kefir making attempt a bust

[annebanane]

So I tried to make my own kefir (using a yogormet kit I bought at my local health food store) and it totally failed! No kefir just sour milk.

Any tips? What is the difference between using a powder like the yogormet kit and actual kefir grains? Or are the two the same thing?

[JaneS]

The powder and the grains are completely different.

RE: powder
I have only used the one from Body Ecology and it has always worked fine for me. I like how I can make 42 batches b/c you can keep dividing it up to 7x. But the grains last forever! I also get a different taste from them which proves the point that you are get a better range of organisms from the live grains.

Maybe your Yogourmet packet wasn't stored correctly and the little buggers were killed off by heat.

[annebanane]

oooooooooohhh that nasty yeast!

there is a possibilty that the powder got warmed up to much on the ride home in the car. bummer.

so you think the kefir grains make a superior kefir? Stronger probiotic? I have read the whole kefir archive and still want to know more about it.