What damage is caused to kefir when it comes into contact with metal?

What damage is caused to kefir when it comes into contact with metal? - Old fashioned cassette player placed in shabby garage near old industrial equipment

Advice differs. And what about contact with stainless steel, which was only invented in the 19th century, when kefir had already been consumed in the North Caucasus for centuries?



Best Answer

The damage is not so much as to the kefir but to the consumer of the kefir if it was made in a reactive metal. Kefir, being acidic, should not be in aluminum, brass, iron or copper as they react to acid. Stainless steel is preferred because it is inert to the milk kefir is made from. However, when first made stainless was unknown.

Unless you have a real goat skin, about the best thing to make kefir in is glass. The "grains" are really a mix of yeasts and bacteria, and those can live in as much as a very light scratch in plastic. For this reason you should use glass to ferment it, and you can use a stainless spoon to stir.




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What happens if metal touches kefir?

Using a metal spoon is okay - there is no need to worry. Kefir does not have the same kind of properties as kombucha and using metal to strain or eat your kefir is fine.

Does metal hurt kefir?

Metal. Metal is generally detrimental to kefir and should not be used as a culturing vessel or for any item that will have contact with the kefir grains. The only exception is stainless steel. While we do not recommend using it, some people do have success doing so.

How do you know if kefir is contaminated?

A. Kefir will often smell like fresh yeast. If your kefir smells like spoiled yeast (rotten), that can be a sign of either contamination or that the yeast and bacteria which comprise the kefir grains are out of balance.

Are kefir grains fragile?

Milk kefir grains are not typically fragile, so don't be afraid to push the grains around with some force. You can also keep your grains in a clean, non-bleached muslin bag or unbleached tea bag, and simply pull the bag out when done.



I Drank Raw Milk Kefir For 30 Days | Here's What Happened




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Images: Andrea Piacquadio, Laker, Anete Lusina, Anete Lusina