water kefir grains, strange smell

[CluckyInAZ]

Is water kefir supposed to smell kinda "cheesy"?

I don't know if it is contaminated, or if that is just how it is supposed to be.

Thanks in advance.

[tamagotchi]

I think there is normally a faint little bit of funkiness to it. You could call it "cheesy."

I make mine in a two stage process, I start with just the grains and agave nectar for 1-2 days, then I strain it and add flavoring (juice, fruit, whatever) and ferment for another 1-2 days. Then I chill it. When I first open the jar after the first fermentation stage there is a slight "cheesy" smell, but at the end when it's flavored and chilled, I don't notice any "cheesy" smell or flavor. HTH.