Homemade Kefir and Kombucha

[Thirteen]

I love kefir, and finally got ahold of some grains to make my own, self-sustaining cultures!
It's not for the faint of heart: smells like milk beer or something. But it's so good and good for you - I'm turning DF into a drinker too.
Two cultures so far: organic whole milk, and two percent. Thinking about switching it down to fat free, but I'm afraid it would die. I'll keep you posted on this one.

Also, kombucha - fermented tea. Sounds gross, but I love it more than kefir. My first batch after I acquired the SCOBY from a friend tastes great! I added some ginger slices to two, and then pomegranate juice to a few more. I'll let you know how it all turns out, and will post pictures up soon.

I love my NorCal hippie friends (wife - res. doctor with my DF, husband - seminarian, pastor).

[DCJenn]

Love them both- my little Russian drinks kefir all the time.

How do you get the stuff for kumbucha because at $3/bottle at whole foods, it's an expensive habit.

Jenn

No kidding. I should make my own.

[Cumberland]

I have kefir grains if anyone wants me to mail some. I tried to give my extras away on freecycle here but no one wanted any.

I would be into a Kombucha scobie too, I love it drink it but man it is pricey.

[DCJenn]

That would be great! I go through kefir like it's water in my house.

I'll PM you my info.

Jenn

(and I'd be up for the kombucha thing, too)

[MarissaNicole]

Just curious how you came across these things - I have never heard of them before! Perhaps I live under a rock?

[DCJenn]

Kefir is basically yogurt drink. At least that's how we refer to it in my house "strawberry yogurt drink". Lifeway is a very common brand and at least at my grocery stores, it's in the yogurt sections. If the commissary has it, every grocery store in the universe has it.

Kombucha is a bizarre thing- it's fermented tea (and other stuff like juice) and literally swims with the yeasts. Crazy. It's an acquired taste but once you acquire it, there's no going back.

Jenn

[Thirteen]

Kombucha is a bizarre thing- it's fermented tea (and other stuff like juice) and literally swims with the yeasts. Crazy. It's an acquired taste but once you acquire it, there's no going back.

Jenn

Amen. Think of it as a non-alcoholic beverage that has the fermented smell and carbonation of a hard cider, but isn't actually bad for you
Yeeeehaw! So cheap to make - you should try it.

[Thirteen]

Just curious how you came across these things - I have never heard of them before! Perhaps I live under a rock?

Well, I've found all sorts of weird stuff since I moved to L.A. - and I had a very eccentric boss, so that helped a bit. I'm pretty brave when it comes to food-related stuff, and it appears to have paid off for both of these.
There are international groups on Yahoo, should you want to possibly purchase or get SCOBY/grains for free in your area. Huzzah! Happy searching!

Sue Anne - I'd be up for some kefir grains as well. I bought a case of kefir at Costco last week, and even though I've limited the boys to 1/day, it's almost gone. They don't forget -- they love it.

[MarissaNicole]

Hmm I think I will have to look for kefir at the grocery store.... I'm not sure I am adventurous enough to try the kombucha yet though....