@burangful, yes kefir can be stored in a plastic bottle. We do recommend checking plastic containers very regularly for damage though. Damage such as scratches can harbor bacteria which can contaminate the kefir.
@burangful, we package our dried grains with a small amount of organic powdered milk. While not strictly necessary, it can help maintain the health of the grains long term (over 12 months).
Hi Sereena, since I'm limited to the number of characters we can have in a message in these YouTube posts, it's a little hard to troubleshoot here. Would you mind e-mailing us at customersupport @ culturesforhealth . com (remove spaces)? We'd be happy to help troubleshoot--we want to be sure the kefir grains work well for you!
I got my kefir grains last week, but so far, I haven't got lovely thick kefir, its just like the milk it started as! I'm so disappointed. It separates in the jar, I strain it and its just like liquid, its not lovely and smooth like this stuff. I have it in a glass jar, put some cloth and a rubber bank around the lid, leave it for 3 days on the bench and I get "milk"! What am I doing wrong here? Does it matter if the milk is cold when you put it in at the start?
As the kefir gets more solid, it can be more difficult to get through the strainer. If you haven't yet, try stirring it well while it's still in the jar to break up the solid portion then if necessary gently use your fingers or a spoon (preferably wooden or plastic) to work the kefir through the strainer. Another option is to let the kefir culture for less time as it will be less thick and move through the strainer more easily.
Many health food stores (and even some grocery stores) carry milk kefir. It's normally in the dairy section close to the milk. It's definitely a good idea to try it and see if it's something you like before launching into making it. If it turns out it's not for you, check out our water kefir video. We don't run into too many people who don't like water kefir.
I'd recommend making small batches of kefir (using even just a cup of milk) and watching the kefir closely to be sure you are catching it before it over-cultures. Within a few days you will likely see a difference in the taste and smell. If you are seneitive to the smell of yeast, you'll likely always notice a bit of a yeast smell since yeast is a primary component of kefir but it shouldn't be the dominant odor.
A yeasty smell in taste isn't uncommon for the first few batches. It can take a few batches for the yeast and bacteria that comprise the kefir grains to rebalance themselves. We don't generally recommend putting the kefir grains in water to adjust from shipping as water contains no food for them so they immediately begin to starve which would only further cause the yeast and bacteria to become out of balance.
Can I store the milk kefir in a plastic bottle?
burangful 6 months ago
@burangful, yes kefir can be stored in a plastic bottle. We do recommend checking plastic containers very regularly for damage though. Damage such as scratches can harbor bacteria which can contaminate the kefir.
CulturesforHealth 6 months ago
@CulturesforHealth I'd like to ask how do you pack dried milk kefir grains? Can I use ziplock bags with powdered milk? Thank you! :)
burangful 6 months ago
@burangful, we package our dried grains with a small amount of organic powdered milk. While not strictly necessary, it can help maintain the health of the grains long term (over 12 months).
CulturesforHealth 6 months ago
Hi Sereena, since I'm limited to the number of characters we can have in a message in these YouTube posts, it's a little hard to troubleshoot here. Would you mind e-mailing us at customersupport @ culturesforhealth . com (remove spaces)? We'd be happy to help troubleshoot--we want to be sure the kefir grains work well for you!
CulturesforHealth 7 months ago
I got my kefir grains last week, but so far, I haven't got lovely thick kefir, its just like the milk it started as! I'm so disappointed. It separates in the jar, I strain it and its just like liquid, its not lovely and smooth like this stuff. I have it in a glass jar, put some cloth and a rubber bank around the lid, leave it for 3 days on the bench and I get "milk"! What am I doing wrong here? Does it matter if the milk is cold when you put it in at the start?
Sereena111 7 months ago
As the kefir gets more solid, it can be more difficult to get through the strainer. If you haven't yet, try stirring it well while it's still in the jar to break up the solid portion then if necessary gently use your fingers or a spoon (preferably wooden or plastic) to work the kefir through the strainer. Another option is to let the kefir culture for less time as it will be less thick and move through the strainer more easily.
CulturesforHealth 8 months ago
I have the hardest time straining it. The milk just won't go through! Hopefully when I buy a new strainer today that will help.
Rbmrm 8 months ago
Thank you for this clear and beautiful video!
Crunchy68 9 months ago 2
Many health food stores (and even some grocery stores) carry milk kefir. It's normally in the dairy section close to the milk. It's definitely a good idea to try it and see if it's something you like before launching into making it. If it turns out it's not for you, check out our water kefir video. We don't run into too many people who don't like water kefir.
CulturesforHealth 1 year ago
I'm curious to know what this milk tastes like. I wish I could get a small sample at a health food grocery store before buying it.
ViergeVraie 1 year ago
I'd recommend making small batches of kefir (using even just a cup of milk) and watching the kefir closely to be sure you are catching it before it over-cultures. Within a few days you will likely see a difference in the taste and smell. If you are seneitive to the smell of yeast, you'll likely always notice a bit of a yeast smell since yeast is a primary component of kefir but it shouldn't be the dominant odor.
CulturesforHealth 1 year ago
A yeasty smell in taste isn't uncommon for the first few batches. It can take a few batches for the yeast and bacteria that comprise the kefir grains to rebalance themselves. We don't generally recommend putting the kefir grains in water to adjust from shipping as water contains no food for them so they immediately begin to starve which would only further cause the yeast and bacteria to become out of balance.
CulturesforHealth 1 year ago
Do you ever find kefir has a yeasty taste and smell?
Do kefir grains need to go through a few batches of milk after it's first been put in water to adjust after shipping?
mishmo 1 year ago