Info on dehydrating, shipping and rehydrating kefir grains

[big brown horse]

My kefir has a layer of "kefir-cream" at the top when it is done, I just mix it in and drink it.

I am going to put it in my smoothie

I didn't even think twice about how gross that sounded.

 

[Dace]

since mine is not quite ready yet, the dog and chickens are enjoying it!

 

[ORChick]

Dace, if you strain your kefir with your fingers you can easily feel the difference between the grains and the kefir curds. If there is any question just squeeze - the curds will disintegrate, the grains will stay whole, and feel kind of spongy. If you miss a few small ones, no matter; make sure you keep the big one(s), and they will eventually grow. You started with dehydrated grains, right? They will take a while to get to the the multiplying point, but they will eventually get there.

 

[Dace]

Thanks ORchick....I am starting to get it now

I just can't wait till I can drink the stuff....it just still smells like milk that has been left out all night rather than kefir.
The critters are enjoying it though

 

[Dace]

Ok how do I know when my kefir is kefir?

I am thinking it is ready, but not sure! I don't think it will hurt me to consume it even if it is not quite as potent as it will get right??

Edited to add....I think I put the grain in milk on Sat 12/5....so it has only been a week and it was dehydrated. It is plump but I am not sure if it gets plumper.

 

[delia_peterson]

 

[ORChick]

Ok how do I know when my kefir is kefir?

I am thinking it is ready, but not sure! I don't think it will hurt me to consume it even if it is not quite as potent as it will get right??

Edited to add....I think I put the grain in milk on Sat 12/5....so it has only been a week and it was dehydrated. It is plump but I am not sure if it gets plumper.

Dace, if it smells like something you wouldn't mind ingesting then it is just fine. When I first re-hydrated some dried grains it took about 5-7 days before it smelled OK; the first few days it was actually quite foul, I wouldn't even give it to the chickens. And, when you say that you put the grain in milk a week ago, I assume that you have been changing the milk every day, right?

 

[Dace]

Yes! Changing it every day ,but it seemed different somehow today, like it was smoother and thicker sooner. I am hoping that is a good sign!

 

[big brown horse]

Sounds like it is close to being ready Dace!! Remember it was only partially dehydrated so it shouldn't take quite as long as a completely dehydrated grain.


I don't think it would hurt to try the kefir at this point...

 

[Dace]

Ok BBH....I will put it in my smoothie tomorrow morning. If I go MIA you know what happened death by kefir!