Can I make kefir without raw milk?

[MamaLea]

I have yet to find a source for any raw milk! I've emailed several local farmers and they're all full. I guess it's a good sign that the demand is out there but I'm about to tell my husband we need to get a goat so I can get some fresh milk!

I do get a milk I believe is not homogenized but not for certain and it is definitely pasteurized.

I just found i am pregnant and i have horrible yeast infections in my first trimester usually and I'd like to try and lessen the degree with some daily kefir regimen and I'd like to make my own since the store bought is a sugary nightmare. But can I use my plain old milk or would i be better off with yogurt?

Thank you ladies!

[kl5]

You can absolutely do it with plain old milk.
Congratulations and happy fermenting!

[Rainbow2911]

The place I got my grains from actually recommends not using raw milk as it can affect the balence of bacterias in the grains. I much prefer kefir made with pastueurised milk taste-wise for some reason. It's less cheesy and more yogurty but that could just be our milk!

[MamaLea]

Awesome! Now I guess I just need to know the best place to get the grains?

[dogmom327]

Originally Posted by Rainbow2911

The place I got my grains from actually recommends not using raw milk as it can affect the balence of bacterias in the grains. I much prefer kefir made with pastueurised milk taste-wise for some reason. It's less cheesy and more yogurty but that could just be our milk!

I've always thought that recommendation was a bit odd. Kefir grains have been around for a very long time--long before milk was pasteurized. IME kefir grains do just fine in raw milk although the taste can certainly vary (as Rainbow pointed out ).

Anyway, most people make kefir out of pasteurized milk as that's what's most readily available but raw milk is fine too if you can get it.

[kl5]

Originally Posted by MamaLea

Awesome! Now I guess I just need to know the best place to get the grains?

I have heard great things about both of these places, but another good alternative is to get extras from someone you know who makes it already. You could post in FYT to find someone locally if there are no kefir culturers in your life.

[MamaLea]

You know what else, someone once told me you can't use pasteurized milk because you can't leave that out at room temp without it 'going bad'? So I guess that's not really a concern? The kefir grains must protect it somehow?

[tngirl11]

Yes, I think it the kefir keeps it from going bad. I've been making kefir for a long time with pasteurized milk, and it always turns out great. I do get raw milk, but I can only afford one gallon a week. I figure it already has so much good bacteria in it, I should leave it as is for drinking or for cereal or whatever and then add the kefir grains to my store-bought milk. That way I'll be getting good stuff from both.

[MamaLea]

Thanks everyone! I'm excited. I'll be shopping for my kefir grains today?