Re: Inconsistent results with kefir

[Guest guest]

A couple of things might be going on. It is now summer (well,

depending on where you are) and the warmer temps speed up

fermentation. You can try gently shaking it now and then. Also, if

your house is rather warm, try 12 hours on the counter and then the

other 12 hours in the fridge before straining. Another thing you

can do is reduce the amount of grains you are using to slow down

fermentation.

Changes in temps may have thrown the balance of the organisms off.

Try resting your grains in yogurt for 24 hours. Make sure you use a

plain organic yogurt to do this. The yogurt rest (which Dom

suggests) helps restore the grains.

Are you rinsing your grains? As a general rule you should NOT rinse

dairy kefir grains. However, if there is a yellowish crust, you do

need to rinse and gently remove the crust by rubbing with your

fingers. Hope this helps a little. In my kefir group, it seems

warm temps frequently bring a change in the kefir. No need to try

and get new grains, it is very unlikely you've hurt yours.

Patty

>

> Lately we've been having very inconsistent results with our kefir-

making. We got our

> " grains " from a local WAPF member and they worked just fine for

several months. However,

> recently the kefir has been watery and lumpy, and tastes

somewhat " off " .