For hot days in the summer and cold days in the winter we've come to rely on
this trusty cooler to stabilize our kefir. According to reviews this cooler
outperforms other comparable coolers (and we've been happy with it too). We
also like the size and shape: it holds about 4 quart jars and fits perfect in the
backseat floor area of a car when you use it for 'real' cooler purposes.
this trusty cooler to stabilize our kefir. According to reviews this cooler
outperforms other comparable coolers (and we've been happy with it too). We
also like the size and shape: it holds about 4 quart jars and fits perfect in the
backseat floor area of a car when you use it for 'real' cooler purposes.
Recommendations: Water Kefir
The best and cutest popsicle molds (bpa free). Everyone seems to adore
these because of their perfect size, cute shapes and colors and of course the
fact that you can make tasty, fun treats at home over and over with these.
Homemade frozen yogurt, kefir and kombucha popsicles taste SO much better
than regular popsicles of course too! :) Or just freeze some fruit juice in these
molds for a quick cheap summer treat!
these because of their perfect size, cute shapes and colors and of course the
fact that you can make tasty, fun treats at home over and over with these.
Homemade frozen yogurt, kefir and kombucha popsicles taste SO much better
than regular popsicles of course too! :) Or just freeze some fruit juice in these
molds for a quick cheap summer treat!
If you are wanting to test the Ph of your kefir this brand offers a good, reliable
and economical bottle which comes with 90 strips.
and economical bottle which comes with 90 strips.
This brand of organic flavoring syrups is a delicious easy way to add flavor to
your water kefir, (and of course milk kefir, yogurt, kombucha and popsicles
too). Of course fresh fruit and ingredients (or juices) are optimal but for difficult
to recreate, fun flavors try the Hazelnut, Huckleberry, Pomegranate and Irish
Creme.
your water kefir, (and of course milk kefir, yogurt, kombucha and popsicles
too). Of course fresh fruit and ingredients (or juices) are optimal but for difficult
to recreate, fun flavors try the Hazelnut, Huckleberry, Pomegranate and Irish
Creme.
Flexible ice packs - you can cut to fit whatever you need to stick them in or
around. This is great for all kinds of purposes including wrapping around kefir
jars to cool them in the summer.
around. This is great for all kinds of purposes including wrapping around kefir
jars to cool them in the summer.
We like this measuring cup because you can push sticky stuff out of it without
touching it with anything else (great for cultures where contamination is an
sourdough starter.
touching it with anything else (great for cultures where contamination is an
sourdough starter.
Ingredients and Flavoring
A bowl with a pouring spout and nice grip on the handle and bottom - really
handy to have for collecting your strained kefir under the strainer and then
being able to pour it into your bottling jars. This one holds 8 cups and even
has measuring notches inside.
handy to have for collecting your strained kefir under the strainer and then
being able to pour it into your bottling jars. This one holds 8 cups and even
has measuring notches inside.
Supplies and Equipment
Literature
One of THE best maple syrups out there - and we're talking Vermont fresh-
from-the-tree quality. An excellent natural sweetener for water kefir (after
bottling it).
from-the-tree quality. An excellent natural sweetener for water kefir (after
bottling it).
Raw honey is so good as a natural sweetener mixed with fresh bottled water
kefir and has substantial health benefits both for your skin and for
consumption. Although we recommend finding local raw honey (which also
can help improve seasonal allergies), this is an excellent and highly
recommended choice of raw honey.
kefir and has substantial health benefits both for your skin and for
consumption. Although we recommend finding local raw honey (which also
can help improve seasonal allergies), this is an excellent and highly
recommended choice of raw honey.
This insulated bottle sleeve is great in the winter or summer to help regulate
the temperature of your fermentations such as milk / water kefir or kombucha.
Comfortably holds a quart jar.
the temperature of your fermentations such as milk / water kefir or kombucha.
Comfortably holds a quart jar.
Swing top / flip cap bottles are great for building carbonation in your water
kefir or kombucha. This comes in a pack of 12 and each holds 16 oz (2 cups) -
just right for bottling and flavoring!
kefir or kombucha. This comes in a pack of 12 and each holds 16 oz (2 cups) -
just right for bottling and flavoring!
There are so many jars to choose from out there, but we recommend
thick-walled glass jars which offer more protection against explosion when
storing and bottling your ferments. Brands that make superb jars include Ball,
Kerr, Bormioli Rocco and Anchor Hocking. This pack is a good size to start out
with if you can't find it at your local store. We have jars available in our supplies
section of our store, too.
thick-walled glass jars which offer more protection against explosion when
storing and bottling your ferments. Brands that make superb jars include Ball,
Kerr, Bormioli Rocco and Anchor Hocking. This pack is a good size to start out
with if you can't find it at your local store. We have jars available in our supplies
section of our store, too.
Excellent stainless steel strainer (culture friendly material). We own one
ourselves - the sturdy strong handle, fine mesh size and multiple size choices
of this strainer makes this ideal for straining kefir and kombucha. Also rests
nicely atop most standard bowls due to the hanging knob opposite the handle.
ourselves - the sturdy strong handle, fine mesh size and multiple size choices
of this strainer makes this ideal for straining kefir and kombucha. Also rests
nicely atop most standard bowls due to the hanging knob opposite the handle.
Bamboo strainers are a good alternative if you want to avoid all plastic and
metal materials when straining your ferments - may or may not work well with
milk kefir.
metal materials when straining your ferments - may or may not work well with
milk kefir.
We don't recommend plastic strainers usually because virtually ALL plastic
strainers' holes are too large. This is best for kombucha or water kefir (if your
grains are consistently large - though yeast strings or kefir grains may pass
through), has a sturdy handle and is also collapsible. We do have a special
nylon/plastic strainer in our supplies section of our store which works perfect
for all of our cultures and has a finer mesh.
strainers' holes are too large. This is best for kombucha or water kefir (if your
grains are consistently large - though yeast strings or kefir grains may pass
through), has a sturdy handle and is also collapsible. We do have a special
nylon/plastic strainer in our supplies section of our store which works perfect
for all of our cultures and has a finer mesh.
This great little lid is quite functional - it fits most wide mouth mason, Kerr and
Ball canning jars and is perfect to convert your jar into a strainer or sprouter!
Just tip jar and let the kefir strain out, leaving the grains behind or sprout
wheat or other grains to eat and use in making more digestible breads at
home. Made of culture-friendly food-grade plastic.
Ball canning jars and is perfect to convert your jar into a strainer or sprouter!
Just tip jar and let the kefir strain out, leaving the grains behind or sprout
wheat or other grains to eat and use in making more digestible breads at
home. Made of culture-friendly food-grade plastic.
We always have some of this stuff on hand at our home. Cheesecloth (butter
muslin) always comes in handy with straining, and can double as a
breathable lid for your cultures. This is the unbleached, natural good stuff. We
love this stuff because you can wash it and re-use it - very cost friendly and
eco-friendly. We offer muslin drawstring bags in our supplies section of our
store, too, which is perfect for holding in your dried fruit while fermenting. Also
a perfect filter for jelly, cheese making and storage, making Greek yogurt (thick
yogurt) and even meat roasting, basting, stuffing and poaching.
muslin) always comes in handy with straining, and can double as a
breathable lid for your cultures. This is the unbleached, natural good stuff. We
love this stuff because you can wash it and re-use it - very cost friendly and
eco-friendly. We offer muslin drawstring bags in our supplies section of our
store, too, which is perfect for holding in your dried fruit while fermenting. Also
a perfect filter for jelly, cheese making and storage, making Greek yogurt (thick
yogurt) and even meat roasting, basting, stuffing and poaching.
With some of this unbleached natural twine you can make your own bags out
of muslin to hang and strain kefir to make cheese.
of muslin to hang and strain kefir to make cheese.
Fascinating and fun book full of helpful and truly unique fermenting advice.
Discusses kefir and many other traditional and natural cultures. It focuses on the
flavor, nutrition, and craft of live-culture foods. There aren't a whole lot of books
out there on this topic - we ended up owning this we liked it so much.
Discusses kefir and many other traditional and natural cultures. It focuses on the
flavor, nutrition, and craft of live-culture foods. There aren't a whole lot of books
out there on this topic - we ended up owning this we liked it so much.
Water Kefir LOVES this stuff. Organic whole cane sugar (rapadura), but the
water kefir seems to respond best to this one in particular. They actually
compost their sugar cane instead of heating it (like most other companies),
which preserves more of the nutritional value of the sugar, and is probably the
reason the kefir grains prefer this most!
water kefir seems to respond best to this one in particular. They actually
compost their sugar cane instead of heating it (like most other companies),
which preserves more of the nutritional value of the sugar, and is probably the
reason the kefir grains prefer this most!
In the winter, water kefir seems to enjoy blackstrap molasses more (or you
may enjoy the molasses flavor more). In either case, this is a great choice -
organic blackstrap is the way to go.
may enjoy the molasses flavor more). In either case, this is a great choice -
organic blackstrap is the way to go.
If you have soft water or are having trouble kefiring, adding baking soda and/or
calcium carbonate can help supplement your water kefir grains diet to help
them function and kefir properly. This one is priced well and in powder form -
easy to scoop the amount you want out.
calcium carbonate can help supplement your water kefir grains diet to help
them function and kefir properly. This one is priced well and in powder form -
easy to scoop the amount you want out.
Organic Turkish apricots are one of our water kefir's favorite fruit. Barry Farm
offers many, many other high quality and usually organic dried fruits to try in
your kefir or kombucha as well at very good prices. You can purchase small or
bulk from them.
offers many, many other high quality and usually organic dried fruits to try in
your kefir or kombucha as well at very good prices. You can purchase small or
bulk from them.
Knudsen Family Just Juice is our favorite line of juice because it is just that...
just the juice of the fruit on the label! Why so few companies do this is beyond
us, but this is healthy stuff and excellent for flavoring your bottled kefir or
kombucha!
just the juice of the fruit on the label! Why so few companies do this is beyond
us, but this is healthy stuff and excellent for flavoring your bottled kefir or
kombucha!
This is one of the best brands of flavor extracts and amazingly its cheaper
than non-organic store brands when you get it bulk online. For example this
sustainable, bio-dynamic agriculture. They have many other flavored extracts
as well.
than non-organic store brands when you get it bulk online. For example this
sustainable, bio-dynamic agriculture. They have many other flavored extracts
as well.
This little guy is called a piloncillo - a popular unrefined pure cane sugar that
is perfect for feeding to your water kefir (with possible origins in Mexico - also
where piloncillos originated). Each cone is the equivalent of 3/4 cup brown
sugar - perfect to plop in a ferment of 3 quarts worth. We've noticed in our tests
that unless it is whole cane sugar, any other form of brown sugar behaves
about the same, so sucanat, turbinado or simple brown sugar are equally
good (brown sugar being the most affordable).
is perfect for feeding to your water kefir (with possible origins in Mexico - also
where piloncillos originated). Each cone is the equivalent of 3/4 cup brown
sugar - perfect to plop in a ferment of 3 quarts worth. We've noticed in our tests
that unless it is whole cane sugar, any other form of brown sugar behaves
about the same, so sucanat, turbinado or simple brown sugar are equally
good (brown sugar being the most affordable).
We tentatively recommend this coconut water. Compared to the other brands
most agree it has the truest fresh young coconut flavor and is handy to use to
make coconut kefir if you cannot purchase young coconuts. However, the
background of this company is vague, and some of the times we tested this
we turned up with rancid coconut kefir. We highly recommend just buying the
real thing if you can.
most agree it has the truest fresh young coconut flavor and is handy to use to
make coconut kefir if you cannot purchase young coconuts. However, the
background of this company is vague, and some of the times we tested this
we turned up with rancid coconut kefir. We highly recommend just buying the
real thing if you can.
We've found this to be the most reliable brand for fresh, unsweetened organic
coconut shreds (water kefir likes munching on this, and it makes the flavor
delicious). We've noticed many other brands and even organic bulk bins in
stores tend to have rancid/old coconut shreds that do not do well with the
ferments.
coconut shreds (water kefir likes munching on this, and it makes the flavor
delicious). We've noticed many other brands and even organic bulk bins in
stores tend to have rancid/old coconut shreds that do not do well with the
ferments.
Juice concentrate is better for flavoring than regular juice since you can use a
smaller amount, and not risk diluting your beverage too much. Cranberry juice
concentrate is delicious and has many health benefits (and high vitamin C),
this one is our favorite because no funny stuff is added. They also make
pomegranate, blueberry and cherry.
smaller amount, and not risk diluting your beverage too much. Cranberry juice
concentrate is delicious and has many health benefits (and high vitamin C),
this one is our favorite because no funny stuff is added. They also make
pomegranate, blueberry and cherry.
An airlock is a great cheap little necessity if you are thinking of fermenting
beer, wine, or lacto fermented veggies such as sauerkraut or pickles! We
make our own sauerkraut with this.
This also helps in bottling kombucha, gingerbeer, and water kefir to build
carbonation and prevent explosion of jars.
beer, wine, or lacto fermented veggies such as sauerkraut or pickles! We
make our own sauerkraut with this.
This also helps in bottling kombucha, gingerbeer, and water kefir to build
carbonation and prevent explosion of jars.
Reusable straws - great to have around for water kefir and kombucha. Always
come in handy, and never have to buy straws again - made of reusable,
durable polycarbonate (dishwasher safe).
come in handy, and never have to buy straws again - made of reusable,
durable polycarbonate (dishwasher safe).
This is a popular little hydrometer that does the job of measuring
sugar/alcohol content of your brewing (great for water kefir, kombucha,
gingerbeer plant, wine or beer).
sugar/alcohol content of your brewing (great for water kefir, kombucha,
gingerbeer plant, wine or beer).
A refractometer is more accurate but much more costly than a hydrometer.
This is a nice one if you are wanting to really get into the science behind the
brewing of cultures.
This is a nice one if you are wanting to really get into the science behind the
brewing of cultures.
When in doubt, just peel it, but otherwise Veggie Wash is a nice way to
remove some of the pesticides, waxes, chemicals and soil (which is
especially important if you're dropping a lemon into your kombucha or water
kefir, for example).
remove some of the pesticides, waxes, chemicals and soil (which is
especially important if you're dropping a lemon into your kombucha or water
kefir, for example).
For making your own juice (veggie or fruit) this juicer is really the way to go -
one of the best juicers for serious juicing without breaking the bank. For
flavoring (and secondary fermenting) with your bottled kefir this device can
really create some interesting and incredibly healthy and fresh juices. Ideal for
fresh grape juice for kefir d'uva and ginger juice for Ginger Beer Plants or
ginger flavored water kefir (most water kefir grains loves ginger).
one of the best juicers for serious juicing without breaking the bank. For
flavoring (and secondary fermenting) with your bottled kefir this device can
really create some interesting and incredibly healthy and fresh juices. Ideal for
fresh grape juice for kefir d'uva and ginger juice for Ginger Beer Plants or
ginger flavored water kefir (most water kefir grains loves ginger).
This book's focus is on the Mayan Cuisine and is one of the few
books you can find for discovering how to make Tepache (an old and
delicious traditional fermented drink recipe made with water kefir,
pineapple and cinnamon).
books you can find for discovering how to make Tepache (an old and
delicious traditional fermented drink recipe made with water kefir,
pineapple and cinnamon).
This dehydrator stills remains one of the best on the market and is perfectly
suited for drying (and not worrying about preservatives/sulfites) any kind of fruit
or veggie you pick up at your store or farmers market (or garden!). Dried fruits
and veggies without sulfites are perfect for added nutrients and flavor in your
water kefir and kombucha ferments.
suited for drying (and not worrying about preservatives/sulfites) any kind of fruit
or veggie you pick up at your store or farmers market (or garden!). Dried fruits
and veggies without sulfites are perfect for added nutrients and flavor in your
water kefir and kombucha ferments.
| *Icons will take you to culture-specific recommendations, OR view the full recommendations list here. *(Click images below to view more detail about each item) |
Copyright © 2010 Yemoos Nourishing Cultures. All rights reserved.
These are all products we recommended from our own research and own personal use.
- Each item is what we've found to be the 'crème de la crème' in its category.
- All the products in some way aid in fermenting, are sustainable, or are eco-friendly (and in
many cases all three). - We live on a tight budget so you'll find most of our recommendations are reasonably priced
as well. - Have something you think we should recommend? Let us know in our 'Suggestions and
Feedback Box'!
