Water Kefir Question(s)

[Bri'sgirl]

An online friend sent me some water kefir grains, but I wasn't able to get to them right away. They sat in a little sugar water in my fridge for about 3 weeks. So, I tried to make some water kefir, which I've never seen nor tasted, so I have no idea if it turned out right. It didn't seem to be fermenting right, so I left it for about 5 days. By that time, it smelled strongly of alcohol. This first recipe I put in sucanat, molasses, filtered water, a handful of dried fruit, which included dried cherries, papaya and pineapple. Which is another problem, because I'm having a hard time separating the grains from the pineapple!

On to the second attempt. This time, I researched some more and made it the way that Cheeseslave suggests. Sugar, molasses, filtered water, an egg shell, and kefir grains. Should the grains be floating or sinking? My kitchen is sort of chilly, so how long should I let it set for the first ferment?

Also, should I have the lid on tightly for the first ferment or just the second ferment?

Sorry so many questions, but I've been so excited to try it out!!

Thanks!!

[elizawill]

i don't have the answers to your questions, as i'm just now getting into water kefir myself. however, the person i'm getting it from (another MDC mama) has a website with lots of great info. here it is...
http://heal-thyself.ning.com/group/s...er-kefir-quest

maybe it will help you. i hope others chime in as well!

[dogmom327]

No more than 72 hours for the ferment since the kitchen is chilly (normally I recommend only 48). Keep them only lightly covered (a towel secured with a rubber band works well). Once you've removed the grains, you can add juice or flavoring and tightly cap the jar for the second ferment.

Kefir grains usually float and move around but it depends on a number of factors. One is that they seem to like warmer temperatures so until it warms up you may not see as much activity. Two, 5 days is a long time to have let them ferment and they may have started to have some issues (run out of sugar to eat) so it may take a few batches to get them back into swimming shape.