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Join a community making water kefir at home. Customer photos show different water kefir cultures and recipes—not all were made with this kit.
OUR CULTURE-TESTING STANDARD.
Testing example: milk kefir grains.
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.
Activate your grains once, then repeat this simple rhythm. The full guide covers amounts, timing and troubleshooting.
Rehydrate the packet in sugar water with molasses and baking soda. Cover and let it sit about two days at 70–85°F; some grains need another day or two.
Add the active grains to fresh sugar water and cover. Culture about 24 hours, or up to 48 if the liquid is still clear.
Strain out the grains, chill your kefir, and move the grains into fresh sugar water for the next batch.
YOUR GRAINS. YOUR FAVORITE FLAVORS.
Once your grains are active, reuse them with regular feeding and care. Try these recipes with finished, grain-free water kefir:
01Fresh lemon and ginger bring a bright, zesty flavor to finished water kefir.
Get the recipe →
02Fresh berries and tart lemon create a vibrant pink, naturally effervescent summer cooler.
Get the recipe →
03Orange and vanilla bring a cream-soda-inspired flavor to your water kefir.
Get the recipe →A little reassurance goes a long way.
If your culture is not working within 60 days of purchase, contact us for troubleshooting and replacement support under our guarantee. Our on-staff fermenters are also here for your ongoing water kefir questions. See our policy for return conditions.
See our guarantee →Water Kefir Starter Kit$42.99
Reviews below include related water kefir products. The featured review above is specifically for the Water Kefir Starter Kit.
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
One packet of dehydrated heirloom water kefir grains, instructions, butter muslin, a stick-on thermometer strip, a mesh strainer and a package of organic cane sugar. Packaging and equipment may differ from the photos.
A quart-size glass jar, water free of chlorine and fluoride, molasses, baking soda and a rubber band. The current guide recommends bottled spring water. You’ll need more sugar for future batches. Optional flavor ingredients and pressure-rated fermentation bottles are not included.
These grains are dehydrated and must be activated. This kit does not contain Endless® Fresh Water Kefir Grains or a limited-reuse kefir powder.
About two days at 70–85°F. Look for plump, amber grains and activity such as bubbles. If not active, repeat the guide’s activation steps; some grains need another 1–3 days. Turbinado sugar and molasses give the grains and liquid an amber tint.
Yes. Once activated, move the strained grains into fresh sugar water and follow the guide for batch after batch. Continued use depends on regular feeding and care.
The grains contain organic sugar and live active cultures. The current listing states Non-GMO and gluten-free, and that they are manufactured in a facility that produces soy and dairy products. Check the package and contact our team with allergy questions. The kit also includes organic cane sugar.
No. Sugar feeds the grains and some remains in the finished drink. The amount depends on ingredients, temperature and culturing time. Homemade water kefir is not guaranteed sugar-free.
Strain out the grains first. Follow a water kefir flavoring recipe. For carbonation, use pressure-rated bottles, monitor pressure and refrigerate when ready. Fizz varies and pressure can build quickly.
Open the water kefir instructions, which covers activation, repeat batches, timing and troubleshooting.
The featured Suzanne A. review is specifically for this Water Kefir Starter Kit. The installed Stamped widget shares reviews across related water kefir products, so its family review count is not a count of kit-only reviews.
Our on-staff fermenters can help with culture questions. Contact us or read the 60-day returns policy.
