How to make Water Kefir!  A happy, bubbly, fruit-infused sparkling water, that is packed full of healthy probiotics that will energize the body and support the gut

A simple step-by-step guide to making delicious Water Kefir, a fruit-infused, slightly fermented sparkling fruit water full of healthy probiotics, like yogurt but without the dairy!

Hi, I’d like to introduce you to happy, bubbly WATER KEFIR! A delicious, effervescent,  fruit-infused water, full of healthy probiotics, that support a healthy diverse microbiome, clears the skin and energizes the whole body. The best part is, it is easy to make at home!  And in my humble opinion tastes WAY better than Kombucha, with so much less fuss. I hadn’t heard of water kefir until a friend of mine, Bee (from H is For Love), introduced it to me a few years ago, and since then, I’ve been crazy, head-over-heels in love with it. We’ve been making batches and batches of this refreshing healthy beverage all summer long. 

But First What is Water kefir?

  • Fermented, fruit-infused water, similar to kombucha in that it’s slightly fermented and effervescent-but water kefir is fermented with live water kefir grains, which are a yeast-bacteria that believed to originate from the pad of a cactus plant in Mexico.
  • Water kefir is completely different from Milk kefir. Not only is this a dairy-free probiotic, it’s gluten-free.
  • Water Kefir Grains are “fed” with sugar and actually metabolize (consume) the sugar, making the final drink very low in sugar! 

How to Make Water Kefir! (45-second video) 

How long does it take to make kefir water?

It takes about 3-4 days to make Kefir Water, with only 15 minutes of hands-on time!

Water Kefir Ingredients

  • Water Kefir Grains -This is the starter culture that ferments the water. Soft and gelatinous “grains”  (a combination of yeast and bacteria) believed to originate from Mexico where they were found attached to the Ountia cactus (prickly pear) thriving from the cactus’s sugary water. Purchase Water kefir grains in the refrigerated section of your health food store, or purchase online, and read the package directions to fully activate them before starting! This may take a week- or may come already activated.
  • Sugar – Types of sugar include organic cane sugar, coconut sugar, jaggery, molasses, sucanat, brown sugar, raw sugar, turbinado, piloncillo (evaporated sugar cane juice in a cone-shape found in Mexican markets). White sugar is very mineral deficient so I try not use it- or only in a pinch. 
  • Fruit – fresh fruit and berries are ideal here. Juicy ripe stone fruits ( plums, peaches, nectarines, cherries, etc.) fresh berries (strawberries, huckleberries, blackberries, blueberries, etc.) Pineapple, apples, pears, or Frozen fruit, or fruit juice will work too. 
  • Water- Tap water or well water is generally best when making water kefir- or use “still” mineral water. Hard water is better than soft water here! Filtered water, reverse osmosis water, or soft water or highly chlorinated water can actually inhibit fermentation. Distilled water tends to lack minerals that feed the kefir grains.
  • Lemon Slices – to prevent kahm yeast.
  • Unsufulerd Prunes- optional, to boost fermentation- or sub-dried figs, unsulfered apricots, or other dried fruit.
  •  2-quart mason jars ( you will need 2-3 jars) 
  • A strainer
  • A kitchen towel

How to make Water Kefir!

  1. STEP ONE: Fill two, 2-quart mason jars to the halfway mark. 
How to make Water Kefir- A simple step-by-step guide to making delicious Water Kefir, a fruit-infused, slightly fermented sparkling fruit water full of healthy probiotics, like yogurt but without the dairy! | www.feastingathome.com

STEP TWO. To the water,  mix in ¼ cup of organic cane sugar into each jar. I highly recommend making the “sugar mixture” in the recipe notes which contains more minerals (than white sugar) which keep the grains happy and help with fermentation. 

How to make Water Kefir- A simple step-by-step guide to making delicious Water Kefir, a fruit-infused, slightly fermented sparkling fruit water full of healthy probiotics, like yogurt but without the dairy! | www.feastingathome.com

Now before you start thinking (like I did) that there is so much sugar in this, and how it must be so high in calories,  remember, the kefir grains metabolize the sugar, which means they basically “eat” the sugar, (this is what feeds them) taking it out of the water. Once it’s done doing its thing, the water is only very mildly sweet, which I find completely and utterly fascinating! 

Where does the sugar go?

From Yeemos: “Kefir grains are an amazing symbiotic matrix of bacteria and yeast that work together to feed off the natural sugars (and sometimes proteins and fats too, especially in the case of milk kefir) found present in the sugar-water and dried fruits. The yeast and bacteria cooperate, making the nutrients that are inaccessible to one digested into accessible nutrients for the other. Yeasts break down the simple sugars like glucose and fructose, turning them into ethanol and acetic acid. Lactic and acid-producing bacteria (such as lactobacilli) convert sugars (such as sucrose) and complex carbohydrates (starches, etc) into simpler sugars and lactic acid. Lactic and acetic acids naturally preserve as well as stave off harmful foreign bacteria. The result is a drink that has had much of the sugar converted to simpler sugars, lactic and acetic acids, carbon dioxide and ethanol. It also contains millions of probiotics and is more nutritious in some regards because of the more bio-available and digestible nutrients from the sugars and dried fruits including an increase in vitamin C and many B vitamins.”  From Yemoos

 Stir the sugar into the water with a wood spoon until dissolved.

How to make Water Kefir- A simple step-by-step guide to making delicious Water Kefir, a fruit-infused, slightly fermented sparkling fruit water full of healthy probiotics, like yogurt but without the dairy! | www.feastingathome.com

STEP THREE: Add 1/4 cup water kefir grains to each jar. Gently stir.

Water Kefir Grains - And How to make Water Kefir- A simple step-by-step guide to making delicious Water Kefir, a fruit-infused, slightly fermented sparkling fruit water full of healthy probiotics, like yogurt but without the dairy! | www.feastingathome.com

STEP FOUR: Add a big slice of lemon to each jar. Now if you are allergic to lemons, sub orange, lime or even grapefruit. The acidity here helps prevent the growth of Kahm yeast – a harmless yeast but one that could affect the taste.

How to make Water Kefir- A simple step-by-step guide to making delicious Water Kefir, a fruit-infused, slightly fermented sparkling fruit water full of healthy probiotics, like yogurt but without the dairy! | www.feastingathome.com

STEP FIVE: Add one prune to each jar. These seem to also boost fermentation. They are not imperative, but definitely add if you have them on hand. A dried fig, or a few raisins would work too. 

How to make Water Kefir- A simple step-by-step guide to making delicious Water Kefir, a fruit-infused, slightly fermented sparkling fruit water full of healthy probiotics, like yogurt but without the dairy! | www.feastingathome.com

STEP SIX: Cover with a thin kitchen towel. It needs to breathe, but you want to prevent little fruit flies from getting in and seal it with twine or a rubber band. You could also top it with a coffee filter. 

STEP SEVEN: The First Ferment. Let the jars sit on the kitchen counter at room temperature for 2-3 days. Two days if it’s warm out (in the summer), 3-4 days if it’s cold. Right now in fall, I’m leaving it out for 3 days.

Check for sweetness. After 2 or 3 days your kefir water should have fermented slightly – and you can check this by tasting it. If it tastes very sweet, then the sugar has not been metabolized and you need to ferment it longer. The longer it goes, the tangier it will taste and the less sweet it will get. You want it to taste balanced- just subtly sweet with a little bit of tangy. Find your own balance. If you taste no tanginess, it may not have fermented, a sign the kefir grains may not be healthy, active or alive.

TIP: Tangy or sour flavors tell you it has fermented. If it is not getting tangy or sour after 3-4 days, then your kefir grains may not be alive or active. 

STEP EIGHT: Create your flavor. Place 1 – 1  1/2 cups fresh fruit in one clean 2-quart jar– like fresh berries, peaches, apricots, pineapple, plums, concord grapes, apples or pears. You can also add fresh herbs. Then strain both jars of the fermenting kefir into the third clean jar with the fresh fruit in it, straining out the kefir grains (set these aside) filling the jar to a ½ inch from the top. (Save the extra fermented water to store the grains in and place them in the fridge with 1 tablespoon sugar. Add more water to cover.)

How to make Water Kefir- A simple step-by-step guide to making delicious Water Kefir, a fruit-infused, slightly fermented sparkling fruit water full of healthy probiotics, like yogurt but without the dairy! | www.feastingathome.com

STEP NINE: The Second ferment. Once the fruit is added, cover tightly with a lid, and leave on the counter for another 24 hours. Your kefir should start bubbling. During the 2nd Ferment, the water kefir is creating gas and building pressure, which you want it to do – this makes it nice and bubbly, but with the metal lids, you must let out some of the pressure, “burping it” every 6-12 hours or so (depending on the temperature in your kitchen)  so the lid doesn’t explode open (yes this happened to me). With a plastic lid, it stays on fine, and the air can escape. If using a metal lid, just screw the top on loosely until you feel the first resistance- this will allow some air to escape.

WARNING:  These metal lids like in the photos above, have pros and cons. They allow pressure to build up, with their tight seal, creating bubbly effervescent kefir, but they can explode if the pressure is not released occasionally. They must be burped! If you need to leave your home and are worried about the jar exploding, simply loosen the lid while you are gone. Place the jar over a bowl to collect any runoff.

Plastic lids are “self-burping”, which if you are away from home for over 8 hours, I would recommend using. The downside is the plastic lids do not let the pressure build quite enough in my opinion so kefir is not quite as bubbly. Sometimes I switch between both, depending on if I am planning to be gone.

STEP NINE: After 24 hours, the fruit will float the surface and it’s time to refrigerate.  You can strain the fruit,  eat the fruit ( it won’t hurt you) or keep it in the water to infuse longer – I generally just leave it in, and strain it as I pour into a glass. Up to you. 

How to make Water Kefir- A simple step-by-step guide to making delicious Water Kefir, a fruit-infused, slightly fermented sparkling fruit water full of healthy probiotics, like yogurt but without the dairy! | www.feastingathome.com

 Troubleshooting Water Kefir:

  • If you see a white yeast on top of your second ferment, it is most likely kahm yeast. Kahm yeast is harmless but can affect the taste in an unpleasant way.
  • If you have Kahm yeast, make sure to rinse your kefir grains in pure clean water before storing in a clean jar with no soap residue. Cover with clean water and feed. This should hopefully prevent it from coming again.
  • Make sure to add citrus to your kefir water, to help prevent Kahm yeast.
  • Leave less headroom at the top of the jar for oxygen to get in, during the second fermentation (1/2 inch). Rinse your fruit before using, as this can also introduce the yeast.
  • Sometimes Kahm yeast can grow when the environment’s temperature is too warm.
  • If water kefir is not bubbling or not fermenting, it can be due to a lack of minerals. Use the mineralized sugar mixture, or try adding a pinch of sea salt.

water kefir grains and how to maintain them

How to Maintain & Grow Your Water Kefir Grains

  1. The kefir grains that you strained out earlier can be stored in a smaller jar, in the fridge in water or the extra water kefir, you will have after you merge the two jars into one. These grains will need to be fed weekly. 
  2. When refrigerated, you want to feed the grains (with sugar) at least once a week, to keep them healthy and alive. They are happiest when they are actually making water kefir, so I just make one jar a week.
  3. If you want to make kefir water more often (or grow the grains faster so you can give some away) you can leave them out on the counter, feeding every two days.
  4. Feed 1 cup kefir grains with 1 tablespoon sugar, in 2 cups water, in the fridge once weekly. Feel free to change out the water every 2-3 weeks.
  5. The colder they are kept, the slower they will metabolize the sugar. The warmer they are, the faster they will metabolize the sugar- and will need to be fed more often.
  6. You can tell if the grains are “hungry” by tasting the liquid- if it is not sweet, but tangier, they are probably ready to be fed. If the water is sweet, they are not hungry and do not need to be fed. 
  7. If the sugary water never gets tangy or sour (indicating fermentation) then your grains may likely not be alive or active. 

Water kefir Flavors and Variations

Once you get the hang of making water kefir- the variations are truly endless! I usually start with what is in season- seasonal fruits and berries and add from there.  You can also add herbs, spices and even chia seeds!

A simple step-by-step guide to making delicious Water Kefir, a fruit-infused, slightly fermented sparkling fruit water full of healthy probiotics, like milk kefir but without the dairy! | www.feastingathome.com

There are so many versions to make….. the possibilities are endless!  Here above is Strawberry-Raspberry Water Kefir with Chia Seeds– energizing and refreshing!

Here below is peach ginger. 

WATER KEFIR! A simple step-by-step guide to making delicious Water Kefir, a fruit-infused, slightly fermented sparkling fruit water full of healthy probiotics, like yogurt but without the dairy! #kefir #kefirwater #waterkefir #probiotics

And here below is a Plum-Ginger Water Kefir with shiso leaves. 

Strawberry Peach Water Kefir, full of healthy probiotics, good for the gut, like Kombucha but BETTER and EASIER! A simple step by step guide | www.feastingathome.com

Here is Strawberry Basil Water Kefir!

Strawberry Water Kefir, full of healthy probiotics, good for the gut, like Kombucha but BETTER and EASIER! A simple step by step guide | www.feastingathome.com

You’ll love how refreshing, tangy, fruity and delicious this is- so much better than a soda stream- with many more minerals, nutrients and probiotics.  

A simple step-by-step guide to making delicious Water Kefir, a fruit-infused, slightly fermented sparkling fruit water full of healthy probiotics, like yogurt but without the dairy!

The possibilities are endless! Get some water kefir grains and give it a try!

Health Benefits of Water Kefir

Creating gut diversity is key to a healthy immune system. Water kefir is one of the best dietary sources of probiotics and can contain up to 40 different healthy bacteria strains including Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus nagelii, bifidobacteria, Lactobacillus hilgardii,  lactic acid bacteria, Acetobacter spp.from acetic acid bacteria, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. 

More Fermenting Recipes!

Water Kefir Faqs

Is water kefir good for you?

Water kefir is full of healthy probiotics that increase the diversity of good bacteria in our gut, the foundation of a healthy immune system. It’s low in sugar, and full of nutrients from fresh fruit.

Is there alcohol in Water Kefir?

Water kefir is slightly fermented which can produce trace amounts of naturally occurring alcohol. This is typically around .02 % which equates to roughly ¼ teaspoon in a 12-ounce glass.

Can you drink Water Kefir every day?

If your gut is healthy and diverse, yes! If you are new to consuming fermented foods, or have gut dysbiosis you may need to start off slowly and gently introduce it. Start with a few sips, and see how it feels, if ok, then try a quarter cup, see how you feel, and add from there. If you experience a lot of gas, bloating, back way down, and just take a sip or two daily until these symptoms go away.

Is kombucha or water kefir better for health?

Both kombucha and water kefir have health benefits- both contain healthy strains of probiotics. Kombucha contains caffeine from tea and aids with digestion. Water kefir is caffeine-free and typically contains more strains of good bacteria, though some believe not as potent- which may be beneficial for those new to consuming fermented foods- because they are gentler on the belly.

Enjoy the process and please share your flavors and adaptions in the comments below. ❤️

Sylvia

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A simple step-by-step guide to making delicious Water Kefir, a fruit-infused, slightly fermented sparkling fruit water full of healthy probiotics, like yogurt but without the dairy!

How to make Water Kefir

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Description

A simple guide to making Water Kefir-a refreshing probiotic fruit-infused drink made with water kefir grains (cactus grains) that is bubbly, effervescent and so healthy!


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1/2 cup alive water kefir grains
  • 8 cups tap or well water- divided
  • 1/2 cup sugar (divided) organic cane sugar, coconut sugar, or a ***mixture-see notes. ( FYI this will be metabolized or consumed by the kefir grains, so it will NOT end up in the finished drink!)
  • 2 lemon wedges (optional)
  • 2 prunes (or dates, or or dried fruit) optional
  • ——-
  • 12 cups fresh fruit- berries, stonefruit (peaches, plums, nectarines), apples, pears, mango, pineapple, etc.

Optional Additions- fresh ginger, whole spices, herbs.

Equipment:


Instructions

  1. Fill two, half-gallon mason jars with 4 cups cool tap water in each.
  2. Add ¼ cup sugar in each, stirring to mostly dissolve. ( Feel free to make sugar mixture first)
  3. Add ¼ cup kefir grains to each jar.
  4. Add ¼ cup kefir water to each jar (optional–you can obviously only do this after your first batch of kefir, so just leave it out for the first batch.)
  5. Add ¼ of a lemon wedge to each jar.
  6. Add 1 prune to each jar.
  7. Cover both jars with a thin kitchen cloth and leave on the counter for 2-4 days. 2 days if warm out, 3-4 days if cold. This 2-4 day time period allows the grains “to eat” the sugar, so most of the sugar will actually be metabolized, and not end up in the drink itself. You want the water to get the point where it is  just slightly sweet, and nicely tangy. So taste it before moving to the next step. If it tastes very sweet, it’s not ready. When it’s cold this takes longer.
  8. After 2-3 days the kefir will have fermented slightly, taste tangy or lightly sour, but there is one more step which gives it flavor and makes it effervescent and bubbly.
  9. FLAVOR: Get your third jar ready and place 1- 1 1/2 cups fresh, ripe fruit in it– like fresh berries, peaches, mango, pineapple, plums, concord grapes, apples, pears – I muddle them up a bit to release their juices. Add a few thin slices of ginger, or whole spices if you wish. Or add 1 cup fruit juice – especially nice in winter when fresh fruit is limited.
  10. Strain both jars of the fermenting kefir water into the third clean jar with the fresh fruit in it, straining out the kefir grains ( set them aside), tossing the lemon and prunes, filling the clean jar (with the fruit in it) to a 1/2 inch from the top. Then cover tightly with a  lid, and leave this on the counter another 24 hours, allowing pressure to build up yet, burping the lids (releasing the pressure), every 8-12 hours or so, more often especially if warm. Keep in mind, not burping may cause the jar to explode. If you must leave them for longer, either loosen the lid and place jar in a bowl to collect runoff, or place the jar in the fridge, to slow the fermentation down, and continue fermenting on the counter when you have more time.
  11. WARNING:  These metal lids like in the photos above, have pros and cons. They allow pressure to build up, with their tight seal, creating bubbly effervescent kefir, but they can explode if the pressure is not released occasionally. Plastic lids are “self-burping”, which if you are away from home for over 8 hours, I would recommend using. The downside is the plastic lids do not let the pressure build quite enough in my opinion so kefir is not quite as bubbly. Sometimes I switch between both, depending on if I am planning to be gone.
  12. To reiterate- During the 2nd fermentation phase, the water kefir is creating gas and building pressure, which you want it to do – this makes it nice and bubbly, but with the metal lids, you must let out some of the pressure, “burping it” every 6-12 hours or so, so the lid doesn’t bend or blast open (yes this happened to me). With a plastic lid, it stays on fine, it self burps, but it’s less bubbly.
  13. After 24 hours, the fruit will float to the surface and it’s time to refrigerate it. Burp it, place it in the fridge, lid tight. Once it’s chilled, give it a try. You can strain this and put it in a different pourable container, or just strain as you pour, leaving the fruit in for maximum infusion. Up to you.
  14. The kefir grains that you strained out earlier should be stored in a smaller jar, in the extra kefir water you will have after you merge the two jars into one. You can refrigerate them and feed with a tablespoon of sugar, every week –or if trying to grow more grains to give away, store the jar on the counter, feeding every couple of days. They grow faster at room temp, and grow slower in the fridge. They are happiest when they are actually making water kefir, so I usually make a jar a week. See notes.

Notes

Sugar Mixture: (optional, but highly nutritious to you kefir grains)

Yes, feel free to halve the recipe.

It is OK to use frozen berries or fruit.

YES, you can get by with two 2-quart mason jars ( instead of 3). Strain one of the kefir jars into a pitcher, temporarily, rinse out the mason jar, add the fruit to this one, and pour in strained kefir water form pitcher and 2nd jar. Get it? 😉

Adding the lemon helps prevents kahm yeast, and the prune really adds flavor and helps with fermentation.

Kahm Yeast: If you see a white yeast on top of your second ferment, it is most likely kahm yeast. It’s harmless but can affect the taste. If you have Kahm yeast, make sure to rinse your kefir grains in pure clean water before storing in a clean jar with no soap residue. Cover with clean water and feed. This should hopefully prevent it from coming again. Make sure to add Citrus to your kefir water. Make sure all jars are clean. Leave less headroom at the top of the jar for oxygen to get in, during the second fermentation. Rinse your fruit before using, this can introduce the yeast. Sometimes it can grow if the environment is too warm.

How to maintain/grow your kefir grains:

The kefir grains that you strained out earlier can be stored in a smaller 8-ounce jar, in the fridge in the extra water kefir you will have after you merge the two jars into one. Add more water to fill and 1 tablespoon sugar.

  1. When refrigerated, you want to feed the grains at least once a week, to keep them healthy and alive. They are happiest when they are actually making water kefir, so I just make one jar a week.
  2. If you want to make kefir water more often (or grow the grains faster so you can give some away) you can leave them out on the counter, feeding every two days.
  3. Feed 1 cup kefir grains with 1 tablespoon sugar, in 2 cups water, in the fridge once weekly. Feel free to change out the water every 2-3 weeks.
  4. The colder they are kept, the slower they will metabolize the sugar. The warmer they are, the faster they will metabolize the sugar- and will need to be fed more often.
  5. You can tell if the grains are “hungry” by tasting the liquid- if it is not sweet, but tangier, they are probably ready to be fed. If the water is sweet, they are not hungry and do not need to be fed.

Nutrition

  • Calories: 85

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Comments

  1. with the special sugar blend – sugar1/4 c, coco sugar 1/2c and sea salt, is it recommended to add ALL 3/4c of the sugar blend to each jar, or take a 1/4 c of that mixture and add it to the jar? Little confused. Thank you xx

  2. Hi! I have some question. I put in a lemon and prune and I still had some white layer (possibly Kahm yeast like you mention?) I just pulled off as much as possible. Is that ok? Secondly after I added the fruit and did the second fermentation it wasn’t fizzy at all, is that ok? Maybe I didn’t fill it enough. It was my first go so I’m very nervous to drink it 🙂 thanks for the help!!!

    1. After your first fermentation, do you know if it tasted or smelled tangy or sour or vinegary? I’m wondering if it actually fermented. You could take a tiny sip, but not swallow- if it tastes sweet, it probably did not ferment.Try again. It if tastes tangy, it is probably ok.

  3. I’ve been playing with water kefir for a while now and found your post extremely helpful and got lots of ideas, thanks. I was especially wondering about the sugar and your explanation makes sense. I’m just getting to the point of knowing when I taste if it needs longer or has gone too far. My favourite secondary ferment is lemon and ginger. Thanks again.






  4. Hello,
    I belong to a fermentation group on FB, and someone posted that they make kefir “sourdough” bread with kefir water instead of SD starter, and that they also made some by blending up the grains into a paste and used that as a starter as well. Have you heard of this?

  5. I went to check mine today, day 4 because it’s cold here, and there’s mold on top. It’s not yeast because its fuzzy and there are patches. What did I do wrong?

      1. This was the first fermentation. I ended up dumping the liquid and keeping the grains and restarted it. I just started the second fermentation. I think I let it sit too long, thinking it was warmer here than I thought it was!

  6. Anxious to try. Is the grains in the water the same grains that you use in the milk keife? Where to purchase.

  7. LOVE this recipe!
    got a little busy the past week & so i’m forgetting if i fed my grains in the fridge this week ? is there a way to tell if they’ve “died” ?! thanks!

  8. I followed the recipe and on the second fermentation I am not seeing any bubbles. I have a metal band lid on and it’s been almost 24 hours. When I burp it it doesn’t have any pressure to release. Suggestions? Ideas of why it hasn’t built the pressure up?

  9. Hi, I started my kefir about 1.5 days ago! Am I supposed to stir the contents everyday for the first ferment stage or let it be? I opened the towel up today to get a peek and there is a little bit of white film on the top of the liquid. Is the kahm yeast and can I remove it with a spoon? Or can I let it be? Or does the batch need to be trashed!

    1. No need to stir. Feel free to spoon it off, it is not harmful, so no need to toss it.

  10. Hi, I’m starting my water kefir today, I’m pretty excited. I’ve had it before but never made it myself. I was wondering if you could share recipes or ratios to the flavor options you added in the post? I have some fresh ginger that I need to use up but I want it to taste good and not overpowering.

    1. Hey Judith- the beauty of this recipe is experimenting with flavors, and adjusting to your own taste. I love a lot of ginger, so I normally add like a 1/4 cup sliced ginger (peel and all) along with a whole pear (chopped) or a cup’s worth of fruit. This may be too intense for you, but I like to really taste that ginger bite. Just play around and have fun with it.

  11. This is such a helpful post…unfortunately, I killed my kefir grains when I was pulled away unexpectedly for a few weeks. I just received new grains and the company from whom I purchased recommends adding molasses to the first batch but the friend that introduced me to kefir said she disliked the molasses in her first batch and strongly advise against using it. Any thoughts about this?






    1. Hi Gina- I have not heard of using molasses? I’m sure it would feed the grains well, but yes, may affect the flavor. Perhaps it’s personal preference, do you like that flavor?

      1. I added a tsp, as a middle measure between friend and supplier 😂. But unfortunately, I now have a thin layer of white growth on top. I’ll read through comments again but wonder how to deal with this. I added lime and raisins this time but must not have been enough acidity. Inclined not to skim it off but dump & rinse & start over.

  12. Do you know why drinking 8 to 16 oz of water kefir dehydrates me? Mines is never overly sweet but since drinking water kefir for 2 months now I find myself getting dehydrated often. I’ve cut back but I wonder why this is the case? Any ideas?

    1. I’m very excited to try this at home! Do you know how long I can store the effervescent water kefir in the fridge after the second fermentation? I understand that if I don’t burp the bottle during the second fermentation there is a risk of the bottle exploding. Is there a risk of it exploding in the refrigerator after? Do I need to burp it while refrigerated if I don’t drink it right away?

      1. I usually don’t burp it in the fridge, since the grains are strained out.

  13. Love this recipe! Making it every week. I need store the kefir grains while I am vacation. During the feeding process in the fridge, do I cover the jar with a lid or a cloth?






  14. First time grain fermenter. I used the extra sugar and followed the recipe exactly, using strawberries and blueberries. It was spot on! Everyone enjoyed it, even those who dont enjoy ferments. Going to be making every week.
    Thanks!

    1. That is s great question, and I don’t know:) I asked the person who taught me and she said this is how she was taught. I’ve always had good results this way but feel free to experiment. 🙂

  15. Do you have to do a second fermentation on each batch? Or can I just strain and drink it after the 2-3 days on the counter?

    Also, each time after I ferment it, do I just add the 1/4 cup of sugar and let it go again? How many kefir grains should be in a quart size jar before I start making more than one jar?

    Thanks!!!

    1. Yes there is a second fermentation when you add the fruit. Please read the instructions in the recipe card. No need to add sugar for the 2nd fer,ent.

  16. Hello! I am trying this out for the first time, and after three days, there is a thin, translucent white film covering the top of the sugar/kefir water — around the prunes (which are now floating) and the lemon slices. I was doing some research and it looks like it might be something called “kahm yeast”? I’m wondering if you have any experience with this — whether it’s safe to continue the fermenting process/to drink it, and any tips on how to avoid this in the future?

    Thank you!

    1. Hummmm, I have not had this happen. I do know it is harmless but can affect the taste of the kefir. Things that cause it are too warm of an environment, not enough acidity (did you add the lemon wedge?), to much air over the top of the waterline in the second fermentation ( perhaps fill higher?), an unclean jar, and lastly kefir grains that are not clear and healthy. I would try a new batch, possibly with a little more lemon.

      1. Great question and I’m not sure. I would like to try that too actually. Please let me know if you try it with honey… curious!

  17. I’m about to get some water kefir grains and the seller said do not use a metal strainer or stir with a metal spoon or ever let the grains touch metal but I see you seem to be using a metal strainer or at least the links you provide go to a metal strainer on Amazon. You didn’t mention anything about metal so I’m just curious if you had any input on the metal subject 🙂

    1. My understanding is that is ok if it just touches briefly, but not ok if it is stored in it. I’ve used metal strainer with no problem. But up to you!

  18. Hi, Im loving making the water kefir!!
    The only challenge I have is that I do not seem to be able to get the carbonation. I follow the recipe and I am using organic golden unrefined sugar.
    Any tips for better carbonation?






    1. Tighten the lid and let the pressure build in the jar. Be sure to burp every 12 hours or so, so it doesn’t explode.

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