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Not what you expected? We offer 60-day, no-hassle returns. See our returns policy.
Never made water kefir? Tried and gave up? You're not starting alone. Heirloom grains. Clear steps. A support team one message away. Pour your first naturally bubbly glass.
EVERY CULTURE WE MAKE IS FOOD-SAFETY TESTED.
A MOM'S REASON. OUR STANDARD SINCE 2002.
Cultures for Health was founded in 2002 by a single mom who wanted to feed her children the best food she could.
That care still shapes what we make. Food-safety testing is a meaningful investment, and one we keep making for the families who bring our cultures home.
Start something good in your kitchen →
From packet to proud-of-it.
First, rehydrate your grains using the included activation guide. Once active, here's your quick routine.
Dissolve cane sugar in water, let cool, and add your active water kefir grains in a quart jar. Cover with a breathable cloth. The sugar feeds the culture; some sugar remains in the finished drink.
Leave the jar on your counter at room temperature. The grains metabolize the sugar, creating a crisp, probiotic-rich fermented drink.
Strain out the grains to start your next batch. For optional fizz, use pressure-rated fermentation bottles and follow the guide for flavoring, timing and pressure checks. Refrigerate when ready.
ONE POUCH. ENDLESS FIZZ.
Once your heirloom grains are active, they make an ongoing supply of probiotic soda. Try these three water kefir recipes:
01The ultimate probiotic ginger beer: zesty fresh lemon and spicy ginger with natural carbonation.
Get the recipe →
02Fresh berries and tart lemon create a vibrant pink, naturally effervescent summer cooler.
Get the recipe →
03A probiotic creamsicle in a glass: fresh orange zest with a hint of warm vanilla bean.
Get the recipe →A little reassurance goes a long way.
Get started with 60-day, no-hassle returns. And whenever you have a water kefir question, our on-staff fermenters are here to help. Next week, next month, or next year.
See our guarantee →Water Kefir Grains$20.99
United StatesSo much better than dehydrated grains! They are healthy and multiplying.
United StatesI had posted 2 comments earlier about a strange taste. Then there were gummy strings floating in the water. I sterilized a new mason jar and transferred the grains to the new jar. After about a week, the grains are doing well, and the taste is normal. The weather has been variable, very hot one day and cold the next but that has not affected the brewing. My old grains started up again, so now I have two jars of kefir water brewing. and they are used up quickly.
It sounds like you've been through quite the kefir journey, Susan! We’re so glad to hear that your grains are thriving in their new jar and that the taste has returned to normal. Variable weather can sometimes affect the brewing, but it's great to know it hasn’t been an issue for you. It’s fantastic that you’ve got two jars of kefir water going strong now. Keep up the great work, and if you need any more tips, we’re here for you!
United StatesI’ve only just made my first activation, so it’s too early to tell whether or not they’ll grow. I do prefer it this instead of the dry grains I previously bought from you.
United StatesThe new batch I ordered came with a strange smell, was gummy, and the entire jar was full. It still has a vinegar taste and smell. I will give it several more weeks. I am using organic cane sugar. I have been drinking it with no ill effects. Have you changed the water kefir grains? What do you mean by a break. I believe you are referring to the new grains I ordered. Thanks for your help.
Thank you for reaching out to us, Susan! We're sorry to hear about the issues you're experiencing with your new batch of water kefir grains. We haven't made any changes to our grains, but it's possible that a break-in period might be necessary. By "break," we mean allowing the grains time to adjust and start working optimally. The strange smell and gumminess could be due to a temporary imbalance. Ensure you're using Spring bottled water and maintaining the right sugar-to-water ratio. It's great that you're not experiencing any ill effects, but if the problem persists after a few more weeks, please let us know. We're here to help!
United StatesThis is my second order of Endless Water Grains. After I year of wonderful kefir Wate, I went on vacation, put it in the fridge and forgot it. When I started it again the grains didn't grow very well, but they were eating the sugar. So, I decided to get a new batch. Everything was going well after a few days with the new batch, but the taste was different, and I didn't like it. I hope after a few weeks it will change. It was sent when the weather was hot and there were many more grains in the jar than usual. I have been making Endless Kefir Milk successfully for several months. I also use many of their cheese products successfully. The buttermilk is easy to make and is fantastic. Now I will save money on buttermilk. I used in baking said bread. This company is great.
Thank you for sharing your experience with our Endless Water Kefir Grains, Susan! We're glad to hear you've had a year of wonderful kefir and that you've enjoyed our other products like Milk Kefir and cheese cultures. It sounds like you've become quite the fermentation expert! Sometimes, water kefir grains can take a little time to adjust after a break, especially if the temperature changes during shipping. We're hopeful that the taste will improve as the grains adapt to their new environment. If you have any concerns or need further assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out. We're here to help!
Before you start.
Water kefir grains require sugar (like plain cane sugar) as their food source to ferment. The grains use sugar during fermentation, but some remains. The amount depends on the recipe, temperature and culturing time; homemade water kefir is not guaranteed sugar-free.
Water kefir is made with sugar water rather than milk. The grains contain organic sugar and live active cultures. They are manufactured in a facility that also produces products containing soy and dairy; consult the package and your clinician if you have an allergy.
No. These are traditional heirloom water kefir grains. With basic care and regular feedings, they will continue culturing fresh batches indefinitely and will even multiply over time.
Use non-chlorinated spring water or mineral-rich well water (avoid distilled or reverse-osmosis water without minerals). Plain organic cane sugar or white granulated sugar works best for active, healthy grains.
After the first ferment, remove the grains. An optional second ferment with fruit juice can add fizz. Use bottles designed for fermentation pressure, follow the guide for timing and pressure checks, and refrigerate when ready. Carbonation varies; do not assume any swing-top bottle is suitable.
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