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

Callie Ward

Melanie Jewkes