2 TBSP Milk Kefir Grains and ebook “Milk Kefir Unleashed by Thomas Egbert” - Fresh Live Active Probiotic Starter Cultures

This product was recommended to me by a friend who started drinking kefir after hearing a local doctor sing its praises as a preventative measure for COVID. I had been drinking Trader Joe's Kefir for years, but the nearest store is an hour away, and with the pandemic the drive just isn't possible. So, after hearing how much he liked these, I gave them a try. In a word: Awesome.REVIVING THE GRAINSThe grains arrived promptly, well packaged and protected from leaking during transport. I had read many reviews saying to quickly get them in milk, so I did so. Make sure you read the directions enclosed. They are thorough and following them will ensure that your grains revive and start producing great kefir. Particularly, letting them go for 36 hours on the first two go-rounds seems important – this allows the bacteria/yeast ratio to balance out. I was impatient and didn’t let it go long enough the first time, and the yeast was just overwhelming. Allowing the next batch to ferment longer eliminated the imbalance and left a pleasing, mild yeasty aroma. If the whey is separating, that's the time to move forward, but the first two seem to take a bit longer than subsequent batches as the grains recover from their travels through the postal system.TASTEThis is NOT grocery store kefir! The results are a bit yeasty, pleasantly sour and (this was a surprise to my wife and myself) effervescent. Grocery store kefirs are not effervescent (apparently) because the containers would explode. To prevent this, it seems that only a fraction of the good bacteria and yeast are actually present in commercial kefirs. Be prepared for a tremendously different taste experience.We found the first fermentation thin, so I quickly started doing a second ferment on all batches made for drinking. Adding a SMALL amount of “pre-biotic” (a couple of berries or other source of sugar for the second ferment) will add a LOT of flavor. Lemon peel (I only used the peel, since it’s quite strong) or a slice or two of an orange adds a really nice flavor. Whatever you add – especially strawberries or other fruits – strain before storing. The acid in the kefir quickly works to degrade the fruit, leaving an unpleasant texture. Add fruit when drinking later, but I would definitely not recommend leaving it in after the second ferment is accomplished. Be careful with vanilla extract, etc. It does not take much to be too much.GRAIN GROWTHThese rascals are healthy! These added grains so fast that after two weeks I was having to make a half gallon each day just to keep up. In my research, I read that you can take extra grains and “rest them” so you don’t have to keep using all of them. Also mentioned was the need to keep them active for 4 weeks at first to keep them healthy while they rest. Since a half gallon is more than we can consume just drinking, I used this extra kefir to make cream cheese – super simple with a strainer and a couple of coffee filters. Excellent cheese and as fresh as it gets.After getting to nearly three Tbsp of grains, I split the kefir grains and used 1 Tbsp to continue making a reduced quantity of kefir daily (1 Tbsp for a quart, which we can keep up with) and the rest to experiment with half and half instead of whole milk. This produces something closer to sour cream. I made a batch, strained out the grains, and they are now resting in the refrigerator.Highly recommend this product – it’s hard to believe that we can now enjoy fresh and healthy kefir forever at the cost of milk. I visited our local health food store and they wanted $6.95 for a quart.As a final note, I purchased some freeze-dried kefir packets from another vendor – they produced a tasty product, but not in the same universe as the results of these wonderful grains.Thanks to Fusion Teas for a great, reasonably priced product.

Amazing product:) Seller knows what they are talking about and sells you an excellent product. Item arrived clean and packaged correctly. I was surprised how fast it worked and how easy it was to get good clean homemade kefir. The kefir was very yummy and lacked the excess sodium and fillers that store bought kefir has. I am a pharmacist and had my doubts but after doing my research and getting these grains, I became a believer. Thanks again to seller :)

This Kefir is a great quality product. I got into Kefir making around Christmas and since then my batch has doubled several times and I’ve been able to give grains away to others.

This is the first time I've ordered kefir grains but I'm glad I ordered them from Fusion Teas. Grains arrived in excellent condition and they looked healthy and ready to go. I've been making kefir since April 15 of this year. After a few adjustments in the grain to milk ratio, my kefir is turning out pretty good. The only thing I'm not experiencing that other reviewers are talking about is the rate at which the grains are multiplying. Mine have only double in size but that's all. Does anybody knows why that is? I keep them in a jar in the refrigerator and replace the milk at least once a week. There's only two of us drinking it so I start a new batch every 2-3 days. Any advice will be appreciated. BTW, ever since I started drinking kefir for breakfast, my IBS symptoms have subsided and I've never felt better in a long time. So, if you're reading this and looking for something to correct the flora imbalance in your gut, kefir might just work for you too.UPDATE: How I make Thick and Creamy Kefir:it took me a while to figure out how to make thick and creamy kefir like the Lifeway brand. I experimented with various milks (whole, goat, low-fat) never being able to replicate Lifeway's consistency. Until I read that if one uses milk with higher fat content, it will result in a creamier kefir. So, I started mixing Half-and-Half with "Nestle Nido" instant milk powder and voila! they did the trick. Another important detail is that the fermentation time is not as important as what is actually taking place inside the jar. KEFIR IS READY WHEN YOU SEE LITTLE POCKETS OF WHEY PEEKING THROUGH THE GLASS SURFACE. At this point, as you stir the kefir, you'll notice that it has thickened considerably (buttermilk consistency). Amazingly, this occurs very quickly, within 30 minutes of being ready. I have kept track of the fermentation process and my kefir has been ready at various times, anywhere from 20 to 28 hours depending on the number of grains in the jar and the temperature inside the house. Conversely, I also discovered that if I go over this "ready" point and wait until the milk and whey have separated, my kefir will be soupy and tangier. So, longer fermentation time doesn't mean creamier kefir. Here's my favorite recipe, it makes one quart:8 tbsp. Nestle instant powder milk dissolved in2 cups of warm water2 cups Half-and-Half¼ cup kefir grains (separate into smaller grains if they've grown too large)When it's ready, I strain it and add 2 tsp. vanilla extract and sweeten it with stevia to taste. That's it. If you're having trouble cooking up thicker and creamier kefir, try this method. BTW, Amazon carries Nestle Nido or you can find it at your local Walmart or Publix. I get the 3-1/2 lb. container and it lasts for a long time in the pantry.

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This seller was recommended to me by my primary care physician the day she told me to drink kefir. She was right on the money. Not only did the kefir grains arrive fresh and beautiful, they didn't take long to "wake up" and start doing what they are meant to do. This seller gives amazing information on making kefir, in the form of PDF documents, with literally every case scenario you can imagine so that you'll know EVERYTHING about how to make, how to store, how to take a break, etc. And for people like me, who panic that they are doing it wrong, you can email him and he's extremely quick to answer back and put your mind at ease, answering any questions you ask.If you think kefir sounds icky - it's not. If you'll blend your portion with a couple of shots of liquid stevia and a few frozen strawberries, it tastes just like drinkable yogurt, albeit with a bit of an "alcohol feel" bite to it. It's delicious, and you'll never get this many probiotics in a pill! I highly recommend this seller for your kefir grains.