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How to Make Water Kefir




Yum

March 10, 2014 by Andrea Fabry 6 Comments

water kefir

This nourishing probiotic drink makes a wonderful alternative to conventional soda and juice. It’s also cheap! Once you obtain the grains, your cost is simply the sugar.

Water kefir requires three essential ingredients: starter, sugar and water. Don’t worry if sugar is not part of your daily diet. The sugar is “eaten” by the grains or starter, and the drink transforms into a nice boost to your immune system.

Andrea Fabry
How to Make Water Kefir - by Andrea Fabry [Budget Friendly]
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Ingredients

  • 3 c. water
  • 3 tbsp. sugar (a combination of molasses and sugar is ideal: 1 tbls molasses 2 tbls sugar)
  • 3 tbsp. water kefir grains

Instructions

  1. Combine water and sugar; stir until dissolved.
  2. Add a pinch of sea salt and/or baking soda if you are not using molasses to ensure the grains get plenty of minerals.
  3. Pour sugar solution into quart-size container or jar.
  4. Add water kefir grains.
  5. Cover with a breathable cover such as cheesecloth and place on the counter at room temperature away from direct sunlight for 48 hours.
  6. Strain the grains. (Reserve the grains for the next batch or store them.)
  7. Add desired flavorings to the fermented water such as fruit or ginger.*
  8. Cap the lid tightly.
  9. Place on the counter for additional 24 hours to develop flavor and add carbonation. The grains will slowly multiply. You may store these in a mild sugar solution in the fridge or pass the extras along to a friend.
6.6.15
https://it-takes-time.com/2014/03/10/how-to-make-water-kefir/

*Other possible additions include:

  • Cinnamon Sticks
  • Vanilla
  • Raspberries
  • Cranberries
  • Peeled ginger
  • Slice of organic lemon
  • Figs
  • Dates
  • Fresh mint
  • Fresh fennel

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Filed Under: Fermented Foods, Foodie, Recipes Tagged With: how to, water kefir

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Comments

  1. Aban Ong says

    February 19, 2015 at 9:09 am

    I am interested to make water kefir . Where is a good source to get water kefir grains ?
    Do we need to buy organic ? Thank you so much.

    Reply
    • Andrea Fabry says

      February 19, 2015 at 10:13 am

      I have some to offer if you want to email me directly: andrea@it-takes-time.com I don’t worry too much about organic. If the grains are thriving that’s enough of a sign in my mind.

      Reply
  2. Ruth Ruddock says

    January 29, 2016 at 7:43 am

    Andrea, we are planning to try this water kefir recipe as soon as we can get the grains. Question: Since we are concerned about GMO, how can we be sure that the grains are not contaminated with GMO?
    Also wanted to let you know that my Mycotoxin panel test results are in…all are negative! I am feeling quite relieved. Waited a long time for this testing and Medicare covers it, if one has the original Medicare coverage.
    Ruth

    Reply
    • Andrea Fabry says

      January 29, 2016 at 9:09 am

      Nice to hear, Ruth. The grains are clusters of bacteria and yeast and are not technically grains. I have no worries about GMOs, but the sugar could be genetically modified, which is why I suggest organic.

      Reply
  3. Courtney Polak says

    August 24, 2016 at 4:31 am

    I am trying to cut all sugar out of my diet can I use stevia, monk fruit or something else?

    Reply
    • Andrea Fabry says

      August 24, 2016 at 9:55 am

      We have completely cut out sugar. For a fermented beverage like this sugar is the food and the alternative sweeteners are not. Because they don’t have carbs and the sugar they can’t transform sweetened water into something healthy like this. Most of the sugar is consumed by the grains. The final product is not sweet so you will be able to tell if most of the sugar is gone. This is the same principle as brewing kombucha.

      Reply

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MEET ANDREA

I am a certified Building Biology Advocate, a former journalist, mother of nine, and avid CrossFitter who likes to think outside the box. After our family's health crisis in 2008, I learned to ask questions about what's in our food, our water, and our air. I hope to empower you as you seek to live safely in a complex world. Thankfully, small steps lead to big changes. Let's travel this road together, one step at a time.

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