Water kefir grains?

[Naoko]

Does anybody know of any UK stores,or websites that sell these,I have heard of the great probiotic benefits they give you,but all I have found so far are american sites,I have yet to check my local healthstore.

[Kirsteen]

I haven't been able to find them anywhere so if you find a supplier please share it with us. I even tried to join the Yahoo group as the blurb said members could pass them on to newcomers but that was months ago and my request to join is still 'pending'. Either they're not very active or they've heard about me and run for cover :614::614: :614::614: :614::614:

[Jax]

Are these any good to you guys, I should imagine that if the Kefir Shop didn't have what you wanted that you could email to ask them to get some in??

Kefir Shop (http://www.kefirshop.co.uk/shop.htm)

Ebay at the moment (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Organic-Water-Kefir-Grain---Healthy-Probiotic-drinks_W0QQitemZ180468739804QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxq2 0100214?IMSfp=TL100214114002r1970)

Manna advertising on Gumtree (http://brighton.gumtree.com/brighton/00/50216400.html)

[Kirsteen]

Wow -Jax, you rock!! Thank you so much for this info. Ok I fancy the ones on Ebay and I could order them this Friday. Does anyone here have any experience with water kefir or kombucha because I fancy that too.

[Jax]

Glad to be of help ;);)

[Naoko]

Wheres the best place to get hold of those lovely glass jars for the water kefir? :D

[Jax]

Do you mean like the kilner jars?? If so I believe Tesco and Lakeland have some and Ikea definitely do them, they also have some nice other types too - search is here (http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/search/?query=storage+jar&pageNumber=3)

You might also be able to pick up different types on Freegle (new Freecycle) and Ebay sometimes ;)

[Jax]

Well after Naoko posted this I thought I'd give these little guys a go myself, and have had my first ever success at fermenting them. I left mine for longer than it stated in the instructions so that most of the sugar had gone, it left a very light and refreshing drink that everyone at the potluck today seemed to enjoy http://www.rawinuk.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

And as a lot of people were interested in it...........this is the thread with the links in that I was talking about http://www.rawinuk.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Oh and I'll just add that I bought my Kilner jar for £3 in Sainsbury's so there's another option for people.

[Jax]

EEEEEEK I've been doing really well but this batch (about my 6th) has developed a weird white scum on top :pout::pout::pout: Anyone got any ideas what may've happened??? :confused2:

[karen @rawchocolateheaven]

lol maybe they all burped at once xxxxxxx

[Jax]

Well it was reassuring today to see the ones I gave you from the same batch were okay! I've cleaned mine up and set them off again, so fingers crossed tehy don't misbeahve again!! :pout:

[Jax]

Well it was reassuring today to see the ones I gave you from the same batch were okay! I've cleaned mine up and set them off again, so fingers crossed they don't misbeahve again!! :pout:
Arrrgg they've done it again :pout::pout:

[Jax]

For those of you that want easy instructions on how to work with the grains, Ani Phyo has done a great informative video here;

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Water Kefir
Note: avoid metal. Metal damages probiotics and water kefir grains. Use only plastic spoons, measuring cups, and glass jars.


4 cups filtered water
1/3 cup organic cane juice crystals (sugar)
1 Tablespoon turbinado (brown)
2 pieces ginger
3 slices dried pear (unsulphured)
1/4 cup water kefir grains

Place water into a glass jar. Add sugars, ginger, pear, and stir. Add grains. Close lid, and store in cabinet for 48 hours to brew.
Pour brew through a plastic sieve to catch the grains. Remove ginger and pear. Store brew in glass bottles at room temperature to increase vitamin B levels. Or, store in fridge to chill.
Start your next batch immediately.

[Rawalchemist]

just seen these posts and wanted to share with you my kefir experience.

I was given my first batch of kefir on one of my raw food days but another rawbie who also brews kombucha...I found kombucha too faffy for my life so stuck with the kefir...much easier! :peace:

A few months later I have so much kefir on the go my fridge is full of it and I have 5 jars on the go at a time!

Now I have started to dehydrate the grains and have frozen some as well as they are supposed to be totally fine once reactivated.

I will have a go at activating them and let you know the results.

Luckily I now have the cafe as an outlet for the brewed kefir and it is on the menu...only place in Northampton to find water kefir available...how cool are we!!! :party0007:

If I have success with them I will have a supply available if anyone wants any xxx

[Jax]

That's brilliant Rawalchemist!! :victory:

So far I have given away 2 lots, and I think they are both still on the go :D I'd be very interested to see your results from freezing etc, and what recipe do you use for your kefir water??

[Jannifer]

Water kefir is also known as sugar grains. kefir grains, tibicos, tibi, or Japanese water crystals are ingredients. Water kefir also help to our digestive system.

[Jax]

Hmmm this looks good, especially for a coconut freak like myself!! http://www.rawinuk.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Coconut Kefir (http://www.therawdivas.com/blog/2011/04/try-coconut-kefir-to-clarify-your-skin/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=try-coconut-kefir-to-clarify-your-skin)



Stress can prompt a rosacea flare-up. Coconut kefir may decrease tension and subsequently, rosacea symptoms, as it’s rich in calcium and magnesium, minerals which maintain the nervous system. Also, coconut kefir is high in the essential amino acid ‘Tryptophan’ (a building block of protein), which has a calming affect on nerves.
Vitamin B deficiencies may be linked to rosacea outbreaks. So if you’re low in Vitamin B and suffer from rosacea, try adding kefir to your diet – it’s loaded with Vitamins B2 and B12 for skin health.
Lack of beneficial gut-bacteria (encouraged by factors like infection and pollution) can aggravate rosacea, along with eczema, psoriasis and acne. This is because good bacteria aid digestion, nutrient absorption and immunity, all required for healthy skin. Kefir cultures offer abundant microflora to balance your digestive system, which in turn, balances your skin.

How to make coconut kefir

In a glass or plastic jar, combine:


1L of coconut water
a can of coconut milk
kefir starter (available from health food stores)

Leave covered at room temperature for 24 hours. Stir and drink up!


If you find plain coconut kefir too sour, stir in some raw honey.
Or, add to a smoothie with banana and carob powder; their sweetness balances out kefir’s astringency…you’ll think you’re drinking a milkshake!

[Rawalchemist]

I'm going to attempt to defrost some grains today and make some almond kefir...will post the resulting recipe if it works out okay

[Jax]

Cool, would be very interested to see how that works out http://www.rawinuk.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

[Jax]

Just thought I'd add this for any water kefir fans, gives some inspiration for different flavours - Cultures for Health link (http://www.culturesforhealth.com/how-to-flavor-water-kefir-video).

I've personally always stuck to the lemon slice in the first fermentation, as I like the fresh zesty drink, but am now about to flex my kefir flavouring muscles and try something else :)