How To Freeze Kefir Grains?
How to freeze kefir grains? Drain the kefir grains from the kefir using a strainer and rinse with unchlorinated water. Place them on a paper towel and tap them to drain. You can also leave them for several hours to drain gradually. Place them in a plastic bag, plastic jar, or glass jar. Store up to 6 months in the freezer.
Many people choose to freeze milk kefir grains when they want to take a break from making kefir. There are several ways to store milk and water kefir grains, and freezing is one of them. However, keep in mind that kefir grains should be active for at least 3-4 weeks before resting. To learn more about freezing kefir grains, keep reading this article.
Table of Contents
How To Freeze Kefir Grains?
- Use a strainer to drain kefir grains from the kefir.
- Rinse the grains with unchlorinated water.
- Place the grains on paper towels to dry them from the water.
- Leave the grains on the towels for several hours to dry completely, or use another paper towel to pat dry.
- Once dried, put the kefir grains in a plastic bag or jar, close tightly, and store in the freezer for 6 months maximum.
How To Freeze Kefir Grains Milk?
Another way for freezing milk kefir grains is with powdered milk. Grains still need to be drained from the kefir and rinsed under nonchlorinated water. After you let them dry, place them in a jar. Sprinkle them with a little bit of milk powder and cover them with a lid. Store milk kefir grains in the freezer. This way, your milk kefir grains will stay fresh and good to use for up to 6 months.
How To Freeze Water Kefir Grains?
- Drain water kefir grains and rinse under the cold nonchlorinated water.
- Allow them to dry on a paper towel and gently pat dry with another towel if needed.
- Fill a plastic jar with sugar and bury kefir grains deep into the sugar. This will protect them from air, moisture, and freezer burn.
- Make sure to take the grains out of the freezer within 9-12 months.
How To Freeze Dry Kefir Grains?
To freeze dry kefir grains, you will need to drain and rinse them, just like in previous paragraphs. Place them on a dry paper towel and let them dry for 12-24 hours. After they get dry enough, place them in a plastic bag and store them in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Best Way To Freeze Kefir Grains?
Some people skip draining and rinsing the grains. Instead, they immediately coat kefir grains in a milk powder, put them in a jar or plastic bag, and place them in the freezer. This method yields the same result as the method that involves draining and rinsing, but it is better suited for short-term storage. If you plan to store kefir grains for a longer time, take your time to drain and rinse them properly.
Can I Freeze Kefir Grains In Milk?
You can add a little bit of fresh milk to the bag or jar in which you will store kefir grains. Make sure that you add only a small amount of milk so that grains remain exposed to the air from the bag/jar and not drowned in milk. This way, your kefir grains will be able to stay in the freezer for 6-9 months.
Does Freezing Kill Kefir Grains?
Kefir grains are actually a mixture of polysaccharides, lipids, and fat that are inhabited by yeasts and bacteria. Yeast and bacteria can withstand freezing temperatures as low as -4 degrees -f (or -20 degrees C). This means your kefir grains will be viable even after the 6 months, so the answer is – no, freezing doesn’t kill kefir grains.
Can You Freeze Kefir Grains?
Since freezing doesn’t kill kefir grains, you can freeze them in order to store them for a longer time. Frozen kefir grains can easily be deactivated whenever you need them. Simply place them in the fridge overnight, and then cover in a little bit of milk or water, depending on whether you have milk or water kefir grains. Let them ferment for 2 days, and they will be good to use!
How Do You Store Kefir Grains In The Freezer?
Once you prepare them for freezing, place kefir grains in a plastic bag, plastic jar, or glass jar, and then place them in the freezer. It is recommended that you keep your kefir grains in the freezer for a maximum of 6 months, but if you add a little bit of milk powder or fresh milk, you can store them several months longer.
When storing water kefir grains, store them by burying them in a bag or jar filled with sugar. Water kefir grains are more sensitive, and coating them with sugar will prevent them from getting freezer burns.
How Do You Store Kefir Grains Long-Term?
The best option for long-term kefir grains storage is the freezer, especially when you have milk kefir grains. You can easily defrost milk kefir grains once you need them to make raw milk kefir again.
You can also store milk kefir grains in the fridge for up to 1 month. Simply place them in a clean jar and add enough fresh milk to fully cover the grains. Close the jar with a lid and place it in the fridge.
Can I Freeze Kefir?
You can also freeze fresh kefir. Fresh kefir is full of good bacteria that can survive freezing temperatures. Those bacteria become dormant and awake when placed at room temperature. However, you shouldn’t keep it frozen for too long, 3-4 months at the most.
Summary
Now you know how to freeze kefir grains. Simply drain them from kefir in a strainer. Then, rinse under cold nonchlorinated water and place on paper towels to dry for several hours. If you can’t wait so long, gently pat dry them with another paper towel until you remove all the excess moisture. Store in a plastic bag, plastic jar, or glass jar, and then place in the freezer for up to 6 months.
