Ingredients:
- 1-2 Tablespoons Milk Kefir Grains (Starter Culture)
- 4 Cups Pasteurized Milk (Whole or 2%)
- 1 teaspoon Organic Cane Sugar (Optional, for sluggish grains)
Instructions:
- Ensure your glass jar and plastic/wooden utensils are spotlessly clean.
- Place the kefir grains into the clean glass jar.
- Gently pour the measured milk over the grains in the jar.
- Give the mixture one gentle stir with a plastic or wooden utensil to ensure the grains are submerged.
- Cover the jar opening with a breathable cloth secured by a rubber band.
- Place the jar in an area away from direct sunlight, ideally at room temperature (68°F – 75°F / 20°C – 24°C).
- Monitor the mixture for 18 to 24 hours. It should begin to thicken and show small bubbles.
- The kefir is ready when it has thickened noticeably and possesses a pleasant, slightly sour aroma (Total time 24-48 hours).
- Place a strainer over a second, clean bowl. Pour the entire contents of the jar through the strainer.
- Gently agitate the strainer until most of the liquid kefir passes through, leaving the grains behind.
- Transfer the separated grains back into the cleaned primary jar, ready for the next batch.
- Transfer the finished liquid milk kefir to an airtight container and refrigerate to stop the fermentation process.