Milk kefir is a fermented probiotic drink that is well known for its healthful properties. Milk kefir is made by fermenting milk with “milk kefir grains.” Now, despite the grain or porridge-like texture and appearance of milk kefir grains, they are not actually grains at all, but rather “symbiotic colonies of bacteria and yeast,” also known as a “SCOBY” (Think: a kombucha SCOBY, but a little bit more cottage cheese-like).

You can’t make milk kefir at home without milk kefir grains. If you don’t have a friend who is willing to share their excess milk kefir grains with you, I highly recommend getting them from Cultures for Health. Their products are always super reliable and their customer service is great, if you ever need help.

Once you get your milk kefir grains, you can follow the recipe below to make an ENDLESS supply of milk kefir for you and your family. Just remember to save about 20 grams of your milk kefir each week to help start your next batch! Happy fermenting!

How to Make Milk Kefir at Home

Recipe by Kelsey ByeCourse: Fermented DrinksCuisine: RussianDifficulty: Easy

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

10

minutes

Milk kefir is a fermented probiotic drink that is hundreds (or even thousands) of years old. You can make it at your home in as little as 24 hours of fermentation time. This recipe calls for measuring in grams, which requires a kitchen scale. Don't have one? This is the Escali Digital Food Scale that I use now. I love it!

Ingredients

• 20 grams milk kefir grains

• 16 oz organic and pasteurized whole or 2% milk

Directions

• Add the milk to a glass jar.
• Add in the milk kefir grains and stir the milk gently.
• Place a breathable cloth lid (like a t-shirt) on the jar and secure it with a rubber band. Allow the milk to ferment at room temperature for 12 to 24 hours. The mixture should be thick and pleasantly tart.
• Stir the mixture. Strain off the kefir grains and add them to a fresh batch of milk. Store the finished kefir in the fridge in a sealed bottle for up to a month.
• Reserve about 20 grams of milk kefir grains to start your next batch with and you'll have an endless supply of milk kefir for you and your family!

Notes

• Don’t forget to take pictures and please share your creations with us @beniciafermentory