Kefir making as alternative to yoghurt making.

Caterina

I used to have kefir grains, a kind OSer gave me some when we had our Blackpool meet, it must be more than a couple of years ago. Unfortunately after some use I did not manage to keep them going and they ended up in my compost (with great sadness).

Now I can really make use of some more (and ensure that I keep them going!) so I have put a notice on my local freecycle. I have also seen some advertised in gumtree.com, one spoonful for £5, but will wait first to see if anyone can offer me some.

Caterina

justpaper

Caterina wrote: »

I used to have kefir grains, a kind OSer gave me some when we had our Blackpool meet, it must be more than a couple of years ago. Unfortunately after some use I did not manage to keep them going and they ended up in my compost (with great sadness).

Now I can really make use of some more (and ensure that I keep them going!) so I have put a notice on my local freecycle. I have also seen some advertised in gumtree.com, one spoonful for £5, but will wait first to see if anyone can offer me some.

Caterina

take a look here http://www.torontoadvisors.com/Kefir/kefir-list.php

as posted by jenny a few pages back, scroll down . there is a section on UK, few people in london offering kefir ,. all for free or postage prices

or http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Fermented-foods-UK
that group

Caterina

Thank you, someone else kindly sent me more kefir and now I have two small batches on the go, one in dairy (to use in baking for the rest of the family - and keep it growing - as don't eat dairy) and one in soya milk, for my own consumption. I am absolutely loving it!

I have also joined the fermented foods group but haven't had a lot of time to look at other things in detail, although I am also making my own sourdough bread since someone gave me a starter (tastes infinitely better than shop-bought, too!).

Next step, I want to learn to make my own fermented pickles, naturally, without adding vinegar.

larmy16

Caterina I dare not even try sourdough bread lest I get a liking for it. Much as I love old style and reading about baking, pies, rolls and all manner of delicious cheap filling pastry, I cannot take part. The minute I start to eat this kind of stuff I become a weeble (remember them?).

I love kefir though and have on a couple of occasions made some scones with it which were delicious, however I seemed to have gained about half a stone by the next day!

Caterina

Larmy, you can try and make kefir soda scones using wholemeal spelt flour, it might not affect you as much as the ones made with wheat. Hope this helps!

Slinky_Malinky

Hells bells, this thread has just reminded me that I put my kefir in some milk at the back of my fridge before I went into hospital in September! I am afraid to take the lid off and see what whiskers it has grown.

Well, just had a look and amazing it is not mouldy at all. Should I soak it but throw away the milk for a few days or is it a lost cause and should I bin it for hygiene sake?

shaz_mum_of__2

Just giving this a bump

My kefir arrived on friday and has begun to work got a distict seperation this morning am using the whey in the bread maker as we speak

will update later

Shaz

shaz_mum_of__2

Bread looks great lovely and very well risen , best looking bm loaf i have made

23rdspiral

after seeing this and doing a little research i asked on that recomended forum from the person nearest me, but they have stopped, just not removed their name. shame. i'd gotten all hopeful.

23rdspiral

sorry, Bump! has anyone any current recomendations of where i could get some? I'm in east midlands. Thanks.