Water kefir grains that don't grow

[welldone]

My water kefir grains have never grown. I've had them for months. Have I even been drinking kefir, or just fermented sugar water? I've been adding raisins, which makes it fizzy and less sugar water-tasting, but I can't figure out why the grains won't reproduce.

I read Xenabyte's recommendation to use Rapadura/Sucanat and molasses, and a shot of fresh juice...would it work to try just molasses and fresh juice? I have my grains resting in sugar water in the fridge right now.

As you can tell from my posts, our fermented beverage department isn't seeing wild success..

[xenabyte]

Keeping them in the refrigerator, and not changing the sugar water at least every 3 days, can definitely affect your grains.

They seem to be making kefir still, but might not be happy enough to reproduce.

I never refrigerate my grains, but try to put them in a double or triple amt of water/sugar if I'm leaving them 'solo' for a week or so.

Seriously, there are tons of the water grains out there now...so if in doubt... I've got tons still, and I know there are lots of moms out there with super reproducing ones.

Can you find Rapadura to try to revive them? Like 2 qts water, 1/3 cup Rapadura, and let them sit at room temp for 2-3 days, and you will notice 'bubbles' rising from the bottom of the jar if they are 'alive' and the amount will double most likely. If not, then something happened to them and you might want a 'new' batch.

The fruit juice/molasses trick only works if they are still revivable, and just kinda dormant from shipping, or cold storage.

Don't feel bad, and if you need another 'starter' set, PM me!

[welldone]

Thank you for this. I will try CPR with what I have, and report back with my findings.

[artisticat]

I am in the same boat. Mine are not growing at all. I just moved from Michigan to Texas. Really weird cause they grew like crazy back in Michigan I couldn't keep up with them, now I haven't had this new batch reproduce at all here in Texas. My sister-in-law said she had the same problem here.

xenabyte i'm pming you for another try!!

[Gale Force]

About 10% of the people I've sent them to report that they don't grow, so I've assumed it was environmental differences. Interesting story, artisticat, to provide us with some evidence.

[Annabel]

I have two lots of kefir grains from the same batch. They both make kefir but only one lot grows. The other lot loks a lot healthier, but hasn't increased in size at all. Weird.

[saratc]

Originally Posted by Annabel

I have two lots of kefir grains from the same batch. They both make kefir but only one lot grows. The other lot loks a lot healthier, but hasn't increased in size at all. Weird.

Weird! I remember someone posting once that no matter how much they tried, they couldn't get the (milk) kefir to come out properly in a certain jar although it was fine in another identical jar. Those buggers have a mind of their own. Maybe you guys should try changing jars? The other thing that crossed my mind is the water? I'm using spring water on my superactive buggers. Are any of you using chlorinated water?

[moonshine]

Gale Force, I think that the batch I got from you never grew. I ended up killing it for good by leaving it in the frig too long. The latest batch I have from Heather is growing like WEEDS. I end up pitching a number of batches because I just can't drink it fast enough.

I just discovered that our dog likes to eat the grains. I would rather give extras to her than into the compost.

[Gale Force]

moonshine -- all the grains here are descendants of heather's.

just to show we may never figure it all out, go to

www.kefirlady.com

and see what she says about the type of sugar

[xenabyte]

That's too funny she says plain white sugar is the best for hers...as I think I killed a batch with just plain white sugar, and then the Rapadura made them grow like mad.

It must be a climate/timing issue and reproductive cycles and mineral needs?

It seems once I have them going good on Rap, I can switch to a 'lighter' brew (for lighter flavors) with the white, then put them back in the 'mother jar' with the Rapadura. I like Rapadura, but not all the time 'drink wise'. I find I like the more 'refined' flavor of a white sugar with my ginger brews...

I've shipped overseas and with BAD time delays and they seem to bounce back, and then just a few states away, and they have 'wonky' problems....

It's very interesting!

Sometimes they look like they are 'dissolving' a bit, but then I find it's like having millions of baby water kefir grains...so they might just be 'duplicating' when it appears that way. The big, crystalline grains do seem 'healthier' looking, but the 'powdery residue' reproducing water grains (maybe yeast residues) seem to make a fizzier and more 'popping' drink....

I'm glad there are more moms experimenting now!

[Gale Force]

I tend to have better luck with turbinado as opposed to a more refined sugar. I haven't tried Rapadura. The flavor of sucanat is a little strong, so I haven't made enough batches to comment. In any case, my experience with sugar fits more with yours, Heather. But all of this is to say that who knows what will work (if anything) in any one kitchen and, apparently, in any one jar. The grains like to remain a mystery.

[saratc]

I too had the same experience as Heather. I even tried to cheap out on the rapadura by using part white organic sugar. Even a tbsp or two of it kept my grains from growing. One thing I swear works is to stop worrying about the grains and talk to them nicely. I mentally speak to all my grains and they've all grown wildly for me.