Podcast Episode 227: How to Make Winter Kefir

Winter kefir is different than summer kefir due to the temperatures cooling. It is my favorite kefir since it's extra creamy. Check out the podcast to learn more tips and tricks!
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❤Donna❤

[@debdees7182]

I’ve been making kefir with cows milk that is A2 protein instead of A1. I haven’t been able to drink milk in my adulthood or drink store bought kefir more than 2 or 3 times a week. I now have 2 - 3 cups daily. It certainly helps keep the heartburn away.

[@LindaLee375]

Hello Donna, I was recently diagnosed with IBS which has gradually gotten worse, especially since a c-diff infection in 1998. I'm 72 years old. I've been making easy kefir and I'm on my second packet and hoping for better gut health and health in general (fighting bronchitis right now). I'm in Kansas City and our house gets down to 60 at night so I appreciate these tips and all the help you give.

[@hellokdonn]

Hi! ❤ Dr Davis book super gut will show you what strains to make for the desired result. Keep up on the kefir but also consider making l-sherota yogurt and L-Reuteri. You are in the right place! 🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@faithopeloveful]

@@hellokdonn I am wondering where to get the l-sherota? I am in Canada and it took almost a month for me to get the l-reuteri. I also get lung issues and am struggling right now. Thank-you!

[@hellokdonn]

@@faithopeloveful Hi Laurie! Dr. Davis suggests "not sure where another source might be found) in the dairy section of most grocers. They are little bottles of a Japanese probiotic Sherota called Yakult. They are little drinkable probiotic individual cups. I think they come in a row of 5. One of these cups with the 2Tb of the prebio/potato fiber per quart jar and blend together with zero lumps with half and half. I think it goes at 109 degrees for 36 hours.

[@JockNmystyle-]

This stuff saved me. I had bad UC and went on shakes only with kefir, blueberries a teaspoon honey and healing powder from my doctor (amino acids and some other things). It's amazing how it pulled me out of bleeding and weight loss. I encourage you to try this stuff.

[@eljay5623]

I use a trick to create a warm space for my kefir if my house gets too cool. I turn the oven LIGHT on, place my kefir jar inside, and prop the oven door open about an inch or two. The oven light alone will gently warm the oven to about 75-77°. Do not allow the oven door to close, because the temperature can rise into the 90s. I keep a digital room thermometer next to the jar and keep an eye on it. Do not, in any circumstance, turn the oven on, not even at lowest possible setting. Just use the oven LIGHT. Before trying this, use the digital room thermometer to test your oven light and know how much you have to prop your door open. And test again when you get a new oven. I make a quart of kefir every day. In winter I keep my cultures to 1-2 tablespoons; in summer, 1-2 teaspoons. I gauge when its time to let the cultures grow or take some out by how much whey is in the kefir at 24 hrs. When my cultures exceed my need, I throw the extra in my daily smoothie.

[@wayneyork8279]

I really enjoy hearing what you have learned over time , I have started making kefir successfully and want to say Thanks ! :)

[@catebessencourt2137]

Thank you ! I live in California and it’s been colder than usual so my kefir has been taking longer to ferment. I thought my grains were dying 😢. Happy to know it’s just the cooler temperature

[@Pammellam]

Your video about using and making kefir really opened my eyes to kefir. I had no idea about its powers. Nor did I know that it continues to live in us after we eat it. I’m going to start making it more often. Thank you for this wonderful video. I live in Japan and I can only find the powdered kefir starter. I might be able to find the kefir grains if I look around. Can you eat the grains??? Uses for kefir and kefir cheese: Helen Rennie in her KZbin channel suggested making Syrniki, a sort of Russian cheese cake like breakfast dish made of a kind of farmers cheese. To do this, she suggested making your own farmers cheese using kefir which she teaches in a KZbin video called “Instant Pot Ricotta and Farmer’s Cheese”. She teaches how to make the “syrniki’ in another video: “Syrniki (a Russian Breakfast all Foreigners Like)”. I have tried to make this myself, Syrniki are wonderful, cheesey like a cheese cake but not that rich or sweet, but by making this, I got into making kefir too. Kefir is so easy to make, I love. I do heat the milk to 30°C/86°F. But you didn’t do that in your videos. Is heating it not necessary??

[@Hoybabe1]

How much milk kefir is ok to drink ever day? I bought my starter grains from your web site. I love it

[@kraff1993]

I feel my best when I drink about a cup a day 8oz Two smoothies one in the morning one at night

[@satcomunication]

Hey Donna, I would love to hear your thoughts on EM-1. I have heard a lot of people getting bennifits from it. Thanks for all your products! Having great results from them!

[@pellyhardin4053]

How long can you keep it in the refrigerator

[@traceyb3231]

I was given grains and I love my kefir BUT unpasteurized milk here is $8 quart. Am I getting any benefit using the regular milk?

[@jumpie2419]

What are your thoughts on kefir baskets?

[@kellysunday7781]

Can you freeze kefir grains?

[@wellnessnow23]

Hi! im confused in 1 video u said 1 tablespoon of kefir use 1 cup of milk, but in this one you said 1 tablespoon of kefir use 2-3 cups of milk? thanks!

[@pellyhardin4053]

How can you tell when it's not good to drink

[@heatherb918]

Hey Donna, Before we left for Thanksgiving travels, I went to pour milk in my kefir and saw after that I poured spoiled milk that had blue mold in it into my grains. They're ruined aren't they?

[@rytham_gallery]

Plz. Ans. What is the maximum time for which water kifer. can be kept and if it is to be kept for one year then what needs to be done for it? Note : My question is for Water kifer and not for kifer grains.

[@parvazahamdwani9448]

Hellp Donna. We have freezing Temperatures at night and just above freezing temperatures during day. How can I make Kefir?

[@M255-n9z]

My coconut water kefir came out thick. Is this to be expected? My grains were really healthy beforehand.

[@fourbees5493]

Can you use milk or water kefir to make a wild yeast starter for making bread.

[@TXDHC]

All you need is water & flour. Fresh ground grain works best. I also always use warm (around 100) water.

[@EastWestKarateGR]

Help please. I’ve just started making kefir and it’s been going great with one exception. I started out with a tablespoon of kefir grains which I purchased. Now a couple of weeks later I only have about a teaspoon of grains. I’m very careful staring my kefir so I’m at a loss. Any advice would be greatly appreciated

[@TXDHC]

I'm going to just take a stab at this. I've been making kefir and ferments for over 15 years. Like most ferments it needs plenty of "food". I'd only try making smaller batches. I let mine go for 48hrs because i like it strong and no lactose. When storing give it plenty of milk to feed on in the fridge. Do you use a sieve to strain it?

[@EastWestKarateGR]

Thanks for helping. I am making 2 cups at a time, using whole grass fed milk. I usually let it ferment for between 24-48 hours. It’s very cool in my house. I strain the kefir with a stainless steel strainer.

[@parvazahamdwani9448]

@@TXDHC Hi, hello. here temperatures are in minus 3 to 4 Celsius at night and 5-6°C at day. How long should I keep it for fermentation?

[@TXDHC]

@@parvazahamdwani9448 I really have no idea. It does need a somewhat warm place. Maybe the top of an appliance. I’d keep out 24 hrs. I learned the longer isn’t always better.

[@hsvmobileac]

Lactose free milks definitely do work with kefir. KZbin has a s-load of videos about making non-diary kefir variations.

[@margeryholdsworth6626]

Are fresh kefir grains gluten free.....

[@melissaweber5197]

They aren’t actual “ grains” that’s just what they are called so yes they are gluten free!

[@TruthCeeker333]

😀🙏

[@dianeodonnell1971]

Can I make bread with kefir?

[@mariannereno8501]

💖👍

[@blackglama1]

Oh good this is a upgrade version. I want to make my own kefir . Hope you can help me .