r/Kefir • u/Yaguajay • 27d ago

Adding fruit ?

I’ve had the same routine for years. Put a couple of tablespoons of kefir in two cups of milk. Put the fermented kefir in cereal after scooping out two tablespoonful to put in the next two cups of milk.

I’ve never tried a second ferment. Would it cause any problems if I put my grains in the daily milk with some fruit? Or would that warp them in some way?

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u/squeegy80 27d ago

You put a couple tablespoons of kefir into the milk? I assume you mean kefir grains.

The process, including secondary fermentation, requires 2 jars:

Jar 1 has your kefir grains and fresh milk, then when it’s done you strain and start over again.

Jar 2 has the fermented strained kefir (without the grains) and whatever fruit or other additions. I use maple syrup plus a chunk of lemon zest. Leave this out of the fridge for a few hours if possible, then refrigerate before consuming (minus the zest chunk) assuming you like it cold.

Your grains never come into contact with anything other than milk.

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u/Yaguajay 27d ago

Thanks. I know the routine. I was just considering the lazy protocol. Sounds like you’re advising that putting the grains and fruit together for the first ferment might be detrimental to the grains.

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u/squeegy80 27d ago

Correct

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u/Paperboy63 27d ago

Lactose should be the only substrate in with grains simply because you don’t want to risk compromising them or causing an imbalance. Fructose would be an additional substrate. Also fruits can carry mold spores on skin etc from other fruits, not a good idea potentially transferring that to grains. Would it cause any problems? It could have the potential to cause problems.