Water Kefir Grains Vs Milk Kefir Grains

Water Kefir Grains Vs Milk Kefir Grains
by Alex J Parker

Milk and water kefir share some common strains of bacteria and yeast, but they also
have many unique strains. People occasionally have some measure of success
fermenting milk with water kefir grains or vise versa temporarily, however the grains
never convert or physically change to be the other culture.

Water kefir grains ferment at room temperature typically for about 48 hours
(compared to 24 for milk). A good rule of thumb is that for every tablespoon of
grains, you need about 1 tablespoon of any kind of sugar (white, brown, raw, or a
mix) and about 1 cup of water. Simply add a couple pieces of dried fruit for more
flavor and nutrients (for the grains and yourself). You can also add in some fresh
lemon if desired. In 48 hours you'll have a delicious, refreshing and healthy probiotic
drink.

One thing to keep in mind is that a big portion of the sugar is broken down and
converted by the grains into acids, carbonation, small amounts of alcohol and other
nutritious by-products. The actual sugar content and GL is lowered once it is ready to
drink. It should taste mildly sweet and tangy when its done (never like plain sugar
water). Longer ferments will also reduce the sugar content further. Water kefir can
be a great choice for the sugar-conscious and even sometimes suitable for some
diabetics.

You might be wondering what it tastes like. Water Kefir has a wonderful mildly zesty
flavor, and can be likened to a natural, light and refreshing soda. It is more mild than
milk kefir or kombucha, having just a light tang (but can build more carbonation and
tang if bottled for a short time). The dried fruit, lemon, type of sugar and other
ingredients will largely determine its flavor as well. When bottling you can vary it up
and be creative with any new flavor or find your own personal favorite combination
to stick with.

are a great alternative or addition to milk kefir. They're
economical, healthy, delicious and fun to experiment with. Most times the grains
themselves out-live their owners.

About The Author

Alex J Parker

For more information on Kefir and other cultures, including the biggest FAQ available
on the web, swing over to .

If you are familiar with milk kefir
grains, you might be wondering what
water kefir grains are, and how they
differ. They both have a similar
symbiosis of bacteria and yeast that
ferment a sugary liquid at room
temperature into a healthy probiotic
beverage, however they are not the
same grain. The milk kefir grains use
milk; whereas, water kefir grains use
a sugar-water mix, typically
supplemented with dried fruit. Milk
grains look like soft opaque curds of
cauliflower heads while water kefir
grains looks like tiny
semi-transparent crystal gems.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The content on
this website is for educational purposes only. Please consult with your physician before using natural
remedies and before making any drastic changes to your diet or exercise program.