Customer Reviews

Yogourmet Freeze Dried Kefir Starter, 1 oz. box (Pack of 2)

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Even if you happen to be a person who is lactose intolerant, as I am, you can use ordinary milk for kefir, and it is unlikely that you will experience bloating and other symptoms that you would usually get after drinking a glass of ordinary milk.

The kefir starter makes it a cinch to prepare a batch of kefir if you simply follow the directions that are on the box. They recommend that you use reduced-fat (two percent) milk for the best tasting kefir. All you have to do is heat a quart of milk to 180 degrees F, then remove the pan from the burner and let the milk cool to 73-77 degrees F before dissolving the kefir starter in the cooled milk.

The "secret" to producing a batch of excellent kefir is in following the exact instructions for heating to the proper degree and cooling to the proper degree. Deviations will ruin a batch and make it runny rather than "custardy." Try to purchase a thermometer that is accurate and easy to read.

I use quart-size canning jars for kefir, and when the milk and starter have been mixed together thoroughly, I pour the mixture into the jar which I then cover with its own lid and place on an upper shelf in a cupboard for 24 hours. No special heating equipment is required. Do not shake the jar or disturb it during those 24 hours. That's why I place mine on an upper shelf. After 24 hours the jar is placed in the refrigerator for about eight hours to stop the process.

I have learned another trick for preparing kefir easily to avoid scorching the milk while it's heating: I pour the quart of milk into my largest Vision Ware sauce pan and heat it in the microwave oven on high for three minutes. Then I stir it thoroughly with a small wooden spoon and heat it for an additional three minutes. Only then do I place the sauce pan on the burner of my electric stove which is already being pre-heated to a little below medium heat. You now have to really keep your eye on the thermometer because the pre-heating means that you are already nearly at the prescribed temp of 180 degrees F.

The instructions for preparing the kefir are on the back of the box, but the tricks and secrets I've listed here are based on my experience.

To serve the kefir I like mine mixed in the blender with fruit--usually a couple of organic bananas--and I also add a little pure vanilla extract and honey to taste. A quart of kefir usually lasts me three or four days.

A single box of ¥ogourmet freeze-dried kefir starter has six packets of starter--enough to make six quarts. As you probably know, kefir is an excellent source of friendly bacteria. Enjoy and stay healthy.

This stuff works, but the resulting Kefir just does not taste the same as real Kefir that is made from grains. When you make a jar of Kefir with this stuff, you can set aside a little (I would say about 1oz for every 10oz you make) to make a new batch without having to use another starter packet. But if you ever try real Kefir, this stuff from Yogourmet tastes inferior to it. Real Kefir is made from a grain that looks like a tiny cauliflower (which grows in size as you keep making new batches). Luckily I was able to obtain a real grain from my co-worker and the Kefir that results from it tastes way superior (see the picture I uploaded to the listing).

Well, I walked you guys thru my kefir "journey" in the comments section.
My kefir came out PURRRRFECT!
And it is YUMMY!
Someone posted theirs tasted like buttermilk.
Mine does too. But I love buttermilk, so no problem.
I got creative, and added fresh strawberries and sugar in a blender and made a smoothie.
DEE-LICIOUS!!!
***************************************
1,000 stars for Yogourmet Kefir.
And ... I'm the worst cook in the world.
And ... I did not use a thermometer.
My kefir came out great!
Love it!

I have used this product but I do not think it is true Kefir. Kefir is propagated by Kefir grains, a mix of live bacteria and yeast that form grains. I found Kefir grains and have been using them lately. I like the grains much better.

I've used this to culture milk for years with no complaints. Recently, I have had great success in culturing non-dairy foods such as soymilk (even unsweetened) and kitchari (a soup made with mung beans and rice). Even fresh fruits and cooked root vegetables have also been a pleasant surprise. I use the same 24 hour incubation as with milk. For the produce add enough water or juice to cover. Give it a try!

I have been buying Lifeway kefir in the grocery store, and that is just fine, but I just tried making my own yogurt, so I wondered if you could do that with kefir, and I found this starter. It had very good reviews, so I decided to try it, and it was very easy to make, and is very, very good - nice and creamy. I was trying to decide how I wanted to flavor it, but the taste of it kind of grew on me, so I will probably mostly drink it plain! I have done a little more research on kefir, and it seems to offer a lot of health benefits, so I plan to make it a habit.

I had a desire to try some kefir. It is very healthy and a great help to the digestive process, just as yogurt is. I've used the yogourmet yogurt starter and find it very useful, easy to use with a great resulting food, so I decided to try their kefir starter as well. My first batch turned out beautifully and it is so healthy for you. I take a sample out of it before we eat any and put the sample in the freezer for the next batch and this way my box of starter packets will last me a good while. I only use a new one if for some reason the sample starts to develop an off flavor, which I rarely have had happen. I do the same with my yogurt that I make. Great product and wonderful, healthy food item!

I have used this excellent kefir starter for decades with delicious, consistent results each time! No yogurt maker needed. Much, much better than store bought. Easy to make; we can't live happy (and healthy) without it!!! Many people like this better than yogurt!

True kefir grains are used again and again....these lack some key ingredients that
prevent a substrait forming, so what you are getting is a expensive one time use
product. Really no point in buying a single use product if you want to culture kefir
and the missing bacteria/yeasts are what makes kefir kefir. Not a fan of their yogurt starter either,
sorta a general bummer all around.

I've tried lots of other starters for Kefir and usually ended up buy LifeWay Kefir which is ok, but still thick and so far from tasting like real Kefir back in Russia. I was excited to discover this brand! It makes such a delicious Kefir in a very easy way. Good and healthy product to buy!