Organic Water kefir - how to brew
Please keep in mind if you are new to water kefir it may take several batches before your grains become accustomed to your home and make consistent water kefir.
We use organic black molasses hence the brown grains colour. We strongly believe this is superior than refined white sugar.
The first batch of water kefir that you brew might not have so much activity.
This is completely normal and due to the shock of travel, it may take them time to begin growing. Making water kefir is not an exact science and it’s best to experiment to see what works best for you.
Water kefir grains function best on a combination of white sugar and dried fruits, or a combination of white sugar and less processed sugar (whole cane, brown, molasses, etc). 3 parts refined sugar to 1 part unrefined sugar is a good ratio to start with.
If you add dried fruits, such as apricots or raisins, make sure they are unsulphured. A handful per quart is all you will need.
Notes: Try not to use tap water because it contains chemicals such as chlorine and fluoride. They will harm your grains over time. Most water filters will not effectively remove fluoride or other impurities. Do not let your grains come in contact with metal, prolonged exposure will harm them. Always use glass, plastic or wood when handling your grains to keep them safe.
3 glasses of water (750ml)
4 tablespoons sugar
4 tablespoons organic water kefir grains (as supplied)
Combine the water and sugar and stir until the sugars are completely dissolved. Pour the sugar solution into a quart size jar or container. Gently place the grains into the sugar solution. You can add any fruits now. Cover with a non-air tight lid (to avoid possible, but unlikely explosion as the carbon dioxide builds up) and allow to brew in room temperature for 24 to 72 hours. Cheese cloth works great as a breathable cover. Place the water kefir mixture on a counter away from direct sunlight. When the water kefir is done brewing, simply strain the grains out and enjoy the beverage. There is no need to rinse your grains in-between batches.
One teaspoon of molasses will help promote growth. A basic recipe using 4 tablespoons of white sugar and 1 teaspoon to a tablespoon of blackstrap molasses will help if you are having difficulties getting your grains active. To get your final water kefir carbonated, you will need to bottle it in an airtight container, jar or bottle for about 2 to 5 days at room temperature. Have fun! If you are keen please research on second fermentation. This is where the fun starts. Enjoy!