends and family! 

Experience the wholesome goodness and centuries-old craftsmanship of milk kefir, a versatile and nourishing addition to your daily routine.

Potential Health Benefits

• Decreased Inflammation and Faster Healing
• Improved Digestion and Better Gut Health
• Antimicrobial Activity
• Balanced Neurotransmitters and Enhanced Brain Function
• A Healthier Heart and Cardiovascular System
• Faster Metabolism and Easier Weight Loss

LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF MILK KEFIR

How to Rehydrate Milk Kefir Grains?

See this page for how to rehydrate your milk kefir grains. (There is also a QR code on the packet you can scan to go to this page.)

What You Need to Make Milk Kefir

• Milk kefir grains (rehydrated and ready to go – see this page for how to rehydrate)
• A non-reactive container (preferably glass but can use food-grade ceramic, food-grade stainless steel or food-grade plastic) – the Kefirko Jar is specially designed for kefir making, or you can use a large jar with a screw top lid 
• Milk of your choice (ideally organic, grass-fed, non-homogenised and full-fat, or even raw and unpasteurised)
• A room with temp between 18C – 28C
• About 24 hours

Find full instructions for making Milk Kefir in my Simple, Healing Food cookbook, or on this page (scroll down).

Storage of Milk Kefir Grains

When you want to pause your kefir making, you can store grains in the refrigerator covered in milk for up to 2 weeks. If you need to store them for longer, just add more milk than usual to your grains, then store the jar in a cold corner of your fridge. Because cold slows down the fermentation process, your grains won’t run out of lactose or other nutrients for weeks or even months.