Kefir questions...

[kiwimutti]

hi mamas and papas
can anyone tell me...
my Kefir grains are a little bigger than a walnut...do I need to cut them in half?

and I put them all (about just over 2 table spoons in a mason jar (quart jar) is that too much grains?

...also they are slimy...is that just part of the kefir magic?

and lastly, is it fine to drink Kefir as long as you like the smell?... I left my last batch about a day longer than usual and it was much more tart (and yummier!)
Thanks!

[spughy]

I always break up my kefir grains with my fingers (after thoroughly washing my hands of course). Gently pulling them apart keeps them healthier than slicing them with a knife I think. If you keep your grains smaller, you have more surface area touching the milk so it cultures faster. It also encourages more growth in your grains.

I try to keep my grains about the size of my fingernail or smaller. But I don't think anything *bad* happens if you don't break them up, just slower kefiring.

And I'm sure it's fine to let it culture for longer, as long as it smells ok.

[greenjenny]

I pull mine apart as well, I read somewhere that if you cut them, you might disrupt something. I keep mine fairly big though, and they seem to culture wicked fast, especially in the warmer weather.

[kiwimutti]

Thanks ladies, I've made them smaller...now its harder to find them though

So does anyone know if they are ment to be slimy?
And can you brew with too many?

kiwi