Kefir Grains - The Ultimate Guide For Kefir Lovers

In this video we'll look at what kefir grains are, how milk kefir grains differ to water kefir grains, and how to care for your kefir grains at home. Plus, we'll even look at whether you can make kefir grains from scratch.
Kefir grains are a bit like the Mariah Carey of the fermented world...they can be absolutely magical, but gee they can also be a bit of work! And if you’ve found yourself struggling to understand them, you’re going to love this video where I answer the Top 16 most asked questions on kefir grains.
Not only will I show you what they actually are and how they work, but I’ll also teach you how to use them the right way. And if you’ve been trying to get your hands on quality grains, stay tuned, as I reveal my favorite place to buy them.
0:00 Kefir Grains - The Ultimate Guide For Kefir Lovers
0:36 What are kefir grains?
1:13 What’s the difference between milk kefir grains and water kefir grains?
2:09 Should I get fresh or dried kefir grains?
2:45 How do you activate kefir grains?
3:45 How does temperature impact kefir grains?
4:18 How much kefir grains do you need to start?
4:36 How do I handle kefir grains?
5:07 How do I reuse kefir grains to make more kefir?
5:31 Do I need to rinse kefir grains?
5:57 How long can you leave kefir grains in milk?
6:32 How do I tell if kefir grains gone bad?
7:08 How do you take a break from kefir grains?
7:45 What do you do with excess kefir grains?
8:43 Can I make kefir without grains?
9:53 Can I make my own kefir grains from scratch?
10:18 Where can I buy kefir grains?
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References:
1. de Oliveira Leite AM, Miguel MA, Peixoto RS, Rosado AS, Silva JT, Paschoalin VM. Microbiological, technological and therapeutic properties of kefir: a natural probiotic beverage. Braz J Microbiol. 2013;44(2):341-349.
2. Lopitz-Otsoa F, Rementeria A, Elguezabal N, Garaizar J. Kefir: a symbiotic yeasts-bacteria community with alleged healthy capabilities. Rev Iberoam Micol. 2006;23:67-74.
3. Rattray FP, O’Connell MJ. Fermented Milks Kefir. In: Fukay JW, editor. Encyclopedia of Dairy Sciences. 2th ed. Academic Press; San Diego, USA: 2011. pp. 518-524.
4. Beatrice Trum Hunter's Fact/Book on Yogurt, Kefir & Other Milk Cultures: 1973.
5. Rosa, D., et al. Milk kefir: nutritional, microbiological and health benefits. Nutrition Research Reviews (2017), 30, 82-96.
6. Bourrie BC, Willing BP, Cotter PD. The Microbiota and Health Promoting Characteristics of the Fermented Beverage Kefir. Front Microbiol. 2016;7:647.
7. Slattery, C., et al. Analysis of Health Benefits Conferred by Lactobacillus Species from Kefir. Nutrients 2019, 11(6), 1252.
8. Farnworth ER. Kefir - a complex probiotic. Food Sci Technol Bull: Functional Foods. 2005;2:1-17.
Disclaimer:
The information in this video is not intended or implied as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images and information, contained in this video is for general information purposes only and does not replace a consultation with your doctor. Please see a physician or other healthcare professional before making any medical or lifestyle changes. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA (U.S. Food & Drug Administration). This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
#kefir #kefirgrains #guthealth

[@EssentialStacks]

0:36 What are kefir grains? 1:13 What’s the difference between milk kefir grains and water kefir grains? 2:09 Should I get fresh or dried kefir grains? 2:45 How do you activate kefir grains? 3:45 How does temperature impact kefir grains? 4:18 How much kefir grains do you need to start? 4:36 How do I handle kefir grains? 5:07 How do I reuse kefir grains to make more kefir? 5:31 Do I need to rinse kefir grains? 5:57 How long can you leave kefir grains in milk? 6:32 How do I tell if kefir grains are dead? 7:08 How do you take a break from kefir grains? 7:45 What do you do with excess kefir grains? 8:43 Can I make kefir without grains? 9:53 Can I make my own kefir grains at home from scratch? 10:18 Where can I buy kefir grains?

[@ThePaparimsky]

Hi, sorry I don’t see the link to where to buy them. Could you please share? Thanks a lot

[@dianakhachaturyan7971]

The same here. I do not see the link on where to buy. Could you post?

[@rickyc.leetong331]

Cant find the link where to buy best kefir grains

[@faithtaylor612]

I don’t find the link on where to buy the milk grains. Thank you for providing it. Nice video!

[@gatica2407]

Hi, loved your video. It’s very informative and I would love to buy some but I think you forgot to put the link 😓can we please get it ? Thank you ! 😊

[@kelsihills3926]

I have recently added water kefir to my daily fermentations and it has been a game changes in my household. My 3yr daughter and her friends just love to drink twice fermented fruit based kefir. It's might not be as beneficial as milk kefir but when dealing with toddlers you have to take the win 😊

[@donnor6551]

Saw ur last vdo is 1 yr ago. Pls come back. We need you here to help in more contents. U r doing amazing

[@laurabrown6601]

I bought my grains via Amazon from Mr and Mrs Kefir. I have had them for over four years and I have split off and shared over a dozen times. Always have extra grains, they are growing and healthy

[@debikoch1120]

Very in depth video. Great job!

[@Kazbah007]

Thank you for your video! And THANK YOU for pronouncing it correctly!!! Yes it's Kefir and not Kifer --- like the most people say it.

[@EssentialStacks]

You are so welcome!

[@sking51]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/b2bKZYdtlr-VqbM

[@AarysGigi]

I really like how you've provided links to your research

[@EssentialStacks]

Our pleasure!

[@pedestrianrights1257]

i love that you used that Cookie Monster devouring a cookie as an analogy to the Kefir grains devouring sugar, super cute.

[@KaliKali-hv9bt]

Most easiest explanation❤

[@caroconga]

Excellent video! Thanks a million! 🙏

[@EssentialStacks]

Glad it was helpful!

[@taylora8845]

I appreciate the fun pop culture references mixed in with the useful info, which makes your videos so fun and fresh compared to others holding on to the more stereotypical "stuffy" style health/wellness type videos. 😎

[@akb811]

Thank you that was really helpful

[@EssentialStacks]

You're welcome!

[@yordi1683]

Thanks ❤

[@EssentialStacks]

You're welcome 😊

[@joanneniekrash-camhi2486]

I loved your video on Kefir. I was hoping you could answer a question. The last couple of batches of kefir that I made there was a pink film on the top of the grains . The batch was definitely over fermented as I let it sit for almost 3 days. Would you happen to know if it’s safe to continue using these grains and to drink the Kefir? Thank you.

[@tanyajones1143]

Wonderful breakdown. Where can I buy the milk kefir please?

[@PhilMorgan303]

Thanks.

[@Nolacarsillo]

Hello there! Thank you so much for the helpful video!! I have had my grains that I bought from an Amish farm in the fridge (tightly sealed) for about 3-4 weeks. They did slightly yellow, and they have a faint smell like yeast. Do you think they are still okay? Thank you so much!

[@morayjames92]

Thank you for this most helpful video. I am looking for a local source of fresh active Kefir grains. While I am searching for some Kefir grains I wanted to ask a question. Can an active Kefir grains be mixed with multi strain probiotic bacteria strains and will the grains take on the bacteria stains and keep producing them on an ongoing basis (assuming there atre strains not previously present in the original Kefir grains? Thanks.

[@ranjanpenkar5511]

Is it necessary to filter the grains and the milk or could we use the whole mass as we do for curds and take a spoonful for the next batch.

[@perrett42]

Hi Richelle, I’ve just started on the kefir journey and have made my first batch . Just one question, I have added some turmeric, cardamom, mango and honey to the final product will this damage the sieved drink or will it be ok to chill and drink later keeping all them good microbes?

[@radieschen79]

I'm using my spare milk kefir grains for making water kefir instead of just throwing them away. The process is exactly the same as with water kefir grains and the finished beverage tastes even the same. Only difference is the milk kefir grains stop growing in the sugar water and have to be replaced regularly after a month or so with new spare grains.

[@lawrencemoss4164]

I just ordered some grains. Would you recommend getting them started with kefir milk or just plain whole organic milk?

[@lisengel2498]

I am interested in avoiding Mikl products but would like to make my own organic non sweetened soyamilk kefir - what kind of kefir do I use for that?

[@Birdylockso]

I have been making milk keifer for years now. One myth is that metal spoons somehow harm them or something. I've always used metal spoon to scoop them out of existing batch and put them in another mug to start a new batch. They've never complained but kept on going as good soldiers do. Tough little guys, I'd say.

[@allthings5358]

Metal interact with lactic acid

[@Birdylockso]

@@allthings5358 Sounds like a theory you've heard people say. Not unlike eating egg yolk will give you heart disease, many "pearls of wisdom" have been debunked, or relegated to negligible effect in reality these days. For example, what is the microgram of what interacting with what to produce what, that is proven to be dangerous, at which level, etc. I am interested in scientific hard data. I would be glad to change my position if enough research papers prove otherwise. Thanks.

[@allthings5358]

@@Birdylockso it is not a theory. Acid does interact with metal

[@Birdylockso]

@@allthings5358 The devil is in the details. How much of which and how? You might as well say, living is dying because it is true also, (our bodies decay just a bit each day). Does it help anyone to say that?

[@allthings5358]

@@Birdylockso oh my gosh… take it easy… if you want to use metal go ahead… geesh… maybe you need to figure out why you are soo angry all the time

[@ClaireBassett-gt2fr]

Is it better to use organic milk or does it not really matter as long as it’s fresh milk? TIA

[@nigelrobinson5991]

Hi, I cannot get whole milk to activate my grains, what other milk can I use? Thank you.

[@michaelmadren51]

Could you please explain in detail activating dried kefir grains. You said increasing amounts of milk over 3 to 7 days but you didn't explain how much

[@michaelmadren51]

I recently added a pack of dried the fair grains to a quart of milk and 24 hours later I strained it but there were no the fear grains left in the strainer. Everything poured through the strainer

[@kilpel2]

New grains will take up to 3 days to ferment. You either dumped them out or they were no good. I never liked the dry ones. The best ones are the nondry.😊

[@Anne--Marie]

Since milk kefir multiplies so quickly, try using a batch of milk kefir as a base for bread. I mix a strained batch of room temperature kefir with 1 tablespoon of yeast, one heaping tablespoon of sugar and one cup of bread flour; stir and let this sponge activate for a few hours. Next add one scant tablespoon of salt and another cup of flour to the sponge and mix well. Then add flour one half cup at a time until the dough forms a ball. Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for five or ten minutes, adding flour as needed. Shape the dough and put it into a greased loaf pan. Let rise until you like the shape and then bake at 365 for about forty minutes. Check it at thirty just to see how it is baking. This recipe will also make two pizza crusts.

[@pattigibbons1331]

Where do I look to get kefir grains

[@margidavy3491]

I live in Queensland in Australia. Can you tell me where I can buy the kefir culture in my country please?

[@gaynor101]

What types of milk is best for making kefir?

[@bobhudson2799]

When the Kefir grains grow big .Is it possible to cut them in small Pieces?

[@user-cc3fi4cb9u]

I can’t find the link to the company that sells a trusted source of milk kefir grains. Can you please leave the link ? Thank you

[@barrygreen7728]

I have grains and have made a drink but it taste acidy is this normal or have they go off? Would adding blueberries and Bananas make them go off?

[@hopehagen9988]

Weres the link were you like to buy your kefir grans

[@ednikdeshaw6608]

Thanks for the good video. I pick up some more tips. My few times making kefir, a learning curve. I use goat milk uht and changed to raw whole milk. The raw milk turns to a thicker in 24 hours fl. When I transfer the milk to a storage and make new batch I don't see too many grains. At first I used plastic strainer which the grains were very few and I thought they slip into storage so I use a metal strainer and this video don't recommend it. Il keep trying

[@kjulia1122]

Can I use organic lactose free milk

[@lionmaster2845]

hello mam! why my milk kefir grains is not growing? what can be done?

[@vladidol2245]

Great video. As I am trying to start making kefir, I was looking for the link you mentioned. But did not find it. Is that because I was searching on the phone? Would you publish the web of your favorite place , where you buy the grains?

[@The1belal]

Excellent tutorial. Thank you very much !

[@EssentialStacks]

You are welcome!

[@Lukee_577]

It’s not in your description ? What is the website ????

[@decentbaba6246]

Your channel is the best for Kefir knowledge! Congrats madam!

[@peggyconway2900]

❤

[@TheINFP_Diary]

if people can consistently make and activate kefir grains, I hope they find out or know that they can use the same process to make sourdough bread, with the activating yeast process (flour and water !)

[@lucky0n3]

Is it just me or is there no link to where to purchase the grains as stated in the video??

[@angelachi2710]

Where to buy kefir grain online?

[@nidhibahl5875]

Where can I buy grains?

[@TinyDancer0315]

Hi, Is making Kefir without grains as healthy as making it with grains? If you bake with Kefir, is the good ingredients killed?

[@billiesheads212]

You can't make kefir without kefir grains.

[@wisdomguy9837]

Can I make kefir grains from my fresh milk?

[@rosamarinadiaz7817]

What is this used? Can it help for the kidneys

[@impuredeath2]

I have question, can I just use Kefir to make kefir instead of keep reusing kefir grain? Will that affect probiotic content? Because place where I live kefir grains are very expensive and dont want to spend so much on grains if I can just keep using my existing kefir to make one. Thank you!

[@YeshuaKingMessiah]

I put about 50-100ml of store kefir in bottom of liter jar and fill rest with whole milk Stir and culture but no straining needed Can use this a few times before need to start again with store kefir

[@marius4161]

How are kefir grains obtained?

[@hoverzhang2684]

Your website does not sell kefir grains anymore. Does that have problem and then not selling? This product was removed from your website. Thanks.

[@EssentialStacks]

Hi Hoverzhang - we've never sold kefir grains before, but we love to research what works and what doesn't in gut health, hence our kefir videos. There is a link in the description (non-affiliate / we have no affiliations with) of the company we found to offer the best kefir grains

[@morayjames92]

is it possible to consume too much kefir per day and disturb your gut or will the gut self regulate the bacteria it wants to have growing there? Thanks.

[@YeshuaKingMessiah]

I wouldn’t drink more than a cup or so daily

[@kathrynvongunten2916]

Cultured food life is the site I got my grains from

[@michaelhargis7036]

If kefir grains are shipped dehydrated or frozen aren't they essentially dead? If you are successful at bringing them back to life are they going to be as potent? I'm currently seeking someone local that can sell me some grains that I can pickup in person. I don't trust the USPS or FedEx to successfully deliver much of anything. Any object. I guess I'll have to take a chance and hope commercial shipment works. Can anyone out there recommend a kefir grain supplier?

[@deadlykitten.5908]

Some of my grains have turned orange. Are they dead?

[@joshwellsethg.satorre7952]

what ideal ages can take kefir?

[@YeshuaKingMessiah]

1 yo to death I don’t give my babies milk as they nurse but around 10 mos I try it cultured as yogurt or kefir to see if they have any issues Also cream & butter

[@techproductowner]

Dear Essential , I need some advice would be reallly grateful if you can help I am from India , here we dont have any branded sellsers , instead we have few local provider of grains ; so once I get the grain how do i know if its a good quality . . or not In other words kafir is kafir . . or there are quality of kafir that matters the final bacteria and strin count

[@tessat.1616]

The problem with your comments was 98% of it was about milk Kefir and I was primarily interested in water kefir.

[@SterlingSimmons22]

It’s essentially very similar to kombucha but with just sugar water instead of black tea and sugar using the SCOBY

[@elizabethfincher3916]

why is my kefir not smooth? it has very fine lumps in it. I made it for 4 days now.

[@undomiel466]

It's normal I think

[@Brandon-hw3ok]

Where did you buy your milk grains?

[@lizad777]

she put a link above in the description area.

[@b.r.i.a.n.]

​@@lizad777 where ?

[@Mr_Fission]

@@lizad777 No, she really didn't put a link in the description.

[@goldglobenet]

👍👍

[@gasparini76]

my kefir develops fermantation but not grains. I dont understand why there are no grains.....

[@zedbaby72]

Best jar is not plastic but glass

[@cryptocajun6070]

Mariah Carey? Are you saying that they are hard to tolerate?!!! LOL

[@karenzimmer7607]

I avoid sugar so not sure about the water kefir

[@kingspal99]

help......how do I make kefir grains ...they start from somewhere 😅

[@paguliukas]

Warm up milk no more than 40c 2liter milk put 2 soup spoons of sour cream next day boom kefir

[@andrerousselsapet5219]

If you let Raw milk stand Will it turn to Kefir 😬😬😬😊🐝

[@RPRosen-ki2fk]

No, it must have Kefir grains or Kefir starter added to it.

[@evgeniakotsifos7878]

All these beneficial bacteria get destroyed in the acid environment in the stomach area, they never get through to go to the small intestines where they would be beneficial.