What's a kefir grain--the culture medium, or starter, that's used to make kefir? I do like kefir.

When we had the tofu business we had an incubator that I used to make yogurt and also a Scandinavian cultured milk product called viili or viilia. The starter was hard to find, as I recall, but the end result was really delicious.

I had to look it up, I never heard of it.
And I'm still not sure of what it is.

Here is a link that might be useful: Kefir grains

Sounds interesting. I too have never heard of it. Thanks.

What it does is turn ordinary milk into a thicker yogurt like substance. Not quite as thick as yogurt.... It is so good in a smoothie... I used blueberries, strawberries, nectarines, peaches, pears, cinnamon apples, just all sorts of goodies to make them.. and to sweeten it a bit, I used either Stevia or Splenda... It is so much less costly than yogurt and tastes 10 times better.. My Bob will not even touch yogurt, but he loves these smoothies..

I think you can order Kefir Grains online... but they tend to multiply so you can always share them with folks or make cheese with them. My friend makes just the best cheese like product using herbs and garlic.. yummmmyyyyy.. especially with crackers on put into a nice dip.

A great way to help keep yourself healthy..

Carolyn

carolyn.....what changes have you noticed since ingesting kefir?

How are you keeping the kefir....in a glass of milk in the frig? Then the milk has the necessary bacteria for using in your shake?

Can you use rice milk or almond milk?

Nicole, I've only been doing Kefir smoothies for a couple of weeks, but now I don't get gas as bad as I did before, and I can 'go' more regularly, which is super good for old folks like me. I find that if I use it to replace a meal, such as breakfast or lunch, I feel fuller longer and have lost a couple of pounds without even trying. My cardiologist and I were discussing it before I started useing it to be sure there would be no adverse affects with my heart meds.. and he said it should help me lower my cholesterol too.. but if I ever need to take any antibiotics, then I have to stop doing the kefir smoothies for the duration.. He also said it just may help regulate my BP as well.. and so for me to keep a journal and let him know so he can make changes as necessary, especially if I am going to continue using the grains...
I made a small drink this evening using a bit of kefir milk and honey... it was soooo good.. It's like using Activia but less costly and tastes way better imho...

I keep my Kefir in a glass jar in the refrig, but then when I want Kefir milk I just take it out and add a quart or so of whole milk.. or skim milk.. but I really prefer the whole milk better.. tastes better.. and leave the jar on the counter for 18 to 24 hours.. and then strain the grains out of the milk.... but cannot use any metal strainers as it adversly affects the grains.. My friend said to wash the grains about once a month using spring water, and NOT city water. The chemicals in the city water will harm the grains..
She told me the grains will multiply so I can share them or make cheese with them....

Carol, I haven't used anything but cows milk, so I really don't know about rice or almond milk... I do know she uses coconut milk on occasion just to do something different.. so maybe they would be okay..

Carolyn

Thanks Carolyn!

My DH eats a yogurt every day, so I'm thinking this is about the same....only cheaper? Activia as I understand it is "yogurt" with extra advertising of the benefits.