Make kefir from store-bought kefir as a starter

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.

Why It Works

Store-bought kefir contains live cultures that can ferment fresh milk, similar to using yogurt as a starter. However, this method produces a less diverse culture than real kefir grains, and the culture weakens over 5-7 batches.

Tips

• Use plain, unflavored kefir with "live active cultures" on the label
• The culture will weaken over generations — you may need to restart with fresh store-bought kefir every 5-7 batches
• Real kefir grains are superior for long-term kefir making but this works as a starting point
• Lifeway and Green Valley are widely available brands with live cultures