Homemade kefir

Method

• step 1

  Put ½ tsp kefir grains in the jar. Add the milk, leaving about 2cm head room if using a clip top jar, or at least 5cm for a cloth-covered jar.

• step 2

  Set aside at room temperature for 18-24 hrs to ferment. It’s turned to kefir when the milk has thickened. It may have set and separated, with pockets of whey forming – this is quite normal.

• step 3

  If you can’t strain it straight away, put it in the fridge to stop it fermenting further, the flavour can get quite strong – you can strain it anytime over the next 48 hrs.

• step 4

  Strain the kefir through the sieve or straining funnel into the jug or bottle. The grains are quite robust and will withstand gentle stirring.

• step 5

  You can drink it straight away, flavour and refrigerate it (a slice of lemon peel or a drop of lemon oil add a delicious fresh taste), or leave it at room temperature for a few hours to make it taste stronger. Storing it in the fridge will slow down the fermentation by the microbes and it should remain pleasantly useable for 7-10 days.

• step 6

  In order to make some more kefir, rinse out the jar, return the grains (don’t wash them, there’s no need), and start again from the beginning.