Water Kefir & Kefir Soda Tutorial

Did you know that your body contains 10x more bacteria cells than it does human ones? This bacteria is the "good" kind and most of it lives in your digestive system. Keeping this bacteria balanced and happy is one of the main components for maintaining good health and a disease free body. Hippocrates said that "All disease begins in the gut". 

In order to have a healthy gut, it must be flourishing with good bacteria. In order for this to occur, we must be feeding it probiotic rich foods and beverages. One of my absolute favorite ways of doing this is through making and drinking water kefir & kefir soda, which you can make at home using water kefir grains.

Water kefir grains are not really grains, but a colony of beneficial bacteria and yeast existing in a symbiotic relationship. They create probiotics and enzymes as they break down the sugar you feed them. This in turn creates a carbonated lacto-fermented beverage which you can drink straight or ferment for a second time with fruit juice or coconut water, which turns it in to a bubbly kefir "soda". The result is a deliciously fizzy and fruity health drink! 

Water kefir grains are incredibly easy to use and a new batch of water kefir can be created every 24-48 hours from the grains. My family and I love experimenting with all different types of flavors for our bubbly kefir soda and encourage everyone to give it a try. Safe for kids and pregnant mama, this is an easy, fun and extremely healthy activity for all to enjoy!

You can buy dehydrated water kefir grains online but I always recommend getting them through someone you know, if possible. I also occasionally have them for sale on Instagram! 

Once you get your grains, here's how to proceed:

ACTIVATING DEHYDRATED WATER KEFIR GRAINS

1. Heat 4 cups water.
2. Pour into glass jar.
3. Dissolve 1⁄4 cup cane sugar in the water.
4. Cool to room temperature.
5. Empty bag of dehydrated water kefir grains into cooled sugar water.
6. Cover with a coffee filter or cloth secured by a rubber band.
7. Keep at room temperature for 3-5 days.
8. After 5 days grains should be plump and translucent. They are now ready to make water kefir. Strain the sugar water off and discard it.


MAKING WATER KEFIR & KEFIR SODA

1. Heat 4 cups water. To make larger batches, use up to 8 cups water.
2. Pour into glass jar.
3. Dissolve 1⁄4 cup cane sugar per quart (4 cups) of water.
4. Cool to room temperature. Add water kefir grains.
6. Cover with a coffee filter or paper towel secured by a rubber band
7. Keep at room temperature for 24-48 hours.
8. After culturing is complete, prepare a new batch of sugar water, (steps 1-4 above).
9. Use a strainer to separate kefir grains from the finished water kefir.
10. Place kefir grains in the new batch of sugar water.
11. The finished water kefir is now ready to consume or flavor and carbonate through a second ferment. To do this, simply use a mason jar or flip top bottle. Add 1 part fruit juice for every 3 parts kefir water. Apple juice is a great basic. We also enjoy strawberry, cranberry, any berry really :), ginger & lemon and watermelon. So many options to play with! Cover and leave on the counter for 3 days then refrigerate and consume within one week.

Have fun and don't be afraid to experiment with your flavors! Hope you all enjoy this delicious and nourishing beverage. With love from the hive!