Water kefir grains not multiplying

[at-home]

I've been making water kefir for several months now - we love it! However, I do not have any more grains now than when I started. I've read that they multiply so quickly that its hard to know what to do with it all, but I certainly have not had this experience. I wish I had more because I'd like to have more water kefir on hand. Any suggestions?

[emilyj]

I am also having this problem, my water kefir grains were dehydrated and sent overseas from the US. They make great kefir and I feed them lemons, molasses and baking soda (and sometimes egg shells) but they do not reproduce at all.

[dogmom327]

There are a number of reasons why kefir grain will or won't multiply so most sellers will tell you that there are no guarantees...but I can give you a few tips.

Two things matter most: Water and sugar-type

For water, kefir grains like high mineral content water so well water is best but spring water often works too.

For sugar, sugar's containing molasses are best so either whole sugars like rapadura or white sugar with added molasses (1/2 c. white sugar and 1+ t. molasses).

Sometimes adding fresh ginger juice, egg shell powder, etc. (as suggested on Dom's Kefir site) also work.

Grains that are dried often take longer to multiply (but unfortunately it's dangerous to ship grains that aren't dried...the post office has this thing about packages leaking on postal carriers, grains that aren't dried have a limited lifespan and are much more susceptible to temperature changes in route, and of course liquid is heavy and expensive to ship).

Ultimately though I don't think there's been enough research on kefir grains to know all the factors that may affect them multiplying. Some grains, even with great care, never will multiply. It could be something in the water for example that you're not aware of. Don't worry too much if they don't multiply, they will still be good for making kefir for a very long time with proper care.

[FernG]

Have you tried boiling your water for 20 min or letting your water sit in an open pitcher for 24 hours to get rid of some of the chlorine before adding the kefir grains? Have you tried fluoride-free water?