Water kefir is a delightful probiotic beverage that resembles that of a mild soda. In my home it is a fabulous way for my kids to have a ‘fun’ beverage while getting health benefits. I love when that happens! I wasn’t sure when I first heard about water kefir if it would be any good, I must say I was rather quizzical. Once I finally tried it the initial batch was intriguing. After a few batches of perfecting my hand at brewing water kefir, I was sold and so were my kids.
I first started serving this to my kids to find a way to get more probiotic options into our diet. At the time one of my kids would not eat or drink any of the probiotic foods I prepared other than bread and butter pickles. Thankfully, he loved the water kefir and it has since helped him open his mind to trying kombucha. Water kefir is a great first start for those new to fermented beverages. It’s also a great option for those who are dairy free.
Consuming water kefir a great way to help your gut flora thrive and bring you increased immunity through improving digestion. It’s an energizing beverage as well and has been said to promote many health benefits. I feel very good about serving water kefir to my kids and they love the taste. Some of the benefits include;
- a great way to obtain beneficial bacteria, minerals and enzymes.
- soothes intestinal lining and helps to heal any inflammation
- helps to detoxify and cleanse the liver
- gives you more energy
- can help with skin conditions, acne, eczema, and overall just improve health of skin and hair
- beneficial for the nervous system – try giving to kids with attention disorders!
- great for the endocrine system as well, could really support women’s cycles
- did I mention it’s very affordable and easy to make and your kids will love it!
The kefir grains can be purchased online or through finding someone local to you (like me!) that you can purchase grains from, or get some from a friend. The grains, or symbiotic colonies of bacteria and yeasts, feed well on mineral rich sugar water. I have found that the grains are happiest with plenty of added minerals. The quality of your water is very important, it’s best to use water that has chlorine and fluoride removed. If using reverse osmosis or distilled you will want to add some minerals back in. If using well water you may not need as many minerals added to your water. It will be somewhat of an art to figure out just what works for you.
Tibicos~ Water Kefir~ Kefir Soda
Makes 1 gallon water kefir
1-1 1/2 cups water kefir grains (see photo on right)
2/3 cups organic dark brown sugar, rapadura, sucanat
1-2 tsp. organic unsulfured blackstrap molasses (optional, but do this at least every few times you brew)
1/4 tsp. bicarbonate of soda (if you do not have hard water or mineral rich water – helps with the ph of the water and the fizzy outcome)
20 drops concentrace mineral drops or 2 egg shells rinsed and dried out
Mix water and sugar in a gallon jar with the best quality water you can obtain, this will help to ensure keeping your grains alive and healthy. Stir to dissolve sugar. Add in the grains, put on the lid, place in a cupboard and let ferment for 48 hours. The brew should be fizzy and slightly tart. Strain out to remove grains and place in airtight bottles that have an airlock for a second ferment which is the flavoring part of the process. You will add your flavor ingredients to the brew and allow to ferment for another 48 hours maximum to avoid turning into alcohol. Do not flavor your water kefir in the first ferment with the grains. This can effect the growth of your grains, so it is important to do a second ferment with the grains removed to flavor your water kefir.
Flavor addition options;
- Cream soda – 1/2 cup raisins and 1 vanilla bean or a good pour of homemade vanilla. Add another pinch of bicarbonate of soda if you want to induce fizz.
- Italian Cream Soda – to your finished cream soda add a splash of raw cream to your glass to mimic those fancy Italian Cream soda drinks at coffee shops! Mmmm……..
- GingerAle – 2-4 tablespoons grated ginger root, 1/2-1 cup organic raisins or 4 chopped and pitted dates.
- Lemon/Lime Spritzer – 4-6 limes juiced, zest of 1-2 limes
You can also kefir fresh juices, such as apple cider as well as coconut water. Set aside a batch of water kefir grains specifically for each alternative type of brew you will make. Such as grains for apple cider and grains for coconut water. Once you have brewed your cider or coconut water, place the grains back in a jar with a sugar solution to store them and refeed them with their preferred ‘food’.
The possibilities are endless! This will keep your family intrigued and having fun all while getting some awesome health benefits! Here’s to your health – drink up!
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Thank you for the flavoring and second ferment idea. We only do the first ferment, refrigerate, and use in our smoothies. Ours has never gotten fizzy. I think I’ll try your second ferment with flavorings. Is that in the refrigerator or on the counter?
You’re welcome Christy! I do my second ferment for at least one more day on the counter, however if you obtain adequate fizziness you can go ahead and refrigerate it with the flavor still in it. You can also try the wire stopper bottles, you can get at local brewing supply stores or Ikea to help with the carbonation. (though some suggest it’s dangerous and you may risk having your bottles explode, I think it’s a safe option if you are paying close attention and the temperature is not too warm in your home!) Hope that helps!
I’ve been making water kefir for about six months or so now. I found that it got super fizzy this summer when we were sans a/c for a time. I guess it liked the heat.
It was also fizzier when I added lemons, but that made the grains slow their growth.
Right now I’ve just been using ginger.
I use the basic recipe as you have outlined but only use the baking soda or trace minerals, not both. I also add sliced lemon, sliced ginger and an organic dried fig or apricot (or two) to the first mix. After the 48 hour ferment, I strain the grains and toss the fruit. Then I add up to 1 cup of organic apple juice to the mixture and ferment another day or two. This gives us the taste we prefer. If you drop a couple of raisins into this 2nd mix, you’ll know when they float to the top that the ferment is done.
Hey Bob- good point about adding the raisins and that when they float it means it’s done! I have not yet tried adding juice to mine since I don’t want to add to the sugar content, but I may try kefiring some apple cider since it is in season right now.
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