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.
When I started my water kefir journey I got my grains before I knew anything about how to take care of them. After researching online, I was left more confused than I was before. Most websites either contained vague information or an overwhelming abundance of information. I ended up frustrated and afraid to start. Easy access to information about fermenting should be available for everyone to enjoy the health benefits, so I’ve compiled my research and experience here to help you get started on your journey.
Let’s start with some frequently asked questions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Water Kefir
What does water kefir do you for?
Water kefir is a culture of yeast and bacteria that feeds on sugar water to create a mild, fizzy beverage. It contains probiotics, antioxidants, and tons of essential vitamins and nutrients.
The probiotics found in water kefir aid in gut health and digestion. It can be used to help treat gut health issues such as IBS. The probiotics found in water kefir have antibiotic properties that can help fight bad bacteria, boost your immune system, help fight illnesses, and alleviate allergies.
The antioxidants contained in water kefir have anti-inflammatory properties that can alleviate pain caused by inflammatory illnesses such as fibromyalgia, arthritis, and other autoimmune diseases. These antioxidants have also been shown to reduce free radicals that cause cancer, improve cardiovascular issues, and reduce the risk of neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
Drinking water kefir daily is excellent for your heart health. It can lower your blood pressure, help manage cholesterol levels, and improve triglycerides.
Water kefir contains calcium, vitamin D, B vitamins, vitamin K, phosphorus, and magnesium. Drinking it daily supports the health of your bones, skin, and hair. It decreases the risk of osteosclerosis, reduces acne, and brightens your skin tone.
With all this goodness, why wouldn’t you want to try adding water kefir to your diet?
Is water kefir full of sugar?
The yeast and bacteria in water kefir feed on sugar water during fermentation. This means that the sugar content from feeding it is reduced by 60-80% during the 48 hour primary fermentation. As a result, the finished product is low in sugar. It has even been found to help maintain glucose levels!
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.
Where to buy grains
If you’re new to water kefir and want to give it a try, you can buy grains online from Yemoos Nourishing Cultures.
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
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.
Second Fermentation Recipes
Check out some of these recipes for different soda flavors:
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