Water kefir is a fermented drink that is rich in Lactose Active Bacteria (beneficial bacteria – we call it the good bacteria) and is a good probiotic rich drink to improve gut health. Slightly fizzy and easy on the palate, water kefir is a drink even our bubbas will enjoy.
What is Water Kefir?
Water kefir is probiotic drink made using a water kefir grains mixed into sugar water to ferment. There are variations like the coconut kefir, milk kefir and many others but we like the water kefir because it is easier and faster to make (it takes less than 15 minutes). The water kefir grains contain beneficial bacteria and yeasts which metabolize the sugar, turning it into beneficial acids and infusing it with beneficial microorganisms, additional B vitamins as well as food enzymes.
What are Water Kefir Grains?
Water kefir grains are small, translucent, gelatinous grains and are comprised of assorted bacteria and yeasts which gives them their characteristic crystal-like appearance. The water kefir grains contain the bacteria and yeasts to turn sugar water into probiotic-rich beverage and will continue to grow and reproduce indefinitely. It takes 24-48 hours to ferment water kefir so if the fermentation is too fast, you can keep a portion of the water kefir grains in a glass jar and keep them in a refrigerator.
Water Kefir Benefits
Water kefir promotes gut health and systemic wellness. The beneficial bacteria in the water kefir grains eat away at the sugar in the sugar water, and as they metabolize the sugar, they produce a variety of beneficial acids, food enzymes, B vitamins and more beneficial bacteria – reducing the sugar level of the drink. Click HERE to buy water kefir grains.
WHAT YOU NEED
- Water Kefir Grains (3 teaspoons)
- 1 glass jar
- 1 stainless steel or wood stirring utensils
- 1 towel, paper towel or paper coffee filter for covering the jar
- 1 band to secure the covering
- 1 fine mesh strainer for removing grains from the fermented water kefir
INGREDIENTS
- 1/2 cup filtered water to dissolve the sugar (warm)
- 1/4 cup cane sugar or organic sugar
- 3 cups of water (normal room temperature)
Now that you have made your first water kefir, it’s time to have some fun with the second fermentation (F2) by adding flavours. You can add any fruits – strawberries, water melon or even apple juice – to make it taste better.
Have fun and have a great gut fauna!