How do you make waterkefir?

Category: fermentation,Learn

Curious about the refreshing and nutritious world of water kefir? With its lively effervescence and fresh taste, water kefir is a great addition to your daily diet.

In this comprehensive blog post, we’ll show you how to make your own water kefir. Discover the simple steps to fermenting water kefir and learn more about the numerous health benefits that water kefir is known for. From supporting healthy digestion to strengthening your immune system, water kefir is a great way to improve your well-being.

We’ll also introduce you to the diverse flavors and textures of water kefir so you can understand why it’s so beloved by fermented beverage lovers around the world.

If you’re ready to delve into this exciting and tasty world of water kefir, read on and find out how to get started yourself!

What is waterkefir?

Water kefir is a fermented beverage made using “water kefir grains”. These grains look like translucent, jelly-like clusters. When they are added to a sugarly liquid, they ferment the mixture, creating a delightful drink with a mild sweet and sour flavor profile, a rich aroma and lots of bubbles. Water kefir is easy to make, ready in just a few days and has quite a few potential health benefits. Unlike the other kefir you might be familiar with, which is milk-based, water kefir is dairy-free, making it a delightful alternative for vegans and those with lactose intolerance.

How do you make waterkefir?

Making your own water kefir is a surprisingly simple process that yields a great homemade probiotic drink. To get started, you will need water kefir grains, also known as tibicos or Japanese water crystals , which are the magical ingredients behind this fermented wonder.

Kefirko kefirpot

Tools for making waterkefir

This is the vessel in which you will ferment the water kefir. The jar or bottle should be clean and sterile, and large enough to hold all the ingredients. You can also use a weck jar, a jam jar or even a small bucket or lemonade bottle.

This is the tool you use to mix and stir the ingredients. It is often said that you should not use a metal spoon, but in practice, especially if it is stainless steel, this is not so bad.

This is the material you use to cover the opening of the jar or bottle. This allows air to get to the water kefir, but not dust or insects.

You use this to clamp the cloth, filter or paper to the jar or bottle.

A strainer is used to separate the water kefir grains from the liquid after fermentation. Again, contrary to what you usually read, using metal has little negative effect.

Such as a beer bottle, champagne bottle or PET bottle

Ingredients for making water kefir

You just need a few items:

  • 1 liter of tap water (use filtered water if your tap water contains a lot of chlorine)

  • Approx 50-100 grams of water kefir grains

  • Approx 50-100 grams organic cane sugar

  • 1-2 slices of lemon

  • Optional: dried fruits such as a tablespoon of raisins or 1-2 figs or dates

Gedroogde echte waterkefirkorrels

Instructions for making waterkefir – step by step

Water kefir grains english2
  • 1

    Add the water kefir grains, cane sugar, lemon and any dried fruit (often, figs or dades) to a 1-liter glass jar.

  • 2

    Pour in the water and stir gently.

  • 3

    Cover the jar loosely with a clean cloth or coffee filter and secure it with a rubber band.

  • 4

    Let the mixture ferment for 24-48 hours at room temperature, depending on the desired flavor.

  • 5

    Strain the kefir water mixture to remove the grains and store the drink in an airtight and pressure-resistant bottle in the refrigerator.

  • 6

    Enjoy!

  • 7

    Optionally: ferment the water kefir for another 8 to 48 hours in a sealed, pressure resistant, bottle for a pleasant fizz.

What fruits can you usin water kefir?

Water kefir offers the opportunity to experiment with different fruits for a range of flavors. Citrus fruits such as lemon, orange and lime are popular choices, as are dried fruits such as raisins and figs.

Fruit during the second fermentation

The second fermentation (F2) is when the water kefir sits in the pressure-resistant bottle. This is a great time to add additional flavorings to give your water kefir a unique taste. Berries such as strawberries, blueberries and raspberries are a delicious addition to water kefir. Adding fresh fruit during the fermentation process can result in a deliciously flavored drink packed with additional nutrients. What does water kefir taste like? That depends on the fruit you use!

Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food – Hippocrates

Frequently asked questions about making water kefir

Welcome to our FAQ section, where we address your burning questions about crafting and preserving waterkefir. Whether you’re a fermentation enthusiast or a novice, these tips will steer you towards perfecting your waterkefir preparation.

Although sugar is an essential ingredient in making water kefir, most of it is consumed during the fermentation process. As a result, the final amount of sugar in the final product is significantly lower than the original amount. The exact amount of sugar in water kefir can vary depending on factors such as the recipe, fermentation time and your taste.

It is not possible to make water kefir without any sugar, because sugar acts as a food source for the kefir grains during the fermentation process. The microorganisms in the kefir grains consume most of the sugar during fermentation, so the final drink contains significantly less sugar than the original mixture. If you want to reduce your sugar intake, you can extend the fermentation time or add less sugar at the beginning.

Authentic waterkefir requires grains, which are the symbiotic cultures of bacteria and yeasts. However, these bacteria and yeast have been analysed and freeze-dried and can be added to your sugary water without the grains. This will produce a waterkefir as well. It saves you the hassle of keeping the grains alive. Please note that this type of waterkefir starter will not produce new grains.

Store your waterkefir in a glass jar at room temperature, shielded from direct sunlight, while it’s brewing. Once fermented to your liking, keep it in the refrigerator to maintain its freshness and halt further fermentation. Do not store it more than a few days as it tends to overferment quickly, creating a lot of gas and possible geissers when opening!

The minimum amount of sugar for waterkefir is typically 40-60 grams per liter of water. This is enough to sustain the kefir grains while keeping the sugar content low in the final beverage. However, if you like a sweeter waterkefir, aim at 75-100 grams per liter.

Homemade waterkefir can remain fresh for about a month when stored in the fridge, though its longevity is influenced by the fermentation level at the time of bottling. If there is still ample sugar present before bottling we advise to store it no longer than a few days in the fridge as the drink tends to overcarbonise.

Your waterkefir should have a mild tang and a bit of effervescence. If it smells unpleasant, has mold, or tastes excessively sour, it’s safer to discard it.

If you’re pausing your kefir production, keep your grains in new sugar water in the fridge, refreshing the sugar water once a week to keep the grains alive and well.

While there’s no absolute ideal ratio, generally for 1 liter of water you will need around 50-100 grams of sugar and 50-100 grams of water kefir grains.

Is waterkefir healthy?

Here’s we’ll answer some questions about the health benefits of drinking waterkefir

Thanks to its probiotic properties, water kefir can have a positive effect on skin health. Consuming water kefir regularly can help promote healthy gut flora, which in turn can affect the condition of the skin. Healthy gut flora is often associated with glowing and healthy skin. Moreover, the vitamins and nutrients present in water kefir can also contribute to healthier skin.

Water kefir is a nutritious beverage, but… drink in moderation. Excessive consumption can lead to digestive problems, such as bloating. It is generally recommended to drink no more than 1-2 glasses per day. It is also important to watch your sugar intake, as a small amount of sugar still remains in the finished product even after fermentation.

Kefir, including water kefir, can offer significant benefits for gut health. The presence of probiotics in water kefir can help restore healthy gut flora, which can improve digestion and reduce gut-related problems such as bloating and constipation. In addition, the probiotics can help fight harmful bacteria in the gut, which can lead to a strengthened immune system and better overall health.

To determine if your water kefir is good, pay attention to some important signs during the fermentation process. A good water kefir has a slightly sour smell and a pleasant, slightly effervescent taste. The drink should not smell excessively sour, which may indicate overfermentation, nor have an unpleasant odor, which may indicate spoilage. In addition, the kefir grains should remain active and grow in size during the process. If the grains are not growing or the drink smells unusual, something may have gone wrong during the fermentation process.

Although kefir is associated with weight loss because of its probiotic properties and low calorie content, it is important to note that kefir by itself is not a magic solution for weight loss. However, the probiotics can help with healthy digestion and promote a sense of satiety, which may cause you to eat less. Consuming kefir should be combined with a balanced diet and regular exercise for best results. Making your own kefir with water is a healthy activity.

Conclusion

With its versatile flavor profiles, health benefits and simple preparation method, it is clear why water kefir has become a favorite among fermented beverage enthusiasts. Whether you opt for the traditional version or prefer to experiment with making water kefir with fresh fruit or making water kefir with figs, making water kefir is an enriching and satisfying experience. With our recipe for water kefir, you can enjoy a homemade drink packed with probiotics and nutrients. With its ability to support healthy digestion, strengthen the immune system and offer a range of flavors, water kefir is a valuable addition to your daily diet.

Start making your own water kefir today and discover the myriad benefits of this refreshing and healthy fermented beverage.

About Meneer Wateetons

Meneer Wateetons is a renowned Dutch foodwriter, teacher, fermentation specialist, sausage maker and the owner of startercultures.eu. He has written 9 books on culinary topics such as fermentation, alcohol making, sausages and charcuterie making and deep frying. He has taught many hobbyists, chefs and food professionals about these topics. He loves kombucha!

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