Podcast Episode 154: Frequently Asked Questions About Milk Kefir

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Warmly,
❤Donna❤

[@jentinanaude2659]

I am from South Africa and can't find proper kefir grains. I then went and filtered a store bought kefir through a VERY fine cloth. I started a kefir fermentation with 100ml + 10 tiny grains I scavenged. I now sit with 2liter of kefir I make per day for my family. Kefir changed a lot for many in my family! Wonder product! Love your show!

[@almojabanas9296]

Did the grains grow fast?

[@jentinanaude2659]

@@almojabanas9296 with pasteurised milk it doubled every two weeks. I struggle to get raw milk in the city of good quality, it might grow quicker with raw milk.

[@pellyhardin4053]

What causes the balls to float after they've been in the icebox thank you

[@bgood6930]

I am grateful for your expertise Donna!

[@EsperanzaMartinez-kn3yf]

Thank you. I have learned a lot from you. I wish I had bought my kefir grains from you, but I found you after I got mine. I have my Kefir grains for a year now. I love it! Especially the over night oats with fruit, it’s my breakfast everyday. I also make yogurt, the way I make it is with dates and my favorite fruit and I blend it all up and I drink it.

[@NintCondition]

The easiest way to strain kefir is to shake it up before you pour it to separate the grains. It will strain without having to even stir or scrap.

[@christinacrabtree1369]

Thank you! I just did this on my first kefir batch because of your comment. Worked perfectly!

[@grounded7362]

I have been using A2 ultra pasteurized milk and it has been producing what I think is a great kefir. This is what I have and I even revived grains I had in my fridge for 4 years in the original packaging they came in from Yemoos with this same milk. Took 3 days to get them going. I keep my fridge temp around 35 degrees +/- 2 degree. Life happened and I was not able to use them till 4 years later.

[@raychee7152]

Hello Donna! I bought your book years ago... It's changed our lives! Thank you

[@mariannereno8501]

Thank you! 😊 I appreciate your experience & knowledge. Yes. This is so very important. I've just gotten my new Kiefer Grains. I'm treating them as my new babies. It was a rough road thru the mail, it's been over 100° f. Gotten the stink off, on 2'nd milk change. I've been so very ill. Mast cells, histamine intolerance, atrial flutter. Finally, this is the answer. Yes. Correct microbiome. I tried store bought Kiefer, fast, huge improvement. 🤗💖

[@fainarozumov8992]

Thank you Donna for sharing your experience and knowledge!

[@Lucidity__]

Thank you Donna! You are such a wealth of information! Thank you for helping me so much on my fermentation and gut healing journey 🤗

[@gladysma308]

Thank you for your answers and explanation. For my own revisit: 16:25 ferment with a lid to turn separated kefir into creamy again by adding some pre BioPlus 24:49 kefir grains like stable environment and temperature so it is hard for season changes

[@mmahoney2088]

Donna, this makes sense..but why does this not apply to yogurt too?.. Can't we cut the fermenting time on yogurt if it gets too sour?.. Sour yogurt is horrible and no one eats it. So i cut back the times on both kefir and yogurt and they are still thick but taste better! And still notice huge benefits!!!! But I'm not supposed to cut back time on yogurt..even if it's clearly done...but it's ok for kefir... What's up?... Thanks!❤

[@JoDeeNelson]

SO good! Thank you for all this great info. It answered a lot of my questions! Somewhat of a newbie here. 😊

[@stephenwilliams4406]

Hi Donna, Just now learning about Kefir, and ordered some Grains because of a recommendation from a recent Dr. Eric Berg KZbin video. There's a 2-3 week backlog, so I wish I had ordered them from you! Your videos are full of good info, so Thank You. I have a question: I try to eat Keto and want near zero sugar. How do I know when all or most all of the sugar in the milk has been used as food for the Kefir? Thanks. Steve

[@joannaszmaj2556]

Thank you Donna 😊

[@sylviaeshelman1288]

Thank you Donna

[@makdem4603]

Can you mix kefir grains from different strains/sources? Is there a chance they could harm each other or will it make them stronger ? Just bought your grains the the sibo kit!

[@obeidaj]

معلوماتك رائعه كل الشكر لك😍🌹

[@yuridialeyva3417]

what can I put in the kefir for the second fermentation for it to be sweeter? can I add fruits too? thank you

[@natubb]

Awesome!

[@Kovidkillermalinois]

Where can I find pasteurized milk? They all say Ultra?

[@evelyny7037]

If I don’t have any of the pre-bio on hand but I do have some inulin, would that work to fix my key for that currently separated into curds and whey?

[@darlarousch6339]

I really like it, but I make it with half and half, if this is what I think. I use just pasteurized milk when I make kefir. I have made it with homogenized milk. Just worried that the milk wasn't as healthy with that milk. Is that right?

[@ahabgaddis7277]

How long does the probiotic potency last in the fridge? I read Kefir lasts in fridge for 1-2 weeks but wondered if the probiotic potency, 1-2 weeks as well or shorter time?

[@susanhager6445]

Is it bad if after you make your kefir on the counter after 12or more hours the whey is on the top not the bottom

[@perfectfitalterationssewin4324]

Can I mix the milk if I run out of one kind? (raw milk and store milk)

[@freelivingtennessee]

Maybe someone can help me. I got kefir grains and I didn’t know they were live (they were a gift) So they were sitting for a while before reviving them. They smelled good like sourdough starter and took 3 milk changes to revive I got one good coagulated batch before something weird started happening they stopped coagulating the milk like smooth runny yogurt, Now all my batches make thin white milk, with a thick coating floating on top that have almost a gritty curdly looking flim on them about a half inch per two cups of milk. I only had a tsp of grains and revived with one cup of milk, then moved to two cups after I got one coagulated batch bc they were revived. Then the thin batches started and I lowered back down to the one cup. What am I doing wrong? I never get separating into curds and whey but the grains float to the top and the liquid thin milk sits on the bottom solid white

[@carolwagner4592]

If I add stevia to sweeten my kefir does it still have all the benefits.

[@terriblejustawful2825]

Couldn't help but notice that no one answered your question. I'm sure you know by now, but in case anyone is reading this, wondering the same thing, the answer is yes. You can add stevia, and it won't diminish the health benefits.

[@jeri618]

I do, it’s delicious

[@devonmonroe595]

How would I purchase kefir grains?

[@glenlyn52]

is kefir "grain" the same thing as the curd you get every time kefir milk is made?

[@allheartandsong]

I feel amazing when I make kefir but I get exzema really bad on my thighs and patches randomly. Is that my body detoxing? Do I need to just keep drinking it and hope it will clear? I love it so much so not wanting to even try plant based milks....

[@yuridialeyva3417]

that's what happens to my son he gets in on his cheeks and yes that's the body detoxing we have to drink a little less and build up :)

[@lis819]

Can you dehydrate the strained kefir?

[@ledakerrigan8403]

I live in the desert and temp in my house can get to 85 plus. Will my grains die?

[@susanyoung3343]

My kefir grains are three weeks old but they are not growing they are making kefir I give them the best milk I can are they okay or just a bit slow

[@grounded7362]

should you use a lid on water kefir also?

[@lilycardoso4679]

If I strain the kefir with a coffee filter it makes a great yogurt. But am I throwing away alot of nutrition?

[@AmandaPretorius-mi8uw]

What kind of mole can you use for kefir. Can you use ever fresh milk. Because it's very difficult to get hold of raw milk

[@darlarousch6339]

Donna, I have been making the kefir Yogurt that Dr. William Davis. I think it would make the kefir, much stronger, does it, do you know?

[@binathere2574]

He doesn't make kefir. He makes yoghurt.

[@chadknox3960]

Does anyone sell tested grains? How do you know what youvare getting?

[@lokomotive28]

how to tell if i have kefir or clabbered milk?

[@user-gq1ip3kd8i]

How can ask you a question?

[@chasingmosquitos]

thanks Donna. would you say drinking 2 liters of kefir a day is too much? i really like the taste of it and it's kinda addicting for me..

[@debbieheine536]

That's a lot of kefir. I do 2 cups a day, and thought that was a lot. Do you sip it all day long, or have it as a few meals during your day?

[@bechapel7241]

If I have two different jars of double fermented kefir from 1-2 days apart, can I combine them in one one gallon jar? To save room in my fridge...lol...probably a common sense question but want to make sure it's ok.

[@agnesre]

Im pregnant,can i drink water kefir and cambucha?

[@barbaragay2199]

Hi Donna just found you.. Thanks I'm underweight do you have a recipe for smoothie to gain weight I am healthy just small.

[@miriamreber4928]

Where i do find this "epic Q page" you were speaking about in the biggining?

[@homemakinglikeamother]

The FAQ page is in the description box. I think it's the second link right when you open up the description box below the video if you're wanting to see the frequently asked questions page for non dairy milk

[@rachaelflores3810]

Is the acidity of kefir bad for contact with teeth? Like is it better to use a straw or does it not affect teeth? I figure in your experience you would know best on this. I am obsessed with kefir and will be drinking it everyday.

[@mrazik131]

no acidity to cause any sensitivity like after orange or apples...

[@naico6195]

i left my kefir 2 years in the fridge :( hope he still lives. wish me luck. but it would be a miracle

[@hernandocortez6351]

Does kefir cause constipation in some folks? I've been drinking home-made kefir for several weeks with good results, better energy and digestion. To increase my protein uptake, I turned to chocalate-flavored ensure. Just drank one bottle. Not sure if it's kefir or the ensure that's left me with severe constipation?

[@helentc]

Lot of sugar in ensure! Surely some nuts would be healthier?

[@knottymom88]

Hopefully u trashed the Ensure? Old post but Hopefully u did...that stuff is TERRIBLE for u ...hope all is well now ❤

[@hernandocortez6351]

@@knottymom88 Thank you. I did find out a bunch of reasons to avoid Ensure.

[@whitevoodooman7276]

Just got some coconut kefir and starting to feel like iam feeling the hisimine from it Have you any advice

[@rosssundberg5510]

Did you improve over time?

[@whitevoodooman7276]

@@rosssundberg5510 the one i got was very strong and i havent tryed it since but i am going to very soon and i think it will be fine . i take a weaker one atm as its cheaper lol but its still kefir and is fine i find histamine problems occur when you have gut disbyosis and weak stomuch acid and so many things it would be impossible to list it all i eat sauerkraut everyday and tons of histamine foods and iam fine but you cart habe them when you have other problems its a mine field of a subject to figure out . do you struggle with histamine foods

[@Jocke_1979]

I use raw goats milk but my grains do not grow. I handle the correct measurements 1/10. Not to cold, not to hot… What could be the problem?

[@pellyhardin4053]

Beats the heck out of me

[@marionvroomans-pennock3305]

❤❤

[@alicejones9031]

Why does my keifer taste bitter??

[@carnicavegirl7214]

I’m worried about the lowering of the cholesterol because I work hard on animals fast to keep mine high.. it helps with healing, and it’s good for you, but I’m still going to give this a try because of all the other women🙌🏻

[@user-gq1ip3kd8i]

Why my milk kefir is yeasty it smells bad How can I fix it?

[@EmersonAnita]

That’s from the cream, which gets a yeasty smell and taste because it doesn’t ferment. You can either 1) skim the cream off before fermenting, or 2) scoop the cream & grains off the top afterwards with a spoon.

[@mhhuman3553]

Thank you for this podcast. I was about to throw away my grains. I have not really liked the result. It is still cold around here (UK) but if I leave my kefir out to ferment, it over ferments. Even in the fridge is doing that overnight. I comes out too sour, fizzi and with a metalic after taste. I tried second fermenting it with orange peel. Its better but still fizzi. Why is that the supermarket kefir can stay in my fridge for a week and dont go fizzi while mine does in few hours? Thanks a mill! 💕💕💕

[@MrFahimself]

What ratio of grains to milk do you use for your ferments? 1 tbsp of grains to 1 cup of milk is ideal.

[@mhhuman3553]

@@MrFahimself That is what I am doing. I got them really tiny and they have grown very quick. I am thinking they might be a specific type?

[@DANA-pp4cg]

You don't talk about yeasty tasting. You keep stopping at sour and tart. What about yeasty? Have you ever had yeasty tasting keifer? I had to throw out a half a gallon it was so bad. There is alot to explain with all the parameters involved. But can you point me to a video that addresses how to come back from yeasty grains. I have been doing it beautifully, then all of a sudden I had 2 batches on the counter that never thickened up. The max I do is 24 hours on the counter, sometimes it's was done in 18 hours.

[@jancotton2315]

Hi Dana, she does have a Q&A on her website about Kefir that helped me. Check it out and good luck!