Forget kale and nut butters: fermented foods are the one big health trend we’ll all be spooning into our diet this year, and the one that’s causing a particular buzz is kefir – a cultured milk drink with a slightly sour taste and a whole host of potential health benefits. Understanding what kefir is and even if its worth making at home or opting for products such as Sainsbury’s or Waitrose kefir milk can help you get the best from this probiotic drink.

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What is kefir?

Organic probiotic milk kefir grains are taking the health world by storm.
Organic probiotic milk kefir grains are taking the health world by storm.

Hailing from northern Caucasus Mountains, kefir dates back many centuries to when shepherds in the mountainous region would carry milk stored in leather pouches, which would would ferment into fizzy sour yogurt.

These days, the trendy drink is made in a slightly more sanitary way – by adding kefir grains to cow’s milk in a jar and leaving it to ferment at room temperature for around 24 hours. The grains are not actually traditional grains, but are small jelly-like beads containing a variety of bacteria and yeasts.

After the fermentation process, the grains are strained and added to a fresh jar of milk to be reused for a new batch. The strained kefir, meanwhile, is ready to be bottled and drunk.

What are the health benefits?

The reason kefir has recently become so popular is down to the ‘good bacteria’ it contains. Much like yogurt, studies have found that the microorganisms in the fermented milk can help with gastrointestinal issues. Kefir grains contain around 30 strains of beneficial bacteria, a major strain being lactobacillales – or lactic acid bacteria (LAB).

One study found that Lactobacillus kefiri, a LAB unique to kefir, can stop the growth of harmful bacteria such as salmonella, h-pylori and e-coli. Some people also find that it improves their digestion, as the probiotic content can help to restore balance in the gut. However, those with IBS are advised to consult with a GP before trying it as it can make symptoms worse.

Traditional kefir made from cow’s milk is also a good source of dietary calcium and vitamin K too, which are both important for bone health.

Inflammation is involved in a number of issues ranging from the bowels to the joints. Some studies have found that probiotics can have an anti-inflammatory effect, although researchers have concluded that more research needs to be done into the specific effects of kefir itself.

Looking for the health benefits of milk, but dairy intolerant? Know your soy latte from your almond flat white, with our guide to dairy-free, plant-based ‘milks’, including how to use and freeze, and nutritional values.

Where to buy?

How to make kefir at home and what is kefir
Kefir is a probiotic drink that is fermented and claims to have a range of positive health benefits.

So where can you try it? Kefir used to be the sort of thing you’d have to hunt down in a health food shop, but it’s going mainstream as people are waking up to the potential health benefits.

You can now pick it up in plenty of high street supermarkets such as Waitrose and Sainsbury’s in a variety of forms, including yoghut and milk drinks. In fact, Marks and Spencer are stocking a range of grab-and-go products in department stores nationwide, including a regular kefir drink, £2.50 for 500ml, and a cherry flavoured kefir drink, £2.50 for 500ml. For some, having additional flavouring is welcome as it can be an acquired taste.

As kefir is a fermented product, it can make you pretty ill if it isn’t made correctly. Although there are recipes floating about online, we advise buying kefir from a reputable source and taking care to follow the storage instructions, rather than attempting to whip it up in the kitchen.

For those who are not used to probiotics, it’s a wise to start with a small amount and see how it sits with your stomach, as some people find that it can cause bloating, constipation or diarrhoea. Medical professionals advise that if you have a compromised immune system, you should always speak to your doctor before taking any probiotics.

How to make kefir at home

However, if you do want to learn how to make kefir at home, we’ve included a recipe guide below that uses pasteurised milk. Remember to always follow the advice included with kefir milk grains to active them, and ideally stick to shop-bought kefir to lower the risk of any illness or unpleasant effects.

How to make kefir recipe
How to make kefir recipe
How to make kefir recipe
Print Recipe
Nutrition Facts
Milk Kefir
Amount Per Serving
Calories 289 Calories from Fat 135
% Daily Value*
Fat 15g23%
Saturated Fat 9g56%
Cholesterol 47mg16%
Sodium 203mg9%
Potassium 625mg18%
Carbohydrates 23g8%
Sugar 24g27%
Protein 15g30%
Vitamin A 767IU15%
Calcium 535mg54%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Milk Kefir

Learn how to make kefir if you prefer a homemade approach compared to buying kefir in shops.
Prep Time30 minutes
Culture time1 day
Total Time1 day 30 minutes
Course: Drinks
Servings: 1 pint
Calories: 289kcal

Equipment

  • Large glass jar
  • Breathable cover for the jar, such as paper towels, butter muslin or coffee filter
  • Rubber band to secure the cover to the opening of the jar
  • Mesh plastic strainer - used to remove kefir grains
  • Wooden or plastic stirring utensil

Ingredients

  • 1-2 tsp Milk kefir grains
  • 1 pint goat or cow milk pasteurised

Method

  • Place the active kefir grains into the milk, and no more than one pint of milk and pour into the jar
  • Cover the glass jar containing the milk, and secure tightly with the rubber band
  • You'll need to place to jar in a warm position to activate the culture. Ideally, place in a room with a temperature between 20-30 degrees centigrade.
  • Leave in place for up to 24 hours, and until the milk has become slightly thickened and the aroma is pleasant to smell. Depending on ambient temperature, this can take less than 24 hours so keep an eye on the jar during this time.
  • Using the mesh plastic strainer, remove the grains from the thickened milk culture. You can place these grains into a fresh jar of milk to continue the process of creating more homemade kefir. You can continue this process for around three to four weeks before resting the kefir grains by refrigerating them or drying them out.
  • With the kefir culture complete, store the finished homemade kefir in the fridge and consume with 24-48 hours.

Notes

This recipe uses the traditional milk kefir grains as the starter culture, which are often rehydrated. Other approaches make use of a powered culture. You'll need to follow any instructions with your kefir grains on how to active them ready for use with this recipe.
This recipe uses pasturised milk. While raw milk is a popular element of kefir, this can lead to illness, especially people with lowered immune systems. If you are using raw milk, it's recommended that you activate the milk kefir grains in pasturised milk first before moving them to the raw milk.

Removing grains

Removing the milk kefir grains can be difficult, especially with over thickened kefir milk.
  • Use a plastic mesh strainer, with a wooden spoon or plastic spatula to help work the kefir through the strainer.
  • Use a shallow bowl that is made of non-reactive metal, such as a plastic bowl, and pour the thickened milk culture from the jar into the bowl. This can help make the grains more visible and easier to spot and remove.
  • Clean hands before removing grains. Don't use any soap when cleaning hands – just warm water – to avoid any contamination of the culture.

Nutrition

Calories: 289kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 47mg | Sodium: 203mg | Potassium: 625mg | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 767IU | Calcium: 535mg

Best-selling kefir products

Stuck for inspiration? Check out our list of best-selling Amazon products!

Bestseller No. 1
Live Kefir Company, Live Milk Kefir Grains. UK Starter Culture, Complete with Instructions. 5g
1,659 Reviews
Live Kefir Company, Live Milk Kefir Grains. UK Starter Culture, Complete with Instructions. 5g
  • Quality assured, highest quality milk kefir grains, no additives, GMO free
  • Lovingly handmade in the UK to create the best live active bacteria on the planet, producing billions of live active bacteria per 100ml of kefir milk.
  • Gut health is essential, our kefir grains are the best starter culture which provides your body with high levels of live active bacteria and vitamins
Bestseller No. 2
Milk Kefir Starter Cultures - 3 sachets for up to 100 liters of Kefir
1,268 Reviews
Milk Kefir Starter Cultures - 3 sachets for up to 100 liters of Kefir
  • Make up to 100 litres of Kefir
  • Contains 7 strains of bacteria and yeasts
  • Easy to Make; no boiling of milk and can be set at room temperature
Bestseller No. 3
Nexba Naturally Sugar Free Strawberry & Peach Kefir Kombucha, 330 ml Sleek Can (Pack of 12)
  • 100% GREAT TASTE - Succulent strawberries and punchy peach make the perfect addition to smoothies, salad dressings and even homemade ice-cream. Nexba Kefir is the real deal
  • 100% GUT FRIENDLY - Each can contains 500 million of our best-in-the-business cultures, specially built to survive the journey from mouth to gut
  • 100% NATURALLY SUGAR -FREE - Sweetened with our 'GOOD SWEET' natural sweetener, made with 100% natural plant based ingredients and nothing artificial
Bestseller No. 4
10g of Kombuchaorganic® Live Certified Organic RAW MILK KEFIR Grains - Grass Fed Cow's MILK Kefir...
  • We provide you with 10g of fresh milk kefir grains
  • Please note, these are real live natural kefir grains and are Micro-biologically tested for safety
  • Organic Certified by OF&G Organic Farmers and Growers. Includes full paper instructions
Bestseller No. 5
Live Milk Kefir Grains to make kefir milk drink
  • Make your own tasty probiotic drinks - instructions and support provided.
  • A generous heaped measuring teaspoon of milk kefir grains grown in certified organic milk. One teaspoon will ferment 1 cup (250ml) of milk every 24 hours.
  • These are live grains which have never been dehydrated or frozen, they can be continually re-used so you should never need to buy more.

Last update on 2024-02-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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