VANILLA CREAM WATER KIFER SODA

Hi everyone, here is a quick video on how I made a delicious, Vanilla Cream Water Kifer Soda.  Frothy, with carbonation.  This was done in 8 hours.  So easy anyone can make this.  Best of all...it's a healthy LIVE PROBIOTIC CARBONATED SODA.  Hope you enjoy this one:))

All I started with was

• one gallon water (do not use filtered because there are no minerals.)
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 tbsp Black Strap Molasses
• 1 drop vanilla, per glass.
• clean bottle with tight lid.

Many Blessings:))
Mary Helen

APPLE WATER KIFER

Water kifer is one of my favorite probiotic drinks of all the probiotic drinks. I love the fact that it carbonates just like soda, and for the price of sugar and water.  First, you get all the health benefits of  probiotics without having to use any dairy, or calories. Some of the benefits includes, energy, a state of well being, satiated. Detox.  Anyway,  Second, you can actually drink all the kifer water you want right?  After all it's water.  You can drink a gallon of this a day and it is fine. It's a good way to get your probiotics, have a healthy gut, and get to drink lots of liquids.  Last of all, Water Kifer is a very cheap, and a healthy probiotic water. Last time I checked, water was pretty cheap right?

Why did I label this drink as a diabetic drink?  The Kifer Water Grains, again the term SCOBY comes up,  (Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast)  Well, this bacteria and yeast feeds off the sugar.  So the sweet sugar water, that was sweet sugar water, is no more.  The Water Kifer Grains eat all the sugar, and leaves a nice carbonated probiotic drink. Well in place of all sugar and water, I added 100% apple juice.  the ratio is as follows...

• 3 tbsp Water Kifer Grains
• 2 cups 100% apple juice
• 2 cups water
• 1 tsp black strap molasses

I mixed 2 cups warm water with the black strap molasses.  Then cool to room temperature.  Mix the apple juice and sweet water shake and add to grain.  Set in a warm place. Within a few hours, you will start to see your Water Kifer Grain, do what I call the bubble dance.  The grains absolutely love this combination and do flourish.  This wonderful probiotic kifer water should be ready in 12 hours if kept in a warm place.  Longer if set in a cooler place. The drink is barely noticibly sweet, and quite bubbly.  If I bottle this or decant this into another jar, it would only be for another12 hours in a warm place.because  it would continue to carbonate. Quite similar to sparkling apple cider, but better, not a fake carbonation. Do not add more ferment time, or sugar as this will lead to a small alcoholic but probiotic drink that tastes quite like alcohol.  Yuck.  I was bottling this sweet drink till I had an explosion.  I had glass chards flying everywhere.  Quite scary.  Thank God I had just left the kitchen too.  Now again don't dare bottle for more than 12 hours with this combination. 

What you see here is the bubbles from the above ingredients.  It has been combined for about 18 hours.  It looks quite ready.  When I pop open the lid and take a good whiff.  My nose quickly inhales the fermented scent.  I immediately know that smell and know if it could burst or not.  This one looks like it could burst in a glass bottle  So I would enjoy drinking this now as opposed to later.  Actually to be honest, I should have and would have preferred to drink this Apple Kifer Water, after a 12 hours and not 18 hours later.  Smells like and tastes a bit like alcohol.  So then, all you do is strain.  Rinse grains well.  And start another batch of kifer water using just water and sugar.  It is best to alternate, to give your grain a break.

I love my probiotics whatever way I can get them.  This apple water kifer is healthy, delicious and very cheap.  You will never have to buy another soda again.  The health benefits are amazing, as it has helped me lose weight and keep the majority of it off.  It quenches, that sweet tooth cravings I have.  I've learned to really become creative with Water Kifer.  Like Cream soda?  Try adding vanilla to your already brewed water kifer.  Do not add the vanilla to the grains.  Careful cause the grains are delicate.  I have had water kifer grains disintegrate on me.  Try strawberries, bananas, or mango.  Only experiment once your grains have grown and you have a backup supply.  But this recipe is a tried and true, according to my results here in Mary Helen's Test Kitchen, in Hollywood, Ca.  If you have any success stories, by all means, please share.:)

Enjoy, and many blessings:))

Mary Helen

BREW KOMBUCHA WITHOUT THE SCOBY.

SCOBY (SYBIOTIC CULTURE OF BACTERIA AND YEAST, in Kombucha

Who says you need a SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast) to make Kombucha?  I remember when I searched for this wonderful baby (SCOBY) I read I needed to make my own kombucha earlier last year.  I did make a drink similar using a Mother from an apple cider vinegar I brewed earlier last year using green tea.  But I only made green tea vinegar.  haha, It was good and also probiotic, but it was not kombucha.  It was altogether a whole different ball game. Well after months of research and experimenting in my own kitchen.  I found you can make kombucha using a bottle of kombucha itself to innoculate your tea to make the SCOBY and the Kombucha.   However, my quest to get my real SCOBY was accomplished here in my own neighborhood.  Anyway,  here is what you will need...

• one gallon of green or black  tea.  Home brewed is preferred but store bought is also an option.  
• one 16 oz bottle of original raw kombucha
• one large glass, stainless steel, or plastic container, big enough to hold your kombucha tea.  Note, if using a plastic container, it must read #1, or #2 on the bottom of the container.
• 1/2-1 cup sugar.  Not less.  Do not substitute.



WHITE FILM QUITE DEFINED...SCOBY 

• clean cloth to cover

Add sugar to steeped tea, disolving before you add your bottle of kombucha. Stir well and pour in large container.  Cover with a cloth to avoid any unfriendly critters that may be flying around.  Because if you make it, surely they will come.  LOL.  Put in a warm quiet place undisturbed.  I like to keep mine by the warm window.  She loves it there, and within 4-10 days, you will see a thin layer of white film, floating on top.  Do not disturb her.  She will grow into a off white beautiful SCOBY.  And you are on your way to a happy successful kombucha brewing.

Note you can always make more or less of this recipe.  However on the note of making less...  May I suggest you still add the full 16 oz bottle of kombucha anyway.  It will just help speed up the brewing process, by maybe a couple of days. Also note that the more sugar you add, the chances of having an alcoholic beverage is also greater.  Not to the point of drinking real alcohol. but it is noticeble in taste. So just be careful there I particularly do not like the taste of alcohol. So I use less sugar. The taste is not sweet at all, but you can always get creative by adding juice, or any sweetener of your choice.  Next will come the carbonation but that is in  the second ferment, and bottling and capping.  We'll talk about that another day.

So let's get healthy and start brewing.

Happy Live Probiotics Folks:)

Many Blessings:)

Mary Helen

sybiotic culture of bacteria and Yeast

MILK KIFER AND PROBIOTICS

Milk Kifer
Milk kifer is yet another probiotic drink.  It is similar to a liquid plain yogurt in taste, maybe a little more tart. If you don't like the taste, try making fruit smoothies out of the milk kfer..  Milk kifer grain can be put in dairy milk or any other milks and after a day depending on the ratio of milk and grain, is ready.  Milk Kifer is  is also good for folks who are lactose intolerant, because it changes the lactose into lactase.  So now you can drink your milk and get your calcium, and protein.

I like to make kifer ice cream, and herbed cheeses, as well as kifer cheese cakes. Yay.  More healthy probiotics.  Once again there is no comparison with probiotics and taste, when it comes to store bought and homemade milk kifers.  Again it has gone through a heating process enough to slow down the fermenting process.  That way they can keep the desired taste.  Real milk kifers as well yogurt will continue to ferment, making it more tart day by day. This doesn't happen to store bought products.  Hmm, I wonder why?   Real milk kifers, as each day passes it ferments into a tart probiotic edible. That's it for now.  Keep googling folks.  Stay informed.
Stay tuned for exciting milk kifer recipes, coming real soon.
Many blessing,
Mary Helen.

GT KOMBUCHA AND PROBIOTICS

Kombucha
I have been fermenting/brewing kombucha for just a few months but did months of research before I received my scoby. (SCOBY=SYMBIOTIC CULTURE OF BACTERIA AND YEAST).  It is also referred the the "mother".  Scoby  looks like a mushroom floating at the top of each bottle of kombucha.  It's circumference would be the same size of the container holding the scoby and tea.  Kombucha is the probiotic drink that is made by putting the scoby and green or black tea, and sugar. It is left to ferment for 3 to 10 days.  3 days if in a warm place.  Expect at least 10 days more or less in a much colder climate.  If you don't see the scoby in your bottle of kombucha floating at the top of the bottle.  Chances are your store bought kombucha especially the ones on the shelf, that is NOT REFRIGERATED, have been heated to kill most of the live bacteria.  This will ward off the chance of the unsightly mushroom growing. Hey you don't want to ward off the paying customers. but now you no longer have that healthy probiotic drink that they searched for.  Yes heat kills the healthy bacteria.  They heat it up enough to kill most but not all the living bacteria.  This way they can still label it raw, or unpasteurized.  Sad but true.

Although I have only been brewing kombucha for a few months, in that time I have had many brews going at one time.  From fresh blueberries, guavas, and apples,  to herb like hibiscus, ginger, or anise.  Kombucha quickly turns to vinegar, and is great as dressings for salads, as well as the skin.  Mint kombucha is so refreshing,  It make for a great vinaigrette. It also makes a great skin toner as well.

This fermented probiotic, is quite delicious.  It has a tangy somewhat vinegary taste.  It always quenches my thirst, gives me energy, and makes me feel full, so I eat less too. I also like to take a glass of kombucha upon arising,  It's vinegary taste is a good eye opener.  No more coffee for me.  I also like to drink kombucha at least 15-20 minutes before each meal, not during. I take it before I go to bed as well, because I know it also works as a detox.  I will let it run it's course while I sleep. It works for me.  Kombucha can be fermented/brewed with other herbs, and fruits, for a variety of nutrition, as well as taste.

Kombucha is cheap and easy to brew.  One 16 oz. bottle of kombucha sold in the markets, averages. $2.79.  For the price of one bottle, you could easily  brew a gallon.  I have a motto that I always share, and it is..."Waste not want not".  Why spend your hard earned money for a lower quality product, when you can brew the real live kombucha, easy and at home.

Well that's it for now,  till the next time...  Be on the lookout for upcoming recipes coming real soon.
Many blessings,
Mary Helen

WATER KIFER AND PROBIOTICS

I have been brewing/fermenting water kifer for almost one year now.  Yes, one year ago I was diabetic, had high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.  I also had a serious breathing problem too.  I received my two tsp of kifer grain which I purchased online. Funny, because I have never bought water kifer as a drink before, so I really didn't know what it should taste like.  But I just kept brewing it anyway.  Why? Because my research towards a healthier me led me to WATER KIFER AND PROBIOTICS.  It took me quite a while to adjust to the slight "smell" and taste of kifer water.  However I found mixing fermented water kifer with fruit juice or herbs is an excellent way to disquise that "slight "smell" and taste.  It is a drink that is really ALIVE and is known for it's cellular rejuvenation.  It is an excellent natural energy drink, as well as a detoxifier.    I have read that thousands of years ago it's waters were called "The fountain of youth", and the kifer grain was quite precious then.

It reminds me of a story I read here online, it was a story about a Russian king who had no Water Kifer Grain for himself or his kingdom.  It was said that China had an abundant supply but kept a close guard at all times as they did not want to share this grain with any other country.  They alone wanted to rule the land by longevity, and vitality.  However, the King of Russia heard of this amazing grain worth more than gold,.  He sent his beautiful sister to China to seduce the King, and succeeded.  She fell in love with the King of China, and told him what had conspired.  He let her go home to take the grain to her brother, the King with instructions to give it lots of loving care.  The Brother happily received the grain, and immediately began to grow the grain for his kingdom.  This is where they said they took it a step further and realized that this is grain was also considered a medicine as well as a water that gives life and began to continue its scientific research. To conclude they found that this Water Kifer Grain, did indeed have capabilities to heal many illnesses.  Whoever, drank of this water on a regular basis began a remarkable journey of recovery.


Probiotics
PRO=FOR. BIOTICS= LIFE.  I like that.  The thought that live micro-organisms kind of reconstructing all the damage that was done all those years through, food, stress, and drugs.  Well, the first thing I noticed was my diahhrea was gone. I hated taking pills, and have been asking if they could check to see if they could reduce the amount of medication.  I was always told no, because my body couldn't function without it.  So not to take the full dose of anti diarrhea medication was a scary start for me.  It's been a year now, I no longer take any pills for the bad diarrhea I once had.  As a matter of fact today, I am totally medication free, and have been for a few months now.   I still see my doctor, for my check ups, and his response at first was probably the test was faulty.  I said I didn't think so because of how good I felt.  My energy level improved so much, that I no longer have to take an afternoon nap.  Did I mention that I also lost  40 pounds somewhere down the line.  And I wasn't even dieting.  They say there is not enough evidence to claim it's benefits, but I can only share with you my experience with probiotic drinks, and foods.  So probiotic food is not in just yogurt.  Water Kifer is loaded with a whole lot more probiotics than yogurt.

Water Kifer 
Water Kifer a a very living probiotic drink.  It is made by putting water kifer grain with sugar water for a couple of days to ferment.  So easy folks.  After that you just drink the water.  If you want, you can bottle the water with a tight seal for a second ferment.  It then becomes a naturally carbonated drink.  Very fizzy, just like soda.  You can flavor it with fruit or herbs for a variety of fizzy drinks.  Water kifer, is an alternative to drinking milk kifer.  You can get all the probiotic benefits without the calories right?  That sounds good to me.

So hopefully you now know a little more about these wonderful PROBIOTIC elixers. At least enough to explore for yourself wonderful world of PROBIOTICS. I learned to work with it and have made as much at 10 brews going at once, using different herbs, fruits and sugars.  The benefits you will reap will be priceless.  I am not telling you to quit taking your medication.  Just try any one of these probiotic drinks, and give it a fair chance. In time soon, you will know by how you feel.  Continuing seeing your doctor, and ask him what he thinks. Get your blood work, see what happens.  It is so much better in quality  if you can ferment/brew at home for the probiotic effects.  If you don't brew, find someone who does.  I'm sure they will be quite willing to share. In doing so you would also save a lot of money too. Not to mention the kifer water with young coconut juice.  That is priced at a low (haha) price of $13.99 for 16 ounces.  Yes that's right.  Probiotics is not cheap.  However, it is, if you make it at home.

Enjoy, and many blessings,
Mary Helen