Whether you’re new to kefir grains or not, one thing that’s worth knowing is how to revive your kefir grains so you can keep using them.
That’s right – kefir grains can be reused and revived and it’s the reason a lot of kefir enthusiasts often use the same kefir grains for months, even years, at a time!
It’s important to remember that kefir grains are essentially a cluster of living organisms.
The healthy bacteria and yeast in kefir grains need looking after to stay alive, grow, and multiply, which also means that it’s possible to help these organisms thrive for continued use – no matter whether you’re eating the grains or using the kefir grains to make kefir!
In this guide, we’ll look at everything you need to know about kefir grains, including how to reuse kefir grains, how many times you can reuse kefir grains, how to revive kefir grains, how to look after kefir grains, and more.
What Are Kefir Grains?
Kefir grains have become increasingly popular over the last few years – and for good reason!
These grains are super healthy, consumed for their probiotic benefits, high nutritional value, and benefits that include boosting immune health and reducing inflammation.
So if you’re a big fan of probiotic drinks, then kefir grains are worth knowing about.
While they might look like sticky cauliflower florets, kefir grains are actually clusters of healthy microorganisms that can be consumed in different ways.
Above all, kefir grains are mostly popular for making kefir, a probiotic drink that, but can also be eaten and used as ingredients in smoothies, breakfast bowls, and more.
Either way, they’re great for gut health and digestion, along with a host of other healthful benefits.
The best thing about kefir grains is that they can be reused as well as revived with the right attention and proper care!
How To Make Kefir
If you’re new to kefir grains, the most popular use for kefir grains is making kefir.
This probiotic drink is easily made from kefir grains and can be consumed like any other probiotic drink, except with more flexibility since you can choose the ingredients – unlike store-bought probiotic drinks.
Making kefir is simple, as all it involves is mixing the kefir grains with dairy milk.
The dairy milk activates the kefir grains and begins to ferment, resulting in a probiotic mixture that can then be strained from the kefir grains and consumed as desired.
And generally all it takes is between 12 and 24 hours. So all you need to do is add milk to your kefir grains, leave the mixture overnight, then enjoy your homemade kefir drink whenever you want the next day!
How Many Times Can You Reuse Kefir Grains?
It might not seem like a good idea, but it’s more than possible to reuse kefir grains.
Kefir grains are living microorganisms, after all, so as long as the kefir grains are properly looked after, then it’s possible to keep using them to make kefir.
In fact, kefir grains can actually be reused indefinitely as long as they’re healthy.
This essentially means you can keep nourishing and growing the kefir grains—and, as a result, making kefir with them—by giving them the right attention and care.
So if you usually buy probiotic drinks and drink a lot of them, kefir grains can be a great way to save money!
Can You Revive Kefir Grains?
Reviving kefir grains essentially means bringing the kefir grains “back to life” after a period of disuse or inactivity.
You might be glad to know that it is possible to revive kefir grains, but it will also depend on the conditions they’ve been kept in.
In general, kefir grains that have been kept at room temperature can be revived even after two or three months.
Kefir grains don’t sit well with cold temperatures as well as hot temperatures, so it’s important to make sure to always keep them at an optimal temperature.
How To Revive Kefir Grains
If you haven’t used your kefir grains for two or three months but you are sure you have kept them at room temperature (not conditions that are too cold or too hot), then it’s worth trying to revive them.
Thankfully, this process is also pretty simple. To revive kefir grains, strain any milk from the kefir grains, then wash them with cold non-chlorinated water.
After that, mix the kefir grains with a small amount of milk (as though you are making kefir) to help revitalize the yeast and bacteria.
How To Look After Kefir Grains
To keep your kefir grains healthy and alive, it’s important to know how to look after your kefir grains properly.
This won’t just improve the taste and healthful benefits of the kefir you make from the kefir grains, but also help you to grow them and use the kefir grains for longer!
The best way to store your kefir grains is at an optimal temperature of between 68 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Kefir grains will struggle to survive in temperatures that are colder or hotter.
It’s also recommended to keep your kefir grains away from direct sunlight or heat sources, as this will also increase the temperature.
What Are The Benefits Of Kefir?
There are a ton of benefits to drinking kefir. And the more you take care of your kefir grains, the healthier your probiotic kefir drinks will be!
As a good source of probiotics, drinking kefir will improve gut health and general digestion. The healthy bacteria can prevent diarrhea and other stomach-related issues, including bloating and excess gas.
Kefir is also high in healthy nutrients, vitamins, and minerals, such as protein, calcium, magnesium, vitamin B12, riboflavin (vitamin B2), vitamin D, and phosphorus. Kefir is also great if you’re dieting, since it’s low in calories, fat, and carbohydrates.
More ways that drinking kefir can improve your health include reducing inflammation, reducing the risk of cancer, and improving bone and organ health.
Kefir is also low in lactose, making it suitable for those with lactose intolerance.
Other Ways To Use Kefir Grains
You don’t only have to drink kefir and eat kefir grains; they can also be used as an ingredient in meals and other types of drinks.
After all, once you have fermented kefir from your kefir grains, it’s possible to use the probiotic mixture in various ways.
These include adding kefir to smoothies, cereals, and homemade yogurts, or even smoothie bowls. You can also use kefir to make dips!
On top of that, kefir is pet-friendly and can be used to improve the nutrients in compost. If you have extra kefir grains, it’s also possible to freeze them in a jar for later use.
Simply revive them with milk or another probiotic mixture to reactivate them.
Conclusion
To conclude, it’s more than possible to revive kefir grains after a period of not using them.
This includes after freezing the kefir grains, or if they’ve been kept at room temperature for two or three months. Simply wash the grains with cold water, then add milk to reactivate the bacteria.
Despite that, if the kefir tastes or smells different than usual, or if the kefir grains have an unusual consistency or texture, then it’s best to replace the kefir grains with new ones.
