Podcast Episode 95: Dairy Free Kefir

I have seen many people benefit from kefir, and this includes non-dairy kefir. So many people need a dairy-free version, so we created just about every kind of non-dairy kefir we could think of. We have 16 in all and I want to tell you which ones I like the best and how to make it thick like yogurt!
Check out this article:
» www.culturedfoodlife.com/dair...
References I talked about:
» www.culturedfoodlife.com/how-...
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Warmly,
❤Donna❤

[@Mainleygirl22]

I was in bed 2.5 years with sciatic nerve pain in my back and leg. After drinking Kefir for 3 months, the pain went away. I was also having severe stomach, intestinal pain, which the kefir took away. I'm gluten free, but the kefir really made me feel better, and I've lost 65 pounds!

[@CulturedFoodLife]

That is amazing Mainely! We'd love to share your story on our lives touched place. If you feel comfortable you can submit it here: www.culturedfoodlife.com/lives-touched/

[@jennybadl7840]

Was it milk kefir or non diary kefir ?

[@SarahRosaEsq]

Hi Donna, and thank you for your channel. You’ve taught me the ins and outs of kefir, and I’m now also making kefir soda with the help of your starter packets (my favorite is pineapple, lemon, and ginger juice from ginger bug!). Just wanted to leave a quick thanks for your tip here about the Silk Protein milk base for non-dairy/plant-based kefir. It works amazingly well, and results in very thick kefir that cultures FAST. It’s currently taking less than a day even during the winter up here in New England (we keep the heat at only about 66-68). Also, the result is so mild I love it without a second ferment. Awesome tip! I probably never would have stumbled into that otherwise, so thank you again 🙏🏼

[@darlarousch6339]

Love your podcasts!

[@cherylpaniccia4920]

Thank you for all his information. So well presented. 🎉🎉🎉

[@veganworld4923]

thank you

[@teramartindale432]

I am so happy to a found your podcast can't wait to go on your website we are completely dairy free and have been for years due to allergies my kids to eat unsweetened nondairy yogurt from the grocery store but I am going to try making Kiefer I can't eat yogurt because of the texture but I could put it in a smoothie. We have been keto for 2 1/2 years and three weeks ago switch to Paleo so I thinkThe non-dairy keepers would fit in great especially with new season coming thank you so much

[@CulturedFoodLife]

You'll love it Tera! I have an article on Keto/low carb you may enjoy as well: www.culturedfoodlife.com/low-carb-cultured-foods/

[@newt1834]

Love your bottles, where did you get it?

[@latashalogan8502]

Hi so if I’m using coconut milk will I use the milk kefir grains or the water kefir grains?

[@wendybesse90]

Info at 3:25

[@LaurieChistine]

I have to say...I absolutely love your podcasts! I recently discovered you and have binge listened to all of you podcasts in the last few weeks. Kefir is new to me...but I'm really liking it. I'm looking forward to making many of your recipes on your website.

[@CulturedFoodLife]

Thank you very much Laurie!!

[@njsongwriter]

Which kefir would be the lowest in carbs? If you use pure maple syrup as a sugar will that result in a maple flavored kefir?

[@mauracruz6649]

Wow, wow thank you wonderful women that's great 👌👍👌👍👏👏👏👏👏👏👏😇🙏

[@sta_stric1338]

If I make almond milk using keifer grains is it just as healthy as making whole milk keifer? Also, I still do a second ferment using almond milk?

[@lindastangelo1636]

So if I use the easy starter that you sell and I make a quart of plant kefir, I can use ¼ cup of kefir in my next batch... correct? How many times can I do that before I need to use a new packet?

[@debbiestevens5490]

If you're making your own nut milk can you mix nuts to get a good nutritious kefir?

[@kyliefan7]

I started water kefir but never got into it because I wasn’t a fan of the taste plus I do milk kefir + 2 gallons of kombucha every week so it’s hard to keep up on!

[@christinaherren]

I have to go on vacation for three weeks and I will miss my kefir. Can I soak them in fridge with a flavored coconut milk or something similar?

[@viviangallego162]

If using live milk Kefir grains, can we use goat milk?

[@Ms123PAT123]

could honey be used instead of sugar

[@frustratedmajority851]

My wife is concerned that milk kefir will give her pimples because normal milk does... do you have any insight into this topic?

[@pattern.m]

Can we add inulin to dairy free milk?

[@sannamuh985]

Thank you so much, Donna. Do you think Coconut Milk Kefir (and/or other Dairy Free Kefirs) is just as effective as regular milk Kefir?

[@Nicholas.Tsagkos]

Yes, i add a bit of sugar in the fermentation jar for the microbes to eat. Occasionally you might need to use animal's milk to make the grains strong again if needed.

[@sannamuh985]

@@Nicholas.Tsagkosthanks for sharing! How much sugar do you add and to which kind of nondairy milks?

[@barbarawatson5728]

Can you use 2%milk to make kefir

[@MrFahimself]

When making non dairy Kefir is it important to use regular dairy milk once in a while...to revitalise the grains? I read this online.

[@Nicholas.Tsagkos]

Υεs, it's a good thing if you can, though i had a friend that she was making kefir in soy milk for a whole year ! But i think they don't grow as big and fast in plant based milk, they are "designed" for animal milk.

[@carolinaochoa7900]

Ok, so if water kefir feeds of sugar and not lactose, that means that water kefir is the one to use to make plant milk kefir, right?

[@geraldfrank1630]

Exactly what sugar & how much is needed for coconut milk kefir? Good info as always. 🙏

[@BrazingHussey]

I buy coconut milk powder online. It comes with 10% rice maltodextrin added already and works perfectly for kefir. Add the powder to water and then add the grains, 24hr and it’s fermented

[@anthonywells733]

@@BrazingHussey do you use regular milk kifer grains in your non dairy kifer

[@anthonywells733]

Do you use regular milk kifer grains in your coconut milk kifer ? Also can I mix a small amount of regular dairy milk into the coconut milk and use this to make kifer. Im somewhat sensitive to dairy milk, hoping this will help improve this problem.

[@BrazingHussey]

@@anthonywells733 I think I have a water based kefir grain. They grew in number very quickly using maple syrup and molasses, the grains love minerals! I’d say you’d be fine adding a little dairy. You can get going with a store bought kefir and just use about 10% as a starter, no grain required

[@nillyk5671]

What do you mean by 8 carbohydrates?

[@angelazhao3558]

So any store bought non dairy milk works fine? My daughter is allergic to eggs, dairy and nuts. Any recommendations on grains/starters to make Kefir?

[@CulturedFoodLife]

Most of them work great. I don't recommend soy or hemp milk as the flavor is very strong. Coconut or oat milk would be a good idea for your daughter. You will just need regular kefir grains or kefir starter culture to make the non dairy. Just check the recipe as you will need to add in some sugar or date paste to give the kefir culture some food to consume if the milk is unsweetened.

[@angelazhao3558]

Donna Schwenk Thank you!

[@amychen2682]

I was told that kefir grains need lactose to grow, is this truth? Since plant milks don't contain lactose??

[@LarsMith217]

Is A2 milk essential for safe kefir culturing ?

[@donnakefir]

Yes, it works great and the kefir taste wonderful!

[@LarsMith217]

@@donnakefir So, it IS ESSENTIA for for SAFE Kefir culturing ?

[@donnakefir]

@@LarsMith217 Not at all. I mainly use regular store-bought milk to make me kefir. We no longer have the milk supplier that we got the A2 milk from. But you can make kefir in any type of milk just avoid ultra pasteurized. REgular pasteurized milk works great!

[@LarsMith217]

@@donnakefir Do you check your Blood Glucose regularly, on any days that you have Kefir ?

[@teramartindale432]

What does Kiefer taste like is it like yogurt

[@CulturedFoodLife]

It is more tart than yogurt and is pourable (more of a liquid). But similar!

[@newt1834]

Think of it as sour drinkable yoghurt, in the 80’s the yoghurt we drank tasted similar.

[@DarleneDeSilva]

, GUAR GUM, GELLAN GUM. They are in that ripple milk

[@cachi-7878]

What the heck is a jalapeeno? 😉Say it with me…jalapeño.

[@lindastangelo1636]

😂😂😂

[@sissamy1802]

Hello Im new and just subscribed to your news letter and you mention that you give away free Kefir kits every week. Can I have one as I've found myself in a pickle for lack of better words? Thank you and im about to binge watch and soak in all of this knowledge!

[@CulturedFoodLife]

Hi! I do a giveaway for different things every week. It's a random drawing for my email subscribers.. You can sign up on my website culturedfoodlife.com and hopefully you'll win!

[@ReginaBarnett]

My water kefir had an awful after taste.

[@CulturedFoodLife]

Hi Sweet Pea, First Ferment Water Kefir should have very little flavor actually. It's usually quite neutral or bland. To get a good flavor you need to do a 2nd ferment. I have some 2nd ferment recipes you can find on my website and I have a blog coming out about it as well.