Water Kefir

I was recently introduced to water kefir.  It's got some amazing properties.  It's probiotic, full of enzymes that aid in digestion and proper intestinal flora and PACKED with B vitamins.  Google it for more info.  You can also find many informative videos on YouTube with step by step instructions.

You will need:
1/4 c. water kefir grains
3/4 c. sugar (DO NOT USE HONEY)
Dried fruit such as dried mission figs (the best flavor), apples, raisins or apricots.  I'm not a fan of the apricot so much but people on youtube like it.
Clean half gallon (2 qt.) jar

In the jar, combine the kefir grains and sugar.  Add the dried fruit (2 whole figs and 4 apple slices are the best).  Add about 1.5 liters of fresh, pure water.  Cover tightly and shake gently for a few seconds.  Leave on the counter for 2-3 days.

In this picture I was experimenting with milk kefir cultures in the water with figs and apples.  The jar to the right has water kefire grains with apricots.  After 2-3 days (the longer you leave it, the more bubbly it becomes, like soda) use a plastic strainer lined with linen over top a glass bowl or jar.  Pour the kefir through the strainer and discard the dried fruit.  Rinse the kefir grains (for the water kefir) and put in a small glass jar with 1 tsp. of sugar and just covered with pure water.  Place in the refrigerator until you are ready to use again.  For the water kefir using milk kefir starter, there will be no grains.  Just strain the liquid through the linen and strainer and discard all the rest.  Put the water kefir into clean jars in the refrigerator.  The longer you leave it undisturbed in the refrigerator the better it tastes.  So leave it in there for a week or so for best flavor.

If you are going at this thinking "water" or "juice", you may find yourself gagging and disgusted.  I had a friend who tried it and said it was so nasty (but she admittedly gags at anything new), but when you drink it thinking, "sparkling fruit juice" or "wine", that's exactly what it tastes like.  I can see myself ringing in the new year with a glass of this stuff.  My son and husband like it but my daughter doesn't.  So it's all about your own preferences.  It's pretty inexpensive to make, so it's worth experimenting with.

It's kind of the same concept of eating tofu.  When you go at it thinking, "meat substitute" it doesn't taste like meat so some people are disgusted.  But when you say it's cheese or bean curd, people accept it.  I think it's all in the mind....but I digress.  :)

You can find free kefir grains if you do a little searching.  I found my kefir grains while looking for farm fresh eggs at the farmers market.  I started talking to the lady about raw milk and she referred me to someone else who not only showed me where to get raw milk, she gave me the kefir grains for free.  You can also buy them online here or just google it.  Many people who sell them are making a living off of the land and have a lot of wisdom to share.  You might be surprised at the friendships that you can make.