Can i rescue my kefir grains?
I had a lovely big kefir grain, been making kefir everyday for years. Today I accidentally put it in the blender with the milk and fruit. I managed to sieve out a few tiny bits of grain which I've put into milk. Will they grow again?
Best Answer
The grains are really just a symbiotic colony of microscopic yeasts and bacteria that grow in and ferment milk into kefir, similar to the "SCOBY" that ferments kombucha, or the "mother" that ferments vinegar. The individual organisms are far too small to be harmed even by the intense action of a professional blender; if you managed to rescue some, then given sufficient food (i.e. milk) they should grow and develop new grains.
The one caveat here is that the specific strains of the organism can differ, potentially even within a colony; it's possible that the grains which survived blending won't contain exactly the same mix of bacteria and yeast that you had originally, though they should be pretty close.
You should be able to resume your normal daily production and the grains will get back to their former size eventually. Just check the next few batches before consuming to make sure the kefir hasn't been thrown off.
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Quick Answer about "Can i rescue my kefir grains?"
Kefir grains keep a LONG time, like wine. It may even smell just like wine (or pickles). Many times you can revive neglected or forgotten grains stored in the back of the fridge. We have known people who have successfully revived grains that have been stored in the fridge for 2-3 years!How do you reset kefir grains?
The best way to rest water kefir grains it to give them a good rinse and rest them in plain unchlorinated water in the fridge for 2-3 days. It helps reset and refresh them. If you are using a very heavy mineral rich recipe, it may need to be rested as much as once a week.How do you tell if your kefir grains are dead?
To find out if your water kefir grains have died, you can test them by making them ferment a new batch. If the grains are dead, the water will remain very sweet and there will be no sign of fermentation. Another sign is the appearance of mould on the surface.Can you ruin kefir grains?
The biggest danger with leaving the kefir grains in the same milk for more than 48 hours is that they may begin to starve, which can damage the kefir grains. Separate the grains and put them into fresh milk right away. As long as the finished, separated, kefir smells and tastes okay, it can be consumed.How do you keep kefir grains alive when not in use?
Place the kefir grains in clean glass jars or freezer-safe, zipper-sealed plastic bags. Add enough dry milk powder to cover the kefir grains completely, then seal the container and stick it in the freezer for up to two months.How To Revive Your Milk Kefir Grains
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