Kefir
Activating Kefir Starter Grains
- 1-quart whole milk
- 1 packet kefir starter culture
Place milk into a mixing bowl. Add in 1 packet of kefir starter culture; mix well. Place into pint-sized jars and prepared incubator set at 43.3° C for 18 hours or until kefir has reached a pH level of 4.6 or less.
Re-culturing Kefir
- 1-quart whole milk
- ¼ cup kefir
Combine milk and kefir into a mixing bowl. Place in pint-size jars and incubate at 26.6° C until kefir has reached a pH of 4.6 or less. Re-culture up to 7 times within a week. To re-cultureuy dehydrated milk kefir grains instead of a kefir starter culture.
Use kefir in smoothies, salad dressings, salads, ice-cream, spreadable cheese, soup, as a substitute for buttermilk or yogurt in baked goods, or as a beverage option.
Kefir Blueberry Banana Smoothie
- ¾ cup kefir
- ½ cup of orange juice
- 1 cup blueberries
- 1 banana
Combine in blender and mix until smooth. Serve immediately or freeze for later use.
Authors
Kelsie Maw, RD, CD; Brian Nummer, Ph.D.; Callie Ward; Melanie Jewkes
Brian Nummer
Callie Ward
Melanie Jewkes