How to Make Water Kefir
Water kefir, also called tibicos, is a refreshing and healthy fermented soda that is easy to make at home. It is a perfect way to kick a soda habit or add the health benefits of fermented beverages to your diet. Caring for water kefir can feel really intimidating at first, but it’s actually quite easy. I’ve compiled a care guide to help you get started on your water kefir journey.
Let’s start with some frequently asked questions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Water Kefir
How much water kefir can you drink per day?
Start out with a smaller amount and increase over time. Drinking too much water kefir in the beginning can cause gas and bloating if your body isn’t used to all the live cultures.
How to tell if water kefir grains are bad
Kefir grains are extraordinarily resilient. Unless they show visible mold or no longer produce CO2 bubbles during fermentation, they are likely okay.
If your kefir grains show signs of mold, throw them out immediately. Otherwise, try rinsing your grains with filtered water and feed them again for primary fermentation to revive them.
Healthy grains should be plump and translucent. They may have a slight brown tinge if you’ve been using brown sugar or molasses. Dead grains will be slimy or mushy.
Kefir grains can be killed by neglect, underfeeding or overfeeding, heat (keep them out of direct sunlight), chlorine, or lack of nutrients. I use Berkey filtered water to feed my grains because of the high levels of chlorine in our tap water. Unfortunately, the Berkey also filters out the nutrients that the grains need to survive. If using filtered water be sure to add 1/2 teaspoon of molasses or a couple drops of trace minerals to your primary fermentation.
How often should you burp water kefir?
You should burp your water kefir every 24 hours while in secondary fermentation
How many times can water kefir grains be used?
If properly cared for, water kefir grains can last forever.
Recipe For Feeding Water Kefir Grains And Making Sodas
So how do you actually take care of the grains and make the soda?
Step 1
Start with a quart size glass jar and a digital scale. Fill your jar with room temperature, filtered water, making sure to leave enough room at the top for expansion.
Step 2
Add 50 grams of sugar and either 3 grams of molasses or 2 drops of trace minerals to your water. Stir.
Step 3
Add 40 grams of water kefir grains to your sugar water solution. Stir.
Step 4
Cover your jar with plastic wrap, Bee’s Wrap (shown below), or a non-airtight lid. Never use an airtight lid on your kefir grains during fermentation. Your jar will explode.
Leave your jar on the counter for 48 hours for primary fermentation to occur.
Step 5
After 48 hours, add 1/4 cup fruit or fruit juice to a flip top bottle. Use a mesh strainer (not metal) to strain the cultured water into the bottle of your fruit or juice.
I have bought flip top bottles on Amazon and they work fine. However, if you have a World Market store nearby, my favorite flip top bottles are the ones filled with Italian soda. We drink the Italian soda and then I wash and save the jars for water kefir.
Step 6
Once you’ve strained the water into your bottle, secure the airtight lid and place in a warm spot on your counter out of direct sunlight.
Step 7
Repeat step 1 with the grains. Fill your quart size mason jar with water, add 50 grams of sugar, 3 grams of molasses or a couple drops of trace minerals, stir. Pour 40 grams of your grains into the new sugar water mixture, and repeat the process.
Step 8
After your flip top bottle with cultured water and fruit has sat in secondary fermentation on your counter for 24 hours, you’ll need to burp (open) the bottle. If you barely get a “pop” sound when you open it, close it again and let it ferment for an additional 24 hours. The length of this process will depend on factors like the temperature in your home. Always make sure to burp your bottle every 24 hours to prevent the glass from exploding.
Step 9
When you’re happy with the level of carbonation in your soda, place in the refrigerator to slow down the fermentation process. Drink chilled within 10 days.
Water Kefir Product Recommendations
Second Fermentation Recipes
Check out some secondary fermentation flavor ideas here.
How To Brew Water Kefir
Water kefir, also called tibicos, is a refreshing and healthy fermented soda that is easy to make at home. It is a perfect way to kick a soda habit or add the health benefits of fermented beverages to your diet.
Materials
- Filtered water
- 50 g sugar
- 3 g molasses or 2 drops of trace minerals
- 40 g water kefir grains
- 1/4 c juice or fruit
Tools
- Quart size glass mason jar
- Digital scale
- Plastic wrap or Bee's Wrap
- Mesh strainer (not metal)
- Flip top bottles
Instructions
- Start with a quart size glass jar and a digital scale. Fill your jar with room temperature, filtered water, making sure to leave enough room at the top for expansion.
- Add 50 grams of sugar and either 3 grams of molasses or 2 drops of trace minerals to your water. Stir.
- Add 40 grams of water kefir grains to your sugar water solution. Stir.
- Cover your jar with plastic wrap, Bee’s Wrap, or a non-airtight lid. Never use an airtight lid on your kefir grains during fermentation. Your jar will explode.
- Leave your jar on the counter for 48 hours for primary fermentation to occur.
- After 48 hours, add 1/4 cup fruit or fruit juice to a flip top bottle. Use a mesh strainer (not metal) to strain the cultured water into the bottle of your fruit or juice.
- Once you’ve strained the water into your bottle, secure the airtight lid and place in a warm spot on your counter out of direct sunlight.
- Repeat step 1 with the grains. Fill your quart size mason jar with water, add 50 grams of sugar, 3 grams of molasses or a couple drops of trace minerals, stir. Pour 40 grams of your grains into the new sugar water mixture, and repeat the process.
- After your flip top bottle with cultured water and fruit has sat in secondary fermentation on your counter for 24 hours, you’ll need to burp (open) the bottle. If you barely get a “pop” sound when you open it, close it again and let it ferment for an additional 24 hours. The length of this process will depend on factors like the temperature in your home. Always make sure to burp your bottle every 24 hours to prevent the glass from exploding.
- When you’re happy with the level of carbonation in your soda, place in the refrigerator to slow down the fermentation process. Drink chilled within 10 days.
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