I've been a bad kefir mommy

[quietserena]

My grains have been in a quart jar in milk in the fridge for at least 3 weeks. They weren't doing great before that either - the kefir tasted much like soured milk and not so much like kefir.

I have a gallon of milk dedicated to bringing them back. My plan is to just make kefir until it gets chunky and pitch it every time until it starts to taste and smell right.

Anything else I should do?

[velcromom]

I'm not such a great kefir mommy myself but it sounds like they need rehabilitation, lol. I think you are on the right track. I've heard if they don't come back to making good kefir, they might be contaminated especially if they were making yucky kefir before... maybe one of our kefir experts will come along...

[quietserena]

I did about 24 hours the first time around and it was bad so I pitched it. This new batch has been going about 24 hours and it smells and tastes like kefir. I think it might be done but to be safe I'll pitch this one too I think.

I think the grains have grown in the fresh milk too!