Water kefir: how to make it at home and its benefits

Water kefir is a probiotic drink that strengthens the immune system, is suitable for vegans and celiacs.

Water Kefir is a probiotic drink made from kefir grains, plain water and a natural sweetener. It is an excellent probiotic drink suitable for vegetarians and vegans that stimulates and strengthens the immune system. Furthermore, it does not contain gluten and is also suitable for celiacs.

Water kefir is a probiotic drink made from kefir grains, plain water and a natural sweetener. There are two types of kefir: milk kefir and water kefir. In milk kefir there are about 30 different species of live enzymes, while water kefir contains only 10-15 species of enzymes that can digest other types of sugars, but not lactose. For this reason, water kefir is an excellent probiotic drink suitable for vegetarians and vegans. Furthermore, does not contain gluten and is also suitable for consumption by celiacs. But the main reason for the consumption of water kefir by vegans and those who are lactose intolerant is the fact that water kefir contains probiotics, best friends for the strengthening of the immune system. And not only; It has been scientifically proven and with many testimonies that regular consumption of at least 1 liter of water kefir per day helps to heal some of the autoimmune diseases such as, for example, Chrohn's disease.

What, in particular, does water kefir contain?

Here is the list of the main bacteria and yeasts present in water kefir:

Index

Battery

Specie Lactobacillus

L. brevis
L.casei
L. hilgardii
L. barley
L. nagelii

Leuconostoc species

L. lemon
L. mesenteroides

Specie Acetobacter

A. beans
A. orientalis

Specie Streptococcus

S. lactis

Yeasts

Hanseniaospora valbyensis
Lachancea fermented
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Zygotorulaspora ﬂ orentina

To prepare 1 liter of water kefir you need:

Water kefir granules
1 l of still water
32 g of natural sugar
3 lemon wedges (or other sour fruit, such as blueberries, for example)
1 dried fruit (1 apricot, 1 fig, 1 plum or whatever you like)
Cinnamon, vanilla bean or other natural flavorings (optional)
1 glass jar

How to prepare it:

In a transparent container, pour 1 l of still water and the natural sugar.
Stir until the sugar has dissolved.
Introduce the kefir grains, lemon and dried fruit. Possibly also cinnamon or vanilla.
Leave in a container at room temperature for 48 h.

Water kefir: how to make it at home and its benefits

Notes

To keep kefir water low on the glycemic index, I use natural and organic coconut sugar. For those who do not have these needs, you can add whole cane sugar. The use of honey in the long run weakens the ferments.

I don't think it's necessary, but I'll mention it anyway: all the flavors and fruit used to flavor the water kefir drink (such as lemon, dried fruit or flavorings) must be absolutely organic and natural.

Among the natural flavors to change the taste of water kefir, I recommend natural vanilla or lemon.

Some recipes indicate the use of a jar with a lid. I use a clean cloth with which I cover the jar and a kitchen elastic to tighten it, thus allowing my water kefir to breathe and multiply better.

Fermentation times

The fermentation time, in my opinion, should not exceed 48 hours. Fermentation can take place at room temperature. To slow down the fermentation process, you can leave the water kefir in the refrigerator.

If you want to take a break from kefir, prepare the sugar water and leave it in the refrigerator. It keeps for a week (do not drink the water from this kefir). To reuse the kefir grains, rinse the jar thoroughly under running water.

Water kefir, if not appreciated on its own, even if naturally flavored, can be used as a base for many centrifuged and smoothies made with fresh fruit and / or vegetables.