You want to start by having some good grains. You can get a starter pack from a friend or order online.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED:
1 QT Mason jars (or other jars) with lids (or paper towels and rubber bands)
Spring water
Organic brown sugar
¼ C water kefir grains per 1 QT jar
¼ Lemon and 4 raisons per 1 QT of kefir
A dark place to keep your jars for 24-72 hours
A mesh strainer
There are many different ways to make water kefir, what I will show you today is the best basic way I have found. I have learned a few tricks that I think are really cool. Lets start with some clean equipment...
In your 1 QT jar place 2 or 3 tablespoons of organic brown sugar. Fill the jar to about 2 inches from the top with spring water. Gently stir. Add ¼ c water kefir grains. Take your ¼ lemon and remove the rind and gently put that and the 4 raisons in the jar. Place your lid on and put the jar (or jars) in a dark cabinet for 24-72 hours.
How do you know when its done? Well, the raisons will float to the top! How cool is that?! Now, once the raisons have all floated to the top, I usually let mine sit for another 24 hours. The lemon that you put in will help the water keep its PH also. That’s another trick I learned.
Now what I have just told is is for a BASIC PLAIN batch of water kefir. And there is SO MUCH you can actually do with this stuff. You can flavor it any way you would like. You can also flavor at a first fermentation (when you are preparing it) or you can do a second one (after you finalize the first product, add flavors then) My personal favorite is to add 4 slices of ginger to the first fermentation. I add them along with the lemon and raisons.
OK, so your water kefir is done. Now what?
Get your mesh strainer and whatever container you are putting your final product in. Strain the grains out of the water. You should notice more grains now than when you started. These babies grow. A good batch can grow up to 50% in a few days in the right conditions. So you take those grains and start a new batch, using only ¼ c per 1 QT of water.
Some variations:
Instead of a lemon, use a lime
Add slices of bananas, apples, or pears to flavor
Add lime and mint leaves for mojito water kefir
Juice a peach and mix it with ½ water kefir
Juice a cup of grape juice, add to a cup of water kefir
Look online for some many more ideas!
And finally, WHY should you add water kefir to your diet?
Here's just a few of the MANY benefits of drinking Water Kefir...
Contains a wide variety of good bacteria and beneficial yeasts as well as many vitamins, minerals, amino acids and enzymes.
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Has antibiotic and anti fungal properties.
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Contributes to a healthy immune system and has been used to help patients suffering from many conditions, including AIDS, chronic fatigue syndrome, herpes, Candida, autoimmune diseases and cancer.
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Can stop unhealthy food cravings, especially cravings for sugar and sweet foods.
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Aids in the digestion of all foods.
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Has a tonifying affect on the intestines, reduces bloating, and flattens the abdominals!
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It appears to cleanse the liver. In Chinese medicine the liver rules the skin, eyes, and joints. Thus, Water kefir can ease aches, joint pains, and vision woes.
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Many see changes in their complexion and overall condition of their skin.
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Brown liver spots may fade as can skin tags, moles, warts, etc.
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With high levels of valuable minerals, including potassium, natural sodium, and chloride, the hair, skin and nails become stronger and have a prettier shine.
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It appears to have a beneficial, cleansing effect on the endocrine system (adrenals, thyroid, pituitary, ovaries). Women find that their periods are healthier; some who had experienced early menopause have found this important monthly cleansing returning again.
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It increases energy and gives you an overall feeling of good health.
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Its tranquilizing effect on the nervous system has benefited many who suffer from sleep disorders, depression, ADHD and autism.
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Drinking water kefir regularly can help, promote bowel movement, relieve all intestinal disorders, reduce flatulence and help create an all together healthier digestive system.
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It's cleansing effect on the whole body helps to establish a balanced inner ecosystem for optimum health and longevity.
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Eases psoriasis. It can also ameliorate eczema and acne.
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