Milk kefir grains or water kefir grains?
In short
They are two different cultures. Milk kefir grains are white and soft, and turn a litre of whole milk into a creamy, tangy drink in 24 hours. Water kefir grains are clear crystals and turn sugar water with a dried fig into a light sparkling drink in 24 hours. You cannot swap them. If you love buttermilk and yoghurt, start with milk grains; if you want something like a homemade soda, water grains. Many people end up with both.
Side by side
| Milk kefir grains | Water kefir grains | |
|---|---|---|
| Look | White, soft, like cauliflower heads | Clear, crunchy crystals |
| Feed | 1 litre of whole milk | 1 litre of water, 4 tbsp sugar, 1 dried fig |
| Amount | 20 g | 30 g |
| Time | 24 hours | 24 hours |
| Taste | Creamy, tangy, a little fizz | Light, fruity, sparkling |
| Dairy free | No | Yes |
Choose milk grains if
You like buttermilk, natural yoghurt or lassi, you want something for breakfast and smoothies, and you get through a litre of milk a day.
Choose water grains if
You want a dairy-free drink, you like fizzy drinks with less sugar than shop sodas, and you enjoy flavouring bottles with fruit and ginger.
Or both, with the duo
The kefir duo has 20 g of milk grains and 30 g of water grains: a creamy jar and a sparkling jar side by side, five minutes a day for the two.
Milk grains, water grains, or the duo
Natural Probio sends both cultures live across the UK, packed on the day of dispatch with a guide for each. Start with one, or take the duo and have both jars going this week.
Order live milk kefir grainsGrains from time-honoured methods, unique and resilientDelivery across the UK, trackedMoney-back guaranteeOver 20,000 customers
Milk or water: questions
Can milk grains live in plant milk?
For a batch or two, then they need cow's or goat's milk again. For a dairy-free routine, water grains are the natural choice.
Can water grains go in milk?
No. They need sugar water. The two cultures are not interchangeable.
Which is easier for a beginner?
Both are easy: five minutes a day. Milk kefir is a little more forgiving of the odd late morning.
