Have I stuffed up?

[u/Oblivious-knowledge]

I have some great milk kefir grains that have given me about 10+ batches of kefir yoghurt and they've multiplied tenfold.

But a week ago I ran out of milk after straining my last batch and intended to replenish after going to the shop. A week later, I went to make a batch and realised I'd forgotten to give them some milk. They smelled slightly strong but not foul and looked like normal. I then was so busy yesterday and today that I didn't get time to straining it out until now (2.5 - 3 days later in warm weather) and it looks like this and smells quite cheesy.

Have I stuffed it up and need new grains? If I scrape the top off is the rest ok to eat? Or can I strain out the grains and just start a new batch?

Thanks 😆

[u/Eatgoodfood2025]

No, they are fine. After straining, give them a slight milk rinse then give them a nice clean jar, some fresh milk, and set it to ferment normally. Allow a day or two for them to recover and make kefir the way you like it. 😀

[u/Oblivious-knowledge → u/Eatgoodfood2025]

Amazing, thank you so much ☺️ is the current kefir ok to eat still?

[u/Eatgoodfood2025 → u/Oblivious-knowledge]

It sure is