About Kefir Grains

With the advent of different fast food, food chains and food preservatives, people have been exposed and been placed at risk to the different health conditions. Over time people have realized its bad effects and have been alarmed. Now a days, many tend to be so health conscious and practicing a healthy lifestyle. Food consumption and diet has been part of the day to day consideration in living out a healthy lifestyle. Wit this healthy lifestyle, kefir grain has slowly come into the picture. In some parts of the world consuming kefir grains have been practiced for many centuries, however in some parts, this substance is new to the ears and the eyes. So what is this substance? What does it contains that makes it beneficial to one’s body and one’s health? To answer all these doubts and queries, read on.

What is a Kefir Grain?

Kefir grain is a grain made from a multiple preparation of different micro organisms, proteins, lipids, healthy yeasts and many more. It also contains friendly bacteria commonly know as probiotics. As you examine a kefir grain, it looks like a cauliflower. It is colored white and has a gelatinous feel and texture. Usually it is consumed in a form of kefir milk. Many people like to drink this beverage because it is said to be very healthy and beneficial to ones health. Up to the present, scientists and researchers are still looking into the health benefits that kefir grains brought to ones body and proving its effects. For over centuries, people have been enjoying kefir grains and believing that this really can help maintain a healthy lifestyle.

History of Kefir Grains

History shows that kefir grains originated in the Mountains of Caucasus. Also, from Russia to Middle East and some parts of Europe, these grains have been said to be consumed by many. In the early days, kefir grains are made into a form of milk and being distributed in the market. Furthermore, this milk is served in the different hospitals to treat different kinds of conditions.

Kefir grains are said to be very beneficial to ones health. As mentioned earlier,Kefir is said to contain bacteria and yeasts of complex structure. This bacteria and yeasts have proteins, sugars and lipids.bStudies also claim that this grain is rich in Vitamins B1, B12, C and biotin. These substances are what makes this kefir grains very substantial for ones body. Researches have shown that there are a lot of different positive effects that can be brought about by eating kefir grains .Some of the benefits are presented below.

Different Health Benefits of Kefir:

1. Helps in aiding absorption and digestion of the different minerals and vitamins.bFurthermore, it helps cure and prevent colon cancer, inflammatory bowel syndrome, constipation and diarrhea. Kefir is easily digested and absorbed in once body, hence its nutritional component can be easily used by our body. Furthermore, the friendly bacteria it contains helps clean and purifies our digestive tract.
2. Beneficial for those people who are experiencing ulcers.
3. Helps in controlling blood sugar and cholesterol in the blood. It also helps in controlling the blood pressure in a normal level.
4. It is n effective treatment for eczema, acne and other skin disorders.
5. Heightens the body’s defenses to the different diseases because it contains a lot of nutritious components.
6. Believed to contain anti aging and anti oxidant properties which can greatly affect and help balance our internal ecosystem resulting to long life and optimum health.
7. For some, it makes them feel relax and stress free after taking some.
8. It also cures various types of respiratory conditions.
9. It is highly recommended to be consumed by pregnant women, babies and elderly people because of it is said to contain high amount of calcium, magnesium and phosphorus. These substances helps these group of people obtain an optimum healthy state and condition.

Types of Kefir:

There are two types of kefir sources available in the market, the kefir grains and kefir starter. Both of which contains the basic components of kefir. The kefir starter is the most convenient form because this is in a powder form. If you wish to consume kefir milk, you will just add this kefir starter to your water and you can have a kefir milk. With kefir grains, you need to incorporate it in a milk and leave it for a few days to culture the milk. Though kefir starter is very convenient, it is still highly recommended to purchase the kefir grains. It is because it contains more nutrients probiotics compared with the starter. Furthermore, you will only need to purchase once because this kefir grains tends to grow day by day which can be used over and over again, given it is stored properly. With the kefir starter, it can be consumed and you have to buy again and again once it is finished.

Kefir grains can be prepared in multiple recipes. Because of its nutritious effect, there are a lot of recieps being created to incorporate such ingredient. Here are some of the recipes that make use of the kefir grain.

1. Kefir Milk

Kefir milk is the widely used mode in consuming the kefir grains. It is very easy to prepare yet you can avail its full health benefits. Just make sure to follow the steps in preparing and put into mind the different special considerations listed below.

Ingredients:

5 ml kefir grains

1000 ml milk

Materials:

Glass jar with a lid

Another jar (for milk storage)

Plastic strainer

Steps in Making the Kefir Milk:

1. Gather all the needed materials and ingredients.
2. Get a hold of your jar and clean t properly. Wipe it dry with a wash cloth.
3. Place then the kefir grains unto it. Pour then the milk. Just pour the milk up to 2/3 full.
4. Seal it properly with the lead and leave it for around 24-48 hours.
5. After 48 hours, get another jar and a strainer. Strain then the milk unto the new jar. The strained milk is your cultured milk. The pieces left in the strainer is your kefir grain which can be use again if you wish to make some more kefir milk. Just make sure to place the kefir grains with milk in the refrigerator so that it will not stale.

Special Considerations:

Authentic kefir grains will endlessly grow and can be continuously used provided that it is stored properly.

Any type of milk can be used in preparing kefir milk but for a better result, a raw milk is highly recommended.

The kefir grains will culture the milk in the span of 24 to 48 hours which will result to a yoghurt like preparation but with a thinner consistency and texture.

Make sure to use a plastic strainer and not the metal ones. Metal ones tend to have a chemical reaction when used with kefir grains.

2.Chocolate Ice cream:

The advent of this recipe is very controversial due to the need of this recipe to be frozen. Many have said that once kefir grain is frozen, the bacteria and yeast will die. However for some, they don’t believe this. In some parts of the world, they preserve their grains by freezing, this happens when they take a break from culturing. Because of this practice, some don’t believe that making ice cream with kefir grains will not totally kill the bacteria and the yeast. making this chocolate ice cream is very interesting because this ice cream is not a typical ice cream but a probiotic ice cream.

How to Prepare Chocolate Ice cream using Kefir:

Ingredients:

• 480 ml whole coconut milk
• 1-1/2 cups plain Kefir
• 480 whole milk (either goat or cow’s milk)
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 1 whole ripe avocado
• 3 egg yolks
• 30 ml vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup powdered Sucanat

Materials:

Measuring cups and spoons

Spatula

Blender

Small container with cover

Cone or small serving platter

Steps in Making the Ice cream:

1. Gather all the needed materials and ingredients. Measure each ingredient as enumerated above.
2. Get a hold of your blender. Make sure that it is clean and dry.
3. Pour all the mentioned ingredients unto the blender. Blend them all together.
4. Once all the ingredients have been totally blended, remove it and place it in a small container with cover.
5. Place it then in the freezer to freeze. Leave it their for around an hour to harden it.
6. Once it is already hard enough, you may now serve it and place it in a cone. If you don’t have a cone, you may place it in a mug or a small bowl.

Special Considerations:

If you don’t have a coconut milk, you ma use raw grass-fed cream. This will enhance th creaminess of the ice cream.

If your ice cream will be left in the freezer for too long, it will then be very hardened. If this will occur, you may use it to make a chocolate smoothies.

You may also change the flavor of this ice cream by substituting the cocoa with the desired flavor that you want.