Dehydrated Water Kefir Grains

#Start fermenting as soon as you received your grains. It takes a few batches for grains to acclimatise to your environment and consistency is the key to success. 

1. In a glass jar or Kefir Maker, add water. Dissolve the sugar, molasses and bicarb soda in water 
2. When ingredients are dissolved, add the reconstituted water kefir grains and slice of lemon
3. Leave lid of Kefir Maker slightly open.  

4. Shake bottle regularly ( a good way to remember if every time you walk pass)

5. Leave on the counter or cupboard (preferably at 20 to 24 degrees celsius) for 48 hours (in hot weather, it ferments faster) - taste as you go to get a feel for what 1 day water kefir and 2 days water kefir tastes like.  The longer you leave it, the more sugar ferments out and the more sour the kefir, so if you are limiting carbs, we recommend a minimum of 48 hours. Do not leave longer than 4 days as this can starve grains.
6. After 48 hours (depending on your taste), pour prepared water kefir into a resealable container through the kefir maker strainer, leaving water kefir grains in kefir maker.
7. Restart the process from step 1.
8. To make the water kefir carbonated (also known as secondary ferment), take the 750ml of water kefir that you have just strained and add 75ml of fruit juice of your choice (such as grape, apple, pomegranate, orange, pineapple etc), add any herbs and spices eg. ginger, turmeric etc.   Once you've added the juice and other ingredients,  bottle and cap in a second ferment bottle . Leave on the counter for an additional 2 to 7 days until it is fizzy as you like it.  Caution: Burp jar regularly during this stage to release pressure. Refrigerate and consume as required.

Caution: Water kefir may become very fizzy so be careful when opening lid after fermentation. Due to the amount of pressure generated there is a risk that cheap bottles can explode. Please use a good quality glass bottle. 


Dosage
We recommend consuming one cup per day for health benefits

Storage 

When you are not fermenting, please keep grains refrigerated (for up to two week) in fridge. Please note that after cold storage, the water kefir grains will take a few batches before returning to original potency. Ideally you should be fermenting as often as possible to keep grains fully active and thriving. 

The decanted water kefir is best consumed within two weeks.  

For long term storage we recommend air drying or dehydrating in a dehydrator on the lowest setting preferably less than 40 degrees celcius. Do not freeze water kefir grains. Studies have shown that freezing does damage to water kefir grains.

All fermented foods may contain trace amounts of alcohol and histamine.  If fermented foods are being prepared for children, breastfeeding mothers, or pregnant women please seek medical advice from a trained medical practitioner before consuming these products.