how long can kefir last in fridge?

[crystallane]

Ack! I stuck my kefir in the fridge oh about 4 months ago and it just sat in the back. Is it dead? Should I just buy more?

[FillingMyQuiver]

I don't have any in the fridge currently, but when I did, I would sometimes forget about it for months at a time

Mine never actually died, I would get a new batch of milk going and it would take 1 or 2 rounds to "wake" the grains back up.

[dogmom327]

Milk kefir grains are pretty resilient. I'd put them in new milk and see how they do. As the PP mentioned, it might take a couple of rounds to revive them.

[Koalamom]

I am so glad to read this thread. :
I was a bit embarrassed to ask this question, but mine have been in the fridge for several months too.
It is hard enough to make raw yogurt, fresh sourdough bread, bone broths, fermented veggies, and chase around a toddler in cloth while pregnant. Add kefir to that, and forget it! I really should have no excuses since dh work on an organic dairy farm.

Off to wake them up!

[Metasequoia]

Oh yea, I've left mine in the fridge for months - they always bounce back I've had the same grains for 3 or 4 years.

[TonyaW]

this is good to know because I was wondering the same thing. How can kefir grains be stored?

[FernG]

vacation storage?

Originally Posted by TonyaW

this is good to know because I was wondering the same thing. How can kefir grains be stored?

I was wondering this as we are going on vacation for 2 weeks. The info I've found online still talks about giving the grains new milk every few days even in the refrigerator.

So can I just put my grains in milk in the fridge and the revive them after our vacation?

[Koalamom]

Oh yeah baby!!!! After reading this thread, I pulled out my kefir grains that were in the fridge for many months. I rinsed them in pure water, and put milk on them. This was last night, and this morning, it kefired!!!!!