homemade kefir taste like commercial?

[grooks]

I just ordered my first kefir that is to be delivered in a few days. I plan to make it with coconut milk (I hope this is okay) but am wondering what I can add to it. Unfortunately, I started drinking commercial kefir and fell in love with it. The reason I say "unfortunate" is because it likely has horrible sweetners and additives in it. I'm a former soda pop addict so if I fall in love with something it is usually terrible for me.

The kefir that I LOVE LOVE LOVE is by So Wonderful. It's a vanilla flavored coconut milk kefir. I also like the strawberry. It has carageenan in it which we should all avoid, I guess. Anyway, I really want to make this DIY kefir work for me. What can I do to make it taste awesome? Since I do plan on making it with coconut milk, can I add sugar and vanilla to it? Calories are not an issue with me at the moment. I'm having health issues and have lost a tremendous amount of weight.

I guess I am asking what can I do to make my kefir taste like the commercial kind w/o sacrificing good health?

TIA!

[JoyMC]

well, prepare yourself, because it will taste NOTHING like the sugary commercial kind when you first make it. i myself wouldn't add sugar, but i do consume my kefir in smoothies w/lots of frozen fruit, some honey, some coconut oil, and whatever else i'm feeling like throwing in there. (oh, and i'm referring to dairy kefir - have never done coconut milk kefir.)

have you tried water kefir? that can be quite sweet and soda-like.

[grooks]

I was thinking of adding honey or palm sugar. I'm on a 600 step process of cutting sugar in my life. I will have to look out for the water kefirs... haven't tried that yet.