Kefir question

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Can you use kefir from the store as a starter for making your own at home? I know it works with yogurt, and the price of kefir culture is rude. Anyone tried this and have any luck? Sue

-- Sue (sulandherb@aol.com), July 07, 2000

Answers

Sue:

Please educate me. The only reference I can find to kefir is in the dictionary. It says it is a tart-tasting drink originating in the Caucasus, made from cow's or sometimes goat's milk to which the bacteria Streptococcus and Lactobacllius have been added. Name origin implies it is milk curdled in an animal skin. Is this what you have in mind. I'm curious.

-- Ken Scharabok (scharabo@aol.com), July 11, 2000.


Ok. This is what I found out! The short answer is no, you can't use store bought kefir to make more. Kefir is a fermented milk, like yogurt, but using different bacteria than yogurt does. Kefir bacteria grows as a large, grain like clump. When dropped into milk, this feeds on the sugars of the milk, and the grain grows and the milk turns into what we call kefir. The grain can then be removed, rinsed and used in another batch of milk. I did not find any source for these grains. What I did find was powdered kefir culture, which you add to milk, but never remove (that would be a neat trick!) For each new batch of kefir, you need to purchase new starter. Bottom line...I'm still looking for a source of the grain, so I don't have to keep purchasing powdered starter! Please keep your eyes open in your travels!! Sue

-- Sue (sulandherb@aol.com), July 13, 2000.

I think I found a source for the grains, but it is in australia. I contacted this guy who says he'll send you some. His homepage is at:

http://www.chariot.net.au/~dna/kefirpage.html#grains

and his email is: dna@chariot.net.au

He hasn't contacted me yet, but I also found in his pages another source that I haven't tried yet either (I've been trying to get some of this for a while, and yesterday I found kefir with active culture in the natural supermarket but so far the milk is not fermenting! :o)

The other source appears to be:

G.E.M. Cultures Betty Stechmyer and Gordon McBride 30301 Sherwood Road, Fort Bragg, CA 95437, ph. 707 964-2922

Let me know if you have any luck

-- Marissa Vignali (mvignali@u.washington.edu), February 19, 2001.


You can purchase starter for 1.95 makes 2 quarts, also Kefir grains and a book on Kefier is new in the Hoeggers Supply Catalog, 770-461- 5398. By far not the cheapest of catalogs, but if they have it others do also. Here are some others, I use for cheese equipment and information, not sure on the kefier though. Vicki

http://www.leeners.com/cheese.html http://www.cheesemaking.com/

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), February 19, 2001.


When I drink the storebought kefir, it seemd to have soft lumps in it. Perhaps these are the grains, and you could strain them out and use them to make more?

-- Rebekah (daniel1@itss.net), February 20, 2001.


I have used powdered kefir culture to make one quart, then I make consecutive quarts by mixing about 2Tbs. of that kefir with more milk in a fresh jar, gently shaking it, and let it incubate on the counter as directed. That way you can get a lot of kefir from the 3 dollar packet (makes 6 quarts). Eventually the culture will deteriorate -- you can tell when it doesn't taste as good. Then just start up a fresh packet. "Yogourmet" makes an inexpensive product. I get mine from a local co-op, but I saw it on the web.

-- Rina (RobnRina@centurytel.net), January 15, 2002.

I got some Kefier grain fom this saite last year it is in Australia Thay say thay sent oversees http://www.ozebiz.com.au/wmw/kefir_net.html

Sylvia

-- Sylvia Sauppe (sylviasauppe@hotmail.com), March 12, 2002.


I just this week ran across dom's kefir in site about kefir. Found another site that can help you. www.torontoadvisors.com Go to their database and then to search for grains. It lists people from around the world. I emailed two closer people. One said she charges $5 for shipping. The other didnt mention any cost just wanted my address, and said she would mail them. But even at 5 dollars, you would only have to buy once. Hope that helps. Susan.

-- Susan WIllhoite (sbwillhoite@mchsi.com), May 09, 2002.

Oops. Going to www.torontoadvisors.com didnt take me where i wanted it to. I found the share your grains site through a search. Search for "kefir grains" and look in the url for torontoadvisors.com. Sorry I dont know how else to get there. Hope you can find it.Susan

-- Susan Willhoite (sbwillhoite@mchsi.com), May 09, 2002.

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