How to make water kefir or milk kefir?

Place 1-2 tablespoons of milk kefir grains in a glass jar. Add 2 cups of whole milk (cow, goat, or sheep). Cover loosely with a cloth or lid placed on top (not sealed). Let sit at room temperature for 24 hours. Strain through a plastic or nylon mesh strainer to separate grains from kefir. Drink the…

Dissolve 1/4 cup sugar in 4 cups non-chlorinated water. Cool to room temperature and add 3 tablespoons of water kefir grains. Cover with a cloth, secure with a rubber band, and ferment 24-48 hours. Strain out the grains. The liquid is a mildly sweet, lightly fizzy probiotic drink.

Live kefir grains can be purchased online from sellers on Etsy, Amazon, or specialty sites like Cultures for Health ($8-20). You can also find them for free through local fermentation communities, Facebook groups, or Craigslist — experienced kefir makers always have surplus grains to share.

Blend finished kefir with fruit (berries, mango, banana), a drizzle of honey or maple syrup, and optionally a handful of spinach for a nutrient-dense probiotic smoothie. Water kefir can be flavored in a second fermentation by adding fruit juice to sealed bottles for 1-2 days.

If you cannot find grains, use store-bought plain kefir as a starter. Add 2-3 tablespoons of store-bought kefir to 2 cups of milk, cover, and let sit at room temperature for 24 hours. The live cultures in the kefir will ferment the fresh milk. Repeat by saving some from each batch as starter.