Waterkefir starter culture

Make your own probiotic bubbly fermented soda with this waterkefir starter culture! Enough for up to 16 liters. Please note these are not kefir grains, you can find those here.

What is water kefir?

Waterkefir is a delicious homemade and healthy fermented soft drink. Making your own water kefir is astonishingly simple, tinglingly fresh, incredibly tasty and very satisfying. Later you can read the recipe for making water kefir. The DIY champagnes contain about half a percent alcohol.

What is the difference between water kefir and milk kefir?

Although it shares the name with the other kefir we make from milk, those two are not related at all. Admittedly, water kefir grains eat sugars producing carbonic acid, lactic acid and alcohol, and they grow and form lumpy SCOBYs, symbiotic colonies of bacteria and yeasts. But the agreements stop there too. Other names include tibicos, tibi, bébéés or Japanese sea crystals. Here you will find milk kefir.

What is the difference between water kefir and kombucha?

Water kefir and kombucha are both fermented drinks. Both contain different bacteria and yeasts, and both are wonderfully fresh and carbonated. However, they are made with very different micro-organisms. The taste of kombucha is often more sour than water kefir. Kombucha is traditionally made from sweet tea, and water kefir often contains dates and figs. Here you can read more about our komboecha starter.

Which micro-organisms are there in waterkefir starter culture?

While no two water kefir colonies are alike, they generally consist of a range of Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, Pediococcus, and Leuconostoc bacteria, and Saccharomyces, Candida, and Kloeckeragists.

Where does water kefir come from?

The origin of water kefir is not entirely clear, but it is made in several places around the world. Other names include tibicos, tibi, bébéés or Japanese sea crystals.

How to make water kefir yourself

In this water kefir recipe you will learn how to make this delicious soft drink yourself. The basis of your water kefir consists of our starter, water, sugar and flavors of your choice. Often these are (citrus) fruits, dried or not, but the variation is endless. Fruit juices, herbs, spices, ginger, you name it. In contrast to milk kefir or kombucha, the taste of the microorganisms themselves is quite neutral. The bubbles are central. Actually, it is especially a good way to make your own homemade lemonade from your regular homemade lemonade in a few days. The DIY champagnes contain about half a percent alcohol.

Content waterkefir starter culture

• 2×5 grams of dried water kefir starter
• Enough for up to 16 liters! (makes 2-16 liters)
• Made in France
• Certified organic
• Gluten free
• GMO free
• Composition: brown cane sugar, water kefir microorganisms (Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Leuconostoc, Saccharomyces, Acetobacter).

Why choose our freeze-dried water kefir starter?

1. Water kefir grains are difficult to maintain, this freeze-dried starter is super easy
2. Water kefir grains are sometimes contaminated with unwanted micro-organisms. Our granules are guaranteed to be safe
3. Easy to ship/take with you, also abroad
4. Do not deteriorate due to transportation
5. Lightweight (shipping)
6. You can purchase them now even if you do not intend to make water kefir this week
7. After activation, the taste of our water is identical to fresh grains

Make your own water kefir

• Bottle, jar, plastic container, whatever for first fermentation
• Colander
• Strong and sealable bottle (swing-top bottles, PET bottle, champagne bottle + cork) for 2nd fermentation.

Ingredients for 1 liter of water kefir

• 1 bag of water kefir starter
• 1 liter of water
• 1 to 2 lemon slices
• 1 to 2 dried fruits (fig, apricot …)
• 2 to 3 tablespoons of sugar.

Get started, for 1 liter of water kefir

1. Take a liter of water. Tap water is fine, preferably even a little hard. Kefir grains need minerals.
2. Dissolve the sugar and our water kefir starter in it.
3. Add the fruit and seasonings
4. Let it ferment at room temperature (20-25 ° C) for 48 hours. When the dried fruit comes to the surface, your kefir is ready. Filter the contents with a colander to remove the fruit.
5. Strain and pour the water kefir into a sealable PET bottle, swing top bottle or champagne bottle. Add any additional seasonings and allow to warm up at room temperature for 24-48 hours.
6. Leave to cool in the refrigerator.
7. Serve and enjoy

Make more water kefir – up to 16 liters

1. The water kefir can be used up to 8 times, subject to good hygiene
2. Simply make new water kefir with 100 ml from your previous batch.

Buying a waterkefir starter culture?

Order your waterkefir starter culture at startercultures.eu, the European webshop for all your fermentation needs’. By Meneer Wateetons, renowned Dutch fermentation expert and author. Order on weekdays before  3 pm and we’ll ship the same day.  Questions on the usage of the waterkefir starter culture? Ask them in our chat, we’ll here to help!

Online Kombucha making course

In 29 bite sized English spoken video lessons you will learn all about making kombucha at home, without the need for special tools, in this online course by the founder of startercultures.eu. You will learn to ferment Kombucha, promote your probiotics and save money, by never having to buy Kombucha again!