What a huge difference from the powdered version! The first batch I made of kefir with cow's milk I used Yogourmet's powdered kefir starter. Part of the reason I'm using the kefir is because I'm lactose intolerant and the kefir is an inexpensive type of yogurt drink with lots of probiotics that's easy on the stomach. Well, over the course of a day I worked the quart of yogourmet's kefir into my diet. Not a good idea. I was sick for 24 hours because the powdered version didn't devour enough of the lactose sugars in the milk. With the kefir grains, I didn't have to boil the milk and within 24 hours I had kefir I could use right away. I have now had three quarts with no side effects, and I'm finding I really like the flavor. It's very mild, although the texture isn't as creamy. But I think the lighter texture is also because I'm using 1% milk versus the goat's milk I used for the hot cocoa recipe earlier. Haven't tried to make this into hot cocoa yet. I haven't drank milk since I was a kid. Now what am I going to do with all of those $2 Silk coupons you gave me Maridith? :-) I've been drinking the kefir straight with meals and also using it to replace both the soymilk and yogurt in my smoothies. The kefir grains from Marilyn also came with great recipes on how to use it to make sourdough, since the kefir beverage can replace the yeast in the recipe. So something else to try.
Now the only problem I'm having is that my kefir grains are converting one quart of milk every day. I'm using 1% milk but that's still way more dairy fat than I'm used to and it will start to get expensive. I haven't figured out how to handle this. I put it in the fridge to slow it down but apparently that doesn't make the kefir grains very happy. So if anyone wants to buy freshly made kefir beverage from me, I will have a few quarts available each week. Bring your own container and I'll only charge you $2 a quart to cover the expense of the milk. I'm pretty sure that's much less expensive than you'll find it at Trader Joe's or Whole Foods. When the kefir grains start to double I'm happy to share those for free.
This is so interesting and not surprisingly I have never heard of kefir in my life. So it eats the lactose or makes it easier to digest?
ReplyDeleteI see you will not need those coupons any more. Maybe some else out there will need them! I still have bunches!!
Actually, after I thought about it, I believe you can also use the kefir grains with soy milk. I know they can be convinced to work in water with some persuasion. I will try the soy milk soon. Those coupons are awesome!
ReplyDeleteYes, kefir really is amazing stuff. No one knows where it originated but think it was somewhere in Caucasus Mountains in Europe. The grains are a living organism like a yeast and they survive and literally grow in part by eating the lactose sugars in milk as the milk ferments. It's even better for your digestive tract than yogurt. Let me know if you want to try some!
I find milk kefir very interesting, too. I use milk kefir to leaven pizza, bread and bagels. So far in addition to the benefits of drinking milk kefir, there also are benefits of using milk kefir to leaven any baked products. Thanks for your post.
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