How to Make Water Kefir
Step One Fermentation
Makes 4 cups
1-quart glass container
4 cups water (NO CHLORINE – filtered, spring, or boiled)
¼ cup sugar*
2 Tbsp. Water Kefir grains
A clean kitchen cloth/ tea towel & rubber band
1. Add 4 cups of de-chlorinated water* to a clean glass jar.
2. Add sugar and stir to dissolve.
3. Add 2 Tablespoons of Water Kefir grains.
4. Cover with cloth, secure with a rubber band, and allow to ferment for
36 - 48 hours at room temperature and away from direct sunlight.
The Water Kefir will be slightly fizzy with a pleasantly sweet (not sugary) taste.
At this point, you may add flavors for a second fermentation or drink as is.
* Using sugar with higher mineral content, such as rapadura and turbinado, may help grains reproduce.
**To de-chlorinate water, allow to sit for 24 hours or boil for 10 minutes, then cool to room temp.
Step Two Fermentation
At this stage, you can be creative and add flavors according to your liking.
And if you want to make your water kefir more fizzy, transfer to a bottle with a flip top or recycled soda bottle.
1. Strain the Step One fermented water kefir into the bottle.
2. Add in spices/herbs and/or 1/8 to ¼ cup juice of choice
(such as lemon, lime, or cranberry).
3. Place cap on bottle and secure.
4. Allow to ferment at room temperature for 24 – 48 hours.
5. When ready, store in the fridge.
Note: You must release the carbon dioxide that will build up during this 2nd stage of fermentation. Unscrew the cap, flip open the bottle a couple of times daily, and re-cap.
Otherwise, the CO2 could cause your bottle to “explode.”
Using a plastic recycled soda bottle is safer than a glass bottle.
Tips:
• Grains do not need to be rinsed between fermentations.
• Grains can be used repeatedly and will multiply so that you can share the grains with family and friends.
• If left longer than 72 hours without the sugar water from Step One, the grains will starve and may disintegrate.
Suggestions for flavors (one quart of water kefir):
Spices: cinnamon, cardamom, vanilla, nutmeg, turmeric
Herbs: Spring of rosemary or lemon thyme, 4 – 5 basil leaves, 4 – 5 mint leaves
Juices: 1/8 – ¼ cup lemon, lime, grapefruit, cranberry, coconut, pomegranate
Where to get water kefir grains:
(You can buy either dried, or fresh. I prefer ordering the fresh version as you can use them right away.)