Here I give you a low -down on how to handle the kefir Grains . These tips will help you preserve your grains and also advise you in handling them .
Tip 1) NEVER wash your kefir grains. In case of a dire need or an emergency like when kefir grains get contaminated by falling on a unclean surface rinse them with filtered water and not tap water( Tap water is very dangerous for the grains ) . Also make sure that water is cool and not hot .
Tip 2 ) You must not overheat or boil the kefir grains as too much heat can kill the beneficial bacteria present in kefir.
Tip 3) Put the grains in room temperature milk and not cold milk , as this will shock the grains.
Tip 4) The kefir grains should not be starved. You must change the milk after 48 hours. When the kefir grains are fed with fresh milk, they stay alive and active . Think of them like a pet. You have to feed them every day or they will misbehave or even die.
Tip 4) If you are going to be gone for more than 2 days and can't change their milk, put them in the fridge. They can stay this way for up to a month. When you come back, it will take about 3-4 batches of baby food sized milk batches , to revive them.
Tip 5) You should not freeze the kefir grains. Freezing totally stops or halts the fermentation process. Many kefir grains cannot be revived after freezing. They immediately go to a deep-sleep-freeze zone on freezing. The process of reviving frozen kefir grains is difficult. A better option is to dry the kefir grains .
Tip 6) Though there are no fixed kefir grains to milk ratio, the general rule is to use 1 part kefir grains and 6 parts milk by volume. The milk is the food for the grains .
Hope my tips will help you preserve and handle your kefir grains in a better way !
Happy kefiring !!!
Tip 1) NEVER wash your kefir grains. In case of a dire need or an emergency like when kefir grains get contaminated by falling on a unclean surface rinse them with filtered water and not tap water( Tap water is very dangerous for the grains ) . Also make sure that water is cool and not hot .
Tip 2 ) You must not overheat or boil the kefir grains as too much heat can kill the beneficial bacteria present in kefir.
Tip 3) Put the grains in room temperature milk and not cold milk , as this will shock the grains.
Tip 4) The kefir grains should not be starved. You must change the milk after 48 hours. When the kefir grains are fed with fresh milk, they stay alive and active . Think of them like a pet. You have to feed them every day or they will misbehave or even die.
Tip 4) If you are going to be gone for more than 2 days and can't change their milk, put them in the fridge. They can stay this way for up to a month. When you come back, it will take about 3-4 batches of baby food sized milk batches , to revive them.
Tip 5) You should not freeze the kefir grains. Freezing totally stops or halts the fermentation process. Many kefir grains cannot be revived after freezing. They immediately go to a deep-sleep-freeze zone on freezing. The process of reviving frozen kefir grains is difficult. A better option is to dry the kefir grains .
Tip 6) Though there are no fixed kefir grains to milk ratio, the general rule is to use 1 part kefir grains and 6 parts milk by volume. The milk is the food for the grains .
Hope my tips will help you preserve and handle your kefir grains in a better way !
Happy kefiring !!!
