How-To Make and Flavor Water Kefir

sugar

🥗Healthier: honey

💰Cheaper: brown sugar

Honey provides natural sweetness with additional nutrients.

water kefir grains

💰Cheaper: sugar

Sugar is a common substitute for those unable to find grains.

dried fruit

🥗Healthier: fresh fruit

💰Cheaper: canned fruit

Canned fruit can be less expensive and still add flavor.

vanilla extract

🥗Healthier: vanilla bean

💰Cheaper: imitation vanilla

Imitation vanilla is a cost-effective flavoring.

Boil water to prepare for dissolving sugar.

In a glass jar, add 1/4 cup of organic sugar.

Pour in 1/2 cup of hot water and stir until the sugar completely dissolves.

Add room temperature water to the jar until almost full, ensuring the mixture is not hot.

Strain the water kefir grains from a previous batch into a new container using a plastic strainer.

Add the water kefir grains to the jar with the sugar water mixture.

Cover the jar with a paper towel or cheesecloth and secure it with a rubber band.

Let the mixture ferment at room temperature, out of direct sunlight, for at least 24 hours, checking for cloudiness and pleasant smell.

After fermentation, taste the water kefir and assess sweetness and tanginess.

For flavoring, add lemon juice and passion fruit pulp to the finished water kefir.

If using fresh fruit, change it daily to prevent mold; dried fruit can stay for a few days.

Bottle the flavored water kefir in airtight bottles and let it sit at room temperature for 1-2 days for carbonation if desired.

Refrigerate the bottles to stop fermentation and serve chilled.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary