Refreshing Homemade Kefir Water: A Powerful Probiotic Beverage

Get ready to embark on a journey of deliciousness and nourishment with our fantastic recipe for homemade kefir water—a beverage that not only tantalizes your taste buds but also packs a powerful punch of probiotics. Each 50ml shot of this refreshing elixir contains approximately 75 billion CFUs (colony-forming units) of beneficial probiotic bacteria, making it an incredible addition to your daily routine.

Ingredients:

• 950ml of water
• 60g  of unrefined cane sugar
• 2 tablespoons of water kefir grains
• 1 dried fig
• ½ lime
• 1 cup of fruit juice (grape, pomegranate, apple, pineapple, etc.)

Equipment:

• ½ gallon mason jar
• Cheesecloth
• Flip-top bottles

Instructions:

Initial Fermentation: .

1. In a medium-sized pot, bring 1 cup of water to a boil over medium-high heat. 

2. Stir in the unrefined cane sugar until it completely dissolves. 

3. Pour the sugar water into a half-gallon mason jar, followed by 3 cups of cold water.

4. Allow the sugar water solution to cool to room temperature.

5. Gently spoon the water kefir grains into the room-temperature sugar water.

6. Drop in the dried fig and the juice from half a lime.

7. Cover the jar loosely with cheesecloth secured by kitchen twine or a rubber band. 

8. Let the mixture culture for a minimum of 24 hours and up to 72 hours.

Straining and Storing: 

1. After the fermentation period, strain the kefir through a nonreactive strainer into a pitcher.

2. Discard the lime and fig, but remember to save the water kefir grains. 

3. Store the reserved kefir grains in sugar water in the fridge for up to 3 months.

Optional Secondary Fermentation: 

1. If desired, you can proceed with the secondary fermentation to enhance the flavour of your kefir water.
2. Pour 1 cup of your favourite fruit juice (grape, pomegranate, apple, pineapple, etc.) into the strained kefir.
3. Transfer the flavoured kefir into flip-top bottles, leaving about ½ inch to 1 inch of space at the top. 
4. Seal the bottles securely and place them on your countertop for an additional 18 to 24 hours. 
5. Remember that warmer temperatures will speed up the fermentation process, while cooler temperatures will slow it down. 
6. After the secondary fermentation, transfer the bottles of water kefir to the refrigerator for 3 days to allow the bubbles to set.

Serving and Enjoying: .

1. When you're ready to indulge in your homemade kefir water, open the bottles carefully over a sink. 
2. Due to the pressure build-up during fermentation, the water kefir may fizz and foam when the seal is released.
3. Pour 50ml of refreshing kefir water into a glass, and savour the effervescence and tangy flavours.
4. Feel free to experiment with different fruit juice combinations to create your own signature kefir water blends.

Nutritional Information

• Calories: Approximately 10 kcal
• Total Carbohydrates: 2.5g
• Sugar: Approximately 1.58g
• Protein: Negligible
• Fat: Negligible
• Fiber: Negligible