I went to Trader Joe's for the first time tonight. I noticed they
have several flavors of kefir (including unflavored) in the dairy
case. Can this be used to culture your own kefir, or do you have to
start with "grains"?

(I bought lots of dried fruits and nuts and crackers, a bottle of
Chuck's cabernet, and some single bottles of beer)

-Bob

zxcvbob > wrote:

> I went to Trader Joe's for the first time tonight. I noticed they
> have several flavors of kefir (including unflavored) in the dairy
> case. Can this be used to culture your own kefir, or do you have to
> start with "grains"?

Commercial kefir in the USA and most "Western" countries is likely to be
pasteurised, so does not contain any live culture.

Victor

On 04/01/2011 2:56 PM, Ranée at Arabian Knits wrote:
> In >,
> > wrote:
>
>> I went to Trader Joe's for the first time tonight. I noticed they
>> have several flavors of kefir (including unflavored) in the dairy
>> case. Can this be used to culture your own kefir, or do you have to
>> start with "grains"?
>
> I _think_ it will only work if you have the grains, but it's worth a
> try.
>

That was my understanding too. And if I have it right, you use the same
crystals over and over.

"Ranée at Arabian Knits" wrote:
>
> In article >,
> zxcvbob > wrote:
>
> > I went to Trader Joe's for the first time tonight. I noticed they
> > have several flavors of kefir (including unflavored) in the dairy
> > case. Can this be used to culture your own kefir, or do you have to
> > start with "grains"?
>
> I _think_ it will only work if you have the grains, but it's worth a
> try.
>

Some of my relatives have been making/drinking kefir for ages. They make
the new batch from the old batch. That's the way it's been done for a
very long time.
If the commercial kefir hasn't been pasteurised after production it will
work, same as 'live' yogurt, creme fraiche or sour cream.