Kefir Question

[ElizabethStudent]

Hello !

I just had a quick question regarding milk kefir. I have been making kefir now for the past few months and loving it! Recently I noticed that my kefir is starting to smell off and has a very strong metallic scent to it. The grains look great and healthy and is still producing nice thick kefir. Looking online, one of the suggestions was to put an airtight lid on your kefir container instead of using a cloth (which I was using). The other suggestion was to store the kefir in the fridge. Would that kill the good bacteria and stop the fermentation process? I would love to hear from anyone familiar to kefir ! Thanks, Elizabeth

Oh, what peace we often forfeit, Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry, everything to God in prayer!

[MariposaStudent]

Does the kefir taste off or you just smell a metallic smell? I recommend you rinse your grains thoroughly with fresh milk only and start again in a clean jar. I use a piece of paper towel with a rubber band or the metal ring from the ball jar lid to close the jar while fermenting on the counter. After I strain the kefir, I put it in a jar with a lid and keep in the fridge. A lot of times I don’t want to strain my kefir right away, so I’ll put it in the refrigerator with the paper towel on top before it’s completely fermented. I can leave it like that for a couple of days and then finish the fermentation on the counter if needed.

Also, I’ve heard that metal shouldn’t be used with the grains, so I use a plastic strainer and silicone spatula. I know someone who sells kefir who uses a stainless steel strainer, so maybe that’s a myth.

Not sure if any of that’s helpful but let me know if you have more questions.

[ElizabethStudentTopic Author]

Hello !

Thank you so much for all your advance ! I haven’t tasted the kefir just to be on the safe side but it has a metallic smell too it and doesn’t smell like the fermented ,yeasty smell it usually has. I ended up cleaning the jar it was in and also putting a lid on it instead of using a cloth to seal it with a rubber band. I washed the grains with milk as well. Thanks for the tip of storing the kefir in the fridge if I am not ready to strain it ! I sometimes don’t have time too and the kefir sits too long and I believe that may be the cause of the kefir smelling bad. I strain my kefir with a plastic strainer as well and avoid using metal.

Thanks again for your advance ! I believe my Kefir will bounce back soon and be back to it’s lovely fermented scent 🙂 I love my kefir !

Blessings, Elizabeth

Oh, what peace we often forfeit, Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry, everything to God in prayer!

[Author]

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