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.
Water kefir is a delicious way to enjoy the health benefits of fermented foods and beverages. It has done amazing things for my family and I. Easy access to information about fermenting should be available to everyone, 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.
What does water kefir do you for?
Probiotics and Gut Health
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. My husband has always had gut issues and an array of food sensitivities. We noticed a tremendous difference in his comfort and quality of life within a week or two of drinking water kefir daily. The probiotics found in the kefir also allow your body to better absorb nutrients and helps your digestive enzymes absorb less fat and carbohydrates which helps with weight management. I’ve been trying to lose the weight I gained from gestational diabetes during my pregnancy. My weight loss went stagnant after a year and I struggled to continue dropping pounds. I was finally able to break that threshold and start losing weight again after starting our water kefir journey.
Probiotics and Immunity
The probiotics found in water kefir have antibiotic properties that can help fight bad bacteria such as e. coli, listeria, and salmonella. It boosts your immune system and can help fight illness like the flu and Covid-19 and ease allergy symptoms.
Antioxidants in Water Kefir
The antioxidants contained in water kefir have anti-inflammatory properties, which have been so beneficial to my overall health. These antioxidants can alleviate pain caused by inflammatory illnesses such as fibromyalgia, arthritis, and other autoimmune diseases. I have fibromyalgia and have been dealing with chronic pain for 16 years. Since switching to water kefir I have only had 1 fibromyalgia flair up. This has been a huge improvement from the daily aching pains and frequent debilitating flair ups.
The antioxidants in water kefir 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.
Water Kefir and Heart Health
Drinking water kefir daily is excellent for your heart health. It can lower your blood pressure, help manage cholesterol levels, and improve triglycerides.
Vitamins and Minerals in Water Kefir
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.
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!
Is water kefir better than kombucha?
That depends on personal taste. Both are fermented beverages made up of bacteria and yeast. The difference is that kombucha feeds on tea which gives it a stronger, more sour flavor with added caffeine. Water kefir is caffeine free and has a milder flavor.
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.
Should water kefir be refrigerated?
During primary fermentation and secondary you will need to leave your mason jar on the counter, away from direct sunlight, to ferment. After your secondary fermentation you will want to store your flip top bottle of kefir soda in the refrigerator to slow down the fermentation process so your bottle doesn’t explode and drink within 10 days.
If you are unable to feed your kefir grains every 48 hours, you can also store them in the refrigerator to slow down the fermentation process. They will need to be fed every 1-2 weeks if stored this way.
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 do 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
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 an Aldi store nearby, my favorite flip top bottles are the ones filled with sparkling lemonade. We drink the lemonade and then I wash and save the jars for water kefir. You can find them at Aldi on the juice aisle.
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.
How to Make Water Kefir
Description
How to make water kefir for a gut healthy, fermented soda option.
Supplies
Ingredients
Primary Fermentation
- Fill jar with room temperature filtered water. Leave some room at the top for expansion.
- Add 50 grams of sugar and 3 grams of molasses (or a couple drops of trace minerals) and stir.
- Add 40 grams of water kefir grains. Stir.
- Cover with plastic wrap or a lid that is NOT airtight. (Do not use an airtight lid for your kefir grains. The jar will explode.) Place jar on the counter somewhere warm out of direct sunlight.
- Allow to ferment for 48 hours.
- After 48 hours, strain the cultured sugar water into a flip top bottle.
- Pour the grains from the strainer back into the quart size jar and repeat step 1.
- Add 1/4 cup of fruit or fruit juice to your flip top bottle containing your cultured sugar water.
- Secure the lid on the flip top bottle and let ferment on the counter, out of direct sunlight, for 24 hours.
- After 24 hours, burp your bottle. If you barely get a “pop” when you open the bottle, ferment for an additional 24 hours.
- After 48 hours, place your flip top bottle with your kefir soda on the fridge to slow down fermentation.
- Drink chilled for best flavor.
Secondary Fermentation
Video
Second Fermentation Recipes
Check out some of these recipes for different soda flavors.
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