Kefir Water/Soda

I cannot say enough about the health benefits of fermented foods.  WE are the only culture that does not consume fermented foods on a regular basis and I for one, would like to change that!!!  They work even better than a probiotic, in my opinion, as I have experienced personally.

 

KEFIR WATER

Kefir water has been life changing for me.  I have struggled for so long with digestive issues and this has made the biggest impact!

Kefir is a cultured and microbal-rich food that helps to restore our friendly bacteria.   It contains strains of beneficial yeast and beneficial bacteria that give Kefir antibiotic properties.  It’s essentially a natural antibiotic!  My daughter had oral surgery this past week and instead of administering the antibiotic prescribed, we combined Kefir water with large doses of bioavailable echinacea to prevent any infection.

 

You will need:

*Water Kefir grains (I order them from Cultures for Health..link is at the bottom)

Strainer

Bowl

Raw Sugar

Filtered water (if using tap water it must be boiled and then brought to room temperature)

1 quart glass jar

1. To hydrate the grains bring 1/2 cup of water to just boiling.

2. In a 1 quart glass jar, dissolve 1/4 cup raw sugar into the hot water.

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3. Add 3 cups cool water to the sugar water mixture.

4.  Make sure the water is cool and then add the grains.

5. Cover with a cheesecloth and store in a warm, dark place (between 65 and 80 degrees) Soak for  3-4 days or  until the grains are plump.

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6. Strain the liquid and discard.  Rinse your grains.

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7. Now your grains are plump and ready.

8. To a clean quart sized ball jar, dissolve 1/4 cup raw sugar in 1/2 cup of boiling water.  kefir water4

9.  Fill your jar to the top with cool filtered water.  Cover again with cheesecloth.  (I use a rubber band to hold the cheesecloth in place.)  Check water in 24 hours and if it is not cloudy, allow to sit for another day.  Do not let your kefir sit for more that 72 hours or you might starve the grains.  They are living and need to be fed!  Fermentation happens best away from sunlight so I store mine in my herb cabinet where it is dark.

10.  Again, strain the grains and you now have Kefir Water.

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11.  Store your Kefir Water in a sealed container in the fridge unless you are going to make kefir soda.

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To make Kefir soda: 

1.  1 quart Kefir Water

2.  Fruit Juice to fill container (citrus juice does not work well for this)

3.  Mix the two in a jar and put a lid on it and let it sit on the countertop for up to 5 days.  It will now be quite fizzy but if you leave it on the counter for too long it will begin to taste and smell like beer.  Believe me, I have made this mistake:)

It will keep in the fridge for up to 7 days.  This is a great way for your family to enjoy soda with many health benefits!!

CHEERS!!!  Here’s to better digestion!

*Water Kefir grains can be purchased online at Cultures for Health.