Water kefir basics?

[Koalamom]

I have some water kefir grains coming in th mail. I really have no idea what to do with them. It isn't like milk kefir and all you need is milk. I am reading that people use all sorts of things with their grains. molasses, lemons, juice, calcium tablet, sugar, even egg shells!
What am I doing? if I don't get some good simple directions, I am going to have a funcky beverage. Please Help!

[Nan'sMom]

My water kefir grains were very happy with Sucanat (nothing else) and multiplied like crazy. I had to ditch them though and I'm starting again because I used cheesecloth over the jar instead of a washcloth or something else with a tight weave and the grains got infested with fruit flies (yuck!!!). If you are in a cold climate with a drafty house you'll need to find somewhere warm to put them (I forget the recommended temperature). Top of our fridge isn't warm, everywhere else is drafty and uneven, so we have a fermenting cupboard with a light bulb in it for heat and a thermometer to check on the temperature. (Ok, not most environmental solution but the best we've come up with so far).

[chaoticzenmom]

Lately, I"ve been putting my kefir in 1qt jars of unflitered apple juice for 24hours and then bottling the juice. I also have just sliced lemons and put them into the sugar water kefir and then bottled at 24hours. I've put in molasses and sugar when I wanted to let them rest for a few days. My water grains are multiplying like crazy,but my milk kefir grains seem to not be growing at all. I use evaporated cane juice crystals that I get from costco cheap. I also make an awesome blueberry kefir soda that will make 4quarts of soda with one quart of kefir water.

I also bought a special filter that doesn't use charcoal carbon, it uses some kind of coconut carbony filter.
I'll pm you my website for the blueberry recipe and filter info.

[TonyaW]

Originally Posted by chaoticzenmom

Lately, I"ve been putting my kefir in 1qt jars of unflitered apple juice for 24hours and then bottling the juice. I also have just sliced lemons and put them into the sugar water kefir and then bottled at 24hours. I've put in molasses and sugar when I wanted to let them rest for a few days. My water grains are multiplying like crazy,but my milk kefir grains seem to not be growing at all. I use evaporated cane juice crystals that I get from costco cheap. I also make an awesome blueberry kefir soda that will make 4quarts of soda with one quart of kefir water.

I also bought a special filter that doesn't use charcoal carbon, it uses some kind of coconut carbony filter.
I'll pm you my website for the blueberry recipe and filter info.

I am interested in your blueberry recipe too.

What is a good source for water kefir grains to buy online?

[chaoticzenmom]

I have the recipe and pics on my homepage. But, it's just fruit boiled with sugar, then, when it's cooled, you add 1/4th to 1/3rd basic kefir water. Let it ferment a day or 3 and it's soda!

I got mine from Dogmom (culturesforhealth). You can sometimes find them locally, but people are generally stingy with water kefir grains since they don't last forever and they're somewhat hard to get to multiply. Mine are multiplying, but I dry out the extras to save for the years ahead.

While you're at culturesforhealth, grab some of those 1qt widemouth lids....they're extremely useful and inexpensive.

[TonyaW]

That blueberry soda sounds yummy. Do I have to have bottles with caps or can I use pint sized ball jars with the plastic lids. Will I still get the fizz that way?

[mbravebird]

If you ordered from Cultures for Health, you've got detailed instructions coming.

I find that the grains are rather resilient, and they do culture in a colder spot, it just takes them longer. Which is good for those of us who get behind .

I use rapadura or sucanat, or even white sugar if I'm not tending to them and just want to let them sit for a while. I do a second fermentation with juice mixed in with the water kefir, capped, and it gets more fizzy that way.

[dogmom327]

Originally Posted by TonyaW

That blueberry soda sounds yummy. Do I have to have bottles with caps or can I use pint sized ball jars with the plastic lids. Will I still get the fizz that way?

The tighter your lid the better the fizz. The plastic lids that fit the canning jars are really handy but if you want the carbonation to build during a second fermentation (after you add some juice), you want something much tighter. Even regular canning jar lids aren't great unfortunately. The best thing I've found for building fizz (same for Kombucha) are the grolsch-style bottles. You can likely find them locally at a beer/wine making supply store. Just use caution when you open the bottle! I had some hit the ceiling the other day...and get all over me

Whole sugars like Rapadura and Sucanat generally yield a more fizzy water kefir than white sugar but ultimately it's a matter of taste preference.

[Koalamom]

Is it possible to not use sugar? We are allergic to sugar and I have no I dea how it will be even kefired.

[chaoticzenmom]

Allergic to sugar? Is it the cane? If so, look for beet sugar. Or, just use straight fruit juice instead. You'll have to feed the grains. I'm sure there are other sweeteners that you can use as well. Agave? Rice sugar? Maple syrup? Fructose? I've heard that honey isn't really the best for them.

[TonyaW]

Originally Posted by dogmom327

The tighter your lid the better the fizz. The plastic lids that fit the canning jars are really handy but if you want the carbonation to build during a second fermentation (after you add some juice), you want something much tighter. Even regular canning jar lids aren't great unfortunately. The best thing I've found for building fizz (same for Kombucha) are the grolsch-style bottles. You can likely find them locally at a beer/wine making supply store. Just use caution when you open the bottle! I had some hit the ceiling the other day...and get all over me

Whole sugars like Rapadura and Sucanat generally yield a more fizzy water kefir than white sugar but ultimately it's a matter of taste preference.

Where can I buy the grolsch-style bottles?

[dogmom327]

Originally Posted by TonyaW

Where can I buy the grolsch-style bottles?

If you have a beer or wine making supply store locally, they should have them. I'll PM you with other info.

[chaoticzenmom]

I get the grolsh style bottles from my local store (one that is pretty healthy, whole foods may work). I cruise the beer section and the lemonaid section. I found italian lemonaid filled grolsh bottles for 3 dollars and stocked up. I also found some beers with those bottles in various sizes. To start, you only need 2 to 4 bottles that hold a quart of liquid with a little headspace. Ordering online could be easier though.

[Ellies_Papa]

water kefir not growing

Hi, I'm trying to get my newly acquired water kefir grains to grow but I don't seem to be having much luck. I just received them and I am wondering if them being mailed with this cold weather has hurt them? I have them in a glass jar with water and white sugar one third cup. I boiled the water and let it cool before I put in the grains. I looked at some youtube picures and my grains don't look much like the ones there. Any thoughts on how best to revive them? Thanks, I'm looking forward to trying some of these excellent recipes that were posted here!

[dogmom327]

Originally Posted by Ellies_Papa

Hi, I'm trying to get my newly acquired water kefir grains to grow but I don't seem to be having much luck. I just received them and I am wondering if them being mailed with this cold weather has hurt them? I have them in a glass jar with water and white sugar one third cup. I boiled the water and let it cool before I put in the grains. I looked at some youtube picures and my grains don't look much like the ones there. Any thoughts on how best to revive them? Thanks, I'm looking forward to trying some of these excellent recipes that were posted here!

Cold doesn't generally damage water kefir grains (heat can, but cold isn't an issue) so that shouldn't be effecting anything.

Did your grains arrive hydrated or dehydrated? If they were dehydrated, it can take a few weeks for them to behave in a fully normal way.

Grains tend to grow best when they have access minerals. The easiest way to accomplish this is to use quality water if possible (well water, spring water, etc.) and to use a whole sugar which contains molasses (e.g. Rapadura, Sucanat, etc.) or add a teaspoon of molasses to the white sugar. If you don't have access to well or spring water and/or you can't use a whole sugar or some molasses, they will still most likely grow at some point, it will just be much slower. Ultimately, give them some time. Odds are good they will eventually multiply.

BTW...welcome to MDC!

[TonyaW]

Originally Posted by chaoticzenmom

I have the recipe and pics on my homepage. But, it's just fruit boiled with sugar, then, when it's cooled, you add 1/4th to 1/3rd basic kefir water. Let it ferment a day or 3 and it's soda!

I got mine from Dogmom (culturesforhealth). You can sometimes find them locally, but people are generally stingy with water kefir grains since they don't last forever and they're somewhat hard to get to multiply. Mine are multiplying, but I dry out the extras to save for the years ahead.

While you're at culturesforhealth, grab some of those 1qt widemouth lids....they're extremely useful and inexpensive.

Can I use frozen blueberries? I am just about to make some kefir water.

[Faliciagayle]

Originally Posted by TonyaW

Where can I buy the grolsch-style bottles?

I get mine free from bars Most places are happy to store them for me as long as they know when I'm coming in (I provide the crates). They just throw them away/recycle the bottles - so it's not like they're losing money.

[dogmom327]

Originally Posted by Faliciagayle

I get mine free from bars Most places are happy to store them for me as long as they know when I'm coming in (I provide the crates). They just throw them away/recycle the bottles - so it's not like they're losing money.

Cool idea! I've also heard of people using old wine bottles and just buying new corks. I've always meant to do this but never got around to buying new corks and a corker (or whatever the device is called) to get them in there.

[dogmom327]

Originally Posted by TonyaW

Can I use frozen blueberries? I am just about to make some kefir water.

Sure. They'll defrost just fine in the kefir.