can I culture added probiotics in with kefir?

[caedmyn]

I've made yogurt without a "yogurt starter" by using probiotic powder as a starter...I was wondering if I could "enhance" the benefits of kefir with specific strains of beneficial bacteria that I want if I add some probiotic powder to the kefir, either as it's initially culturing or after the grains are removed if I let it sit out for another 12-24 hours. Anybody (xenabyte?) know?

[xenabyte]

Hey,

Yes you can. I had some dairy grains that were fairly 'yeasty' when I got them, and 'boosted' them in the right direction with the powdered kefir starter, added to the milk as directed, then added in the grains and let it sit the typical 12-24 hours.

The grains started making much creamier, and less tangy (yeasty) kefir. The new bacterias will come to live in peace and harmony with the original residents and boost any 'sagging' populations of the ones you want!

You could also use yogurt starter, but you'd only be increasing the population of 1-3 strains...but it's still doable!

The probiotic powder should work also, if rehydrated first in the milk, then add in the grains. Kefir will change and take on new strains sometimes, depending on what milk it's soaked in and the environment it's in. So you are not harming the grains, just 'tweaking' them to suit your needs.

Good luck!

[caedmyn]

Thanks! I'll try it and see what happens...I'll be doing it with water kefir grains instead of milk grains so it ought to be interesting.

[xenabyte]

My caveot:

I've never tried it with water grains. That could be interesting. Watch for super fizzing if you bottle it!