Instructions
#Start fermenting as soon as you received your grains. It takes a few batches for grains to acclimatise to your environment and consistency is the key to success.
Acclimatisation Step for first 3 batches Only:
1. Pour 125 ml of milk into a jar. If you are adding the growth premix or colostrum, you can add these ingredients at this point and mix well.
3. Add the 5 g of milk kefir grains. Loosely close lid.
4. Leave on the counter out of the direct sunlight or in a cupboard (preferably at 21 to 30 degrees celsius) for 12 to 48 hours (in hot weather, if ferments faster) - taste it as you go to get a feel for what 1 day milk kefir and 2 days milk kefir tastes like. The longer you leave to ferment, the more tart and more separated the kefir milk will be.
The ideal kefir should smell yeasty, taste slightly tart and just starts to separate to curds and whey.
5. Shake the bottle regularly during fermentation ( a good way to remember is every time you walk pass)*
6. After 12 to 48 hours (depending on your tastes), strain the kefir milk through a mesh strainer (or the in-built strainer if you have a Kefirko kefir maker), pouring the milk kefir into another container. If using a strainer, it helps to push the kefir milk through by stirring with a wooden spoon to leave only the milk grains behind.
Ongoing Steps After Acclimatisation phase has been completed:
1. Pour 250 ml of milk into a jar. If you are adding the growth premix or colostrum, you can add these ingredients at this point and mix well.
3. Add the 5 to 10 g of milk kefir grains. Loose cover jar with lid. If using a kefir maker leave lid slightly open.
**To keep alcohol as low as possible, ferment with kefir maker lid slightly open
4. Leave on the counter out of the direct sunlight or in a cupboard (preferably at 20 to 30 degrees celsius) for 12 to 48 hours (in hot weather, if ferments faster) - taste it as you go to get a feel for what 1 day milk kefir and 2 days milk kefir tastes like. The longer you leave to ferment, the more tart and more separated the kefir milk will be.
The ideal kefir should smell yeasty, taste slightly tart and just starts to separate to curds and whey.
5. Shake the bottle regularly during fermentation ( a good way to remember is every time you walk pass)*
6. After 12 to 48 hours (depending on your tastes), strain the milk kefir through a mesh strainer (or the in-built strainer if you have a Kefirko kefir maker), pouring the kefir milk into another container. If using a strainer, it helps to push the milk kefir through by stirring with a wooden spoon to leave only the milk grains behind
7. You may drink the kefir as is, or as per below, you may further ripen the kefir (see below).
8. To make a new batch of kefir, add these retrieved grains to fresh milk and repeat the process.
9. Bottle and store your kefir milk refrigerated.
10. You may also chose to second ferment as per instructions here to improve to flavour, texture and nutritive value.
*Shaking the fermenting kefir prevents the formation of yeasts and acetobacter colonies from forming on the surface. If colonies form they will appear as a light-brown wavy film. Skim this off, discard the film and use the kefir.
Ripened Kefir (optional)
Once you’ve strained out the kefir grains, you may choose to ripen kefir at room temperature for a day or two prior to consuming it. Ripening will increase some of the B group vitamins. As the kefir ripens, the thick creamy kefir floats above the watery whey. Shake or stir to blend the ingredients. Once it has ripened, refrigerate it.
Learn how to Second Ferment
Dosage
We recommend starting with a tablespoon and working up to consuming one cup per day.
Storage
When you are not fermenting, milk kefir grains need to be kept refrigerated by placing in fresh milk for up to 2 week in fridge. Milk kefir grains can also be frozen for up to 2 years by first mixing with milk powder and sealing in a zip lock bag. Please note that the grains coming out of cold storage will take a few batches before returning to original potency.
Prepared Milk kefir is best consumed with 2 weeks.
**Advisory Statement
All fermented foods may contain trace amounts of alcohol. If fermented foods are being prepared for children, breastfeeding mothers, or pregnant women please seek medical advice from a trained medical practitioner before consuming these products.
To keep alcohol as low as possible, make sure that:
- consume within 24 hours as alcohol content will increase over time in refrigerated storage