26 February 2008
We recently purchased a package of Kefir, acquiring it From Fields and Gardens.
In short, kefir is a form of bacteria that you let sit on your counter, ferment, and grow. Then you eat it. Well, not it, just the milk it’s been sitting in for the past 24-48 hours.
Kefir is a pro-biotic. An anti-biotic is something that kills the bad and good bacteria in the body. A pro-biotic, builds up the good, healthy bacteria in the body. By this process, it assists the digestive system and is a helper to the intestines.
Depending on how long you let it sit on the counter, the thickness of the milk varies. The longer it sits, the thicker it gets.
The first time Mom explained this process to me, I was quite grossed out, but it’s really not as bad as it sounds.
We make smoothies out of the “concoction.” Usually the flavor is of some sort of berry. Long ago, in a far away land (about 5 days ago, here at home) we used to make our smoothies with yogurt, milk, berries, and a little bit of sugar. Now we’ve down-sized and use only berries, kefir, and a little bit of sugar. They don’t taste all that different.
If you’d like to see a cute video about making kefir smoothies, please click here. Mia and Katie demonstrate how their family makes smoothies using kefir.
Kefir will ferment and continue to grow when placed in animal milk. If the kefir is in non-animal (soy, etc.) milk, it will ferment, but will discontinue its development.
Since we’ve first gotten the kefir it as grown into about 1 and 1/3 of it’s original size. One day we will have to separate it and share it with fellow citizens who are interested in trying out this bacteria.
Kefir looks a bit like cauliflower without the stem. I have not yet touched it, but it makes me think of small rubber doorknobs.
The smell is like that of plain yogurt, just strong. When we first got it, I wasn’t willing to smell it because Bre thought it smelled gross. Since then, the smell has changed, and it’s actually quite delightful.
I‘ve learned quite a bit since we’ve bought the kefir, it’s a growing process. (*get it — growing*)
Have you ever heard of kefir? Do you own any kefir? If you do, do you have any suggestions as to how else we might use it?
I know this is an old post but oh my goodness! I thought that my family were the only people that still did kefir! A friend gave it to us several years ago and we’ve been growing it ever since. we make smoothies with kefir, strawberries, blueberries, bananas, ground flax, and honey. Another great use for the extras, is to give them to your dog – They love them!!
p.s. I loved reading about your fearlessly feminine week! My family does skirts all the time so it was nice to hear about another persons experience with something that I have come to take for granted!
~God bless!