The Skinny on Kefir

Like other fermented products, kefir is a popular fixture in the health and wellness community. Have you tried it yet?

What is it?

Kefir is a cultured dairy product which can be made from both plant-based and animal milk alike. Similar in consistency to drinkable yogurt, kefir is rich in probiotics and nutrients which are beneficial for digestion and gut health. To make kefir, you need to start with kefir cultures usually called grains, a combination of bacteria and yeast, which react with the milk to make this tart fermented drink.

Benefits of Kefir

Like other fermented foods, kefir is host to good bacteria which restore and balance gut flora and can help manage gastrointestinal issues like irritable bowel syndrome. Drinking kefir also has other beneficial secondary effects like improving skin, boosting the immune system, and improving lactose digestion in adults with lactose intolerance. Whole milk kefir is a good source of calcium and all forms of kefir contains vitamin K2, which aids in calcium absorption and is important for bone health in general. It’s also rich in nutrients, including vitamins B12, B2, and magnesium.

Kefir VS Yogurt

But aren’t kefir and yogurt basically the same thing? Well, while they might seem very similar, there are several key differences including how they’re made, the strains of bacteria present, and flavor and consistency. Kefir contains far more probiotics as well as yeasts which you won’t find in yogurt. And, the beneficial bacteria present in kefir can actually colonize the gut, whereas those found in yogurt are transient and don’t hang around. Since kefir and yogurt contain different strains of bacteria, they’re also cultured differently. Kefir is cultured at room temperature but yogurt needs to be heated.

Making Kefir at Home

Making Kefir at home is actually refreshingly simple. The hardest part is likely to be getting your hands on genuine kefir starter grains. If you’re not fussy, you can pick up a pack of kefir starter powder at many health food stores which are designed for making kefir but contain fewer strains of bacteria and generally weaken after they’ve been used a few times.

The ideal way to secure fresh kefir grains is to ask someone you know that already makes kefir to gift you some. If that’s not possible you can order them online, but bear in mind, they can become distressed or even die if they aren’t fed in a timely fashion. They are alive after all! Once you’ve sourced your kefir grains, all you need to do is add milk, leave to ferment at room temperature, flavor if you’re feeling fancy, and store.