KEFIR GRAINS

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Would you like to make a real and fresh kefir at home? 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s a very simple process and does not take much time at all. You only need milk, kefir grains, a jar or a pitcher, and a strainer to separate kefir from grains. One tea spoon of grains in a pint jar will easily convert milk into delicious and tasty kefir in less than 24 hours. Kefir will gain extra smoothness after it stayed in the refrigerator for extra 18-24 hours.

Two methods of making a kefir.

 

The traditional method is by adding kefir grains (2-10%) to milk that was previously pasteurized and cooled to 68-77 Fahrenheit (20-25 Celsius) for about 24 hours. After fermentation process grains are removed by filtration and kefir is ready for consumption.   Second method “Russian method” uses a series of two fermentations.In the first step culture is prepared by incubating milk with grains (2-3%)

   for about 24 hours than grains removed and resulting mother culture is added to milk (1-3%) which is fermented for 12-18 hours.                                                      

 

How is kefir different from yogurt? 

Kefir is different from fermented milk yogurt that it can be made only using kefir grains that contain a complex mixture of both lactic acid bacteria and yeasts. This gives kefir a unique organoleptic characteristics and

excellent

protective qualities by keeping putrefying bacteria that might otherwise colonize the milk

. The distinctive properties that set apart kefir and yogurt are small amounts of CO2, alcohol, and  aromatic molecules produced as a result of a dual fermentation of lactic acid bacteria and yeast.

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

Why kefir is such a healthy drink that can be used as a treatment of some medical conditions?

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Due to antibiotic and anti-fungal properties of kefir, it can be used in the treatment of such conditions like metabolic disorders, atherosclerosis, allergies, poor digestion, constipation, hypertension and helps to balance gut micro-flora to kill Candida Albicans.

Tryptophan amino acid abundant in kefir and well known for its relaxing effect on the nervous system. In addition kefir has an abundance of calcium and magnesium, very important minerals for a healthy nervous system.. For this reason kefir in the diet can have a particularly calming effect on the nerves.

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is a good site that tells a lot more about kefir and its benefits. http://www.torontoadvisors.com/Kefir/article1.htm