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(Published: Nov 22, 2017)

Water kefir is a probiotic fermented beverage that's similar to kombucha but with less sugar, no caffeine, and a lighter taste. Find water kefir grains at your local health food store/market. Try experimenting by adding different fruits!

Directions:

1) Dissolve sugar in small amount of hot water.
2) Once sugar is dissolved, fill the rest of the jar with cool filtered water. Make sure the water is NOT warm and is at room temperature!
3) Add water kefir grains and gently stir.
4) Add a quarter slice of lemon and one prune.
5) Cover with a towel, cheesecloth, or coffee filter and rubber band to keep out insects/rodents/small children (same thing).
6) Leave on the counter for 2-3 days (preferably at 20-25 degrees). In the summer, stick with 2. In the winter, up to 3. It's fall right now, so 2 1/2 works well.
7) After 2-3 days, place 1/2 to 1 cup of fruit in a new mason jar. Fresh berries, peaches, grapes, apples, or pears are all great! Strain out the water kefir grains through a bamboo or mesh strainer (don't use metal if you can help it) and pour the liquid into the fruit-filled jar. Cover it tightly with a lid and let it sit for 24 hours. Ideally use a plastic lid. If you use metal, the liquid will start bubbling and form a gas, so you might need to "release" the gas every 6 hours so the lid doesn't pop open.
8) After 24 hours, the fruit will rise to the surface, and the liquid can now be refrigerated.
9) Keep your water kefir grains and repeat the process!