Drying Kefir Grains

We drink kefir daily.  Kefir is a drinkable yogurt that is very healthy for you.  The kefir grains are multiplying like crazy.  We can't keep up.  We've given some away, thrown some away, put some in the compost pile and fed some to the chickens.  We wanted to save some kefir grains in the event of some sort of catastrophe where we'd lose our existing grains.

We researched and found that you can dry them and they will keep for up to 18 months in the refrigerator. Here is a pictorial essay on how we did it.  First we gathered our extra grains.  After we separate the kefir from the grains and inoculated our next batch, these are the grains that were left over.

Kefir grains that we'll be drying

Then we got a pot of filtered water boiling.  We want to ensure that we kill any competing bacteria that might contaminate our grains.

Boiling water

We allow this water to cool and then we use the water to rinse the grains.  The picture is a little blurry as we're stirring the grains in the cool, sterilized water.

Rinsing the grains

We put the grains in the strainer and pour the water over them to continue rinsing them.

Rinsing again.

In the meantime, we iron a cotton cloth to sterilize the cloth for the same reason - killing any competing bacteria.

Ironing the cloth

Then we dump the rinsed grains on the cloth in order to help absorb any excess water.

Then we put the grains on a tray and inserted them into our warmer on the proof setting.  It is critical that the grains don't get hotter than 85 degrees F.  You can also see that we've got 3 quarts of kefir that are fermenting in the warmer.  Normally the kefir ferments on the counter at room temperature, but since it is winter and a little cool in the house, we 'assist' the fermenting process.

Kefir grains drying while kefir (liquid) is fermenting

After 2 or three days, the kefir grains were dry.  You can see that they are brittle, opaque, and yellow.  They are done!

Dried kefir grains

We put them in a jar with a lid and put them in the refrigerator.  They'll last for 6 months like this, but if you add dried milk, they will last for 18 months.

Ready to go into the fridge

Now we have back-up.