Making raw milk kefir is incredibly easy. Unlike raw milk yogurt, there is no need to keep a separate starter made from pasteurized milk. There are a few special considerations, however, when using raw milk to make milk kefir.
PERPETUATION OF THE KEFIR CULTURE USING RAW MILK
Making raw milk kefir starts with dehydrated milk kefir grains. Before you begin, it is necessary to first activate the grains using pasteurized milk. You can use raw milk to make milk kefir, however it is best to avoid using raw milk for activating the grains. Once the grains are fully activated, you can slowly transition the milk kefir grains to raw milk.
Once the transition has been made, follow the Instructions for Making Milk Kefir with no further special considerations.
If using a powdered Kefir Starter Culture, there are no special considerations for culturing raw milk.
BACTERIA CONTENT OF RAW MILK
Milk Kefir Starter Kit
We recommend using the freshest milk possible. Raw milk comes with its own set of beneficial bacteria, and if your milk is a few days old or wasn't chilled down quickly enough, that bacterial count can be high. This means that the bacteria in the milk may provide some competition for the milk kefir grains, making it more difficult to culture the milk properly.
Click to download our Milk Kefir Guide, which provides all the information you need to start making your raw milk kefir at home. Kefir is a fermented drink loaded with beneficial probiotics, which can help improve your digestion and overall health.
RISK OF USING RAW MILK FOR CULTURING
Although most people who consume raw milk do not feel that raw milk is inherently dangerous, there are risks to everything, and people have become ill from raw milk.
It is also possible to become ill from pasteurized milk. Conduct your own research, talk to your farmer, and decide if these risks are worth it.
Get Started Making Milk Kefir!
Read through the following links to learn more information about how to make milk kefir, from selecting the right equipment to removing milk kefir grains, and more!
Interested in knowing how to make your raw milk kefir? Download our Milk Kefir Guide and Recipe Book to start making your raw milk kefir at home today!
