How long should I ferment my water kefir?WATER KEFIR+
Usually 24 to 48h at 20-25°C. The most reliable sign: the fig rises to the surface. The drink becomes slightly cloudy, fizzy, and most of the sugar is gone.
My water kefir is too sweet, what should I do?WATER KEFIR+
You strained too early. Let it ferment 12 to 24h longer, until the fig clearly floats up.
My water kefir is not fizzyWATER KEFIR+
The fizz comes from the second fermentation in a sealed bottle. Strain, bottle with a little fruit, seal tightly and leave 24-48h at room temperature.
Can I replace the sugar with honey?WATER KEFIR+
No. The grains need sucrose. Honey has antibacterial properties that harm the grains. Raw cane, whole cane or white sugar all work.
Which milk should I use for milk kefir?MILK KEFIR+
Preferably organic whole milk, pasteurised or raw. Absolutely no UHT or skimmed milk. Plant milk is not suitable.
Is milk kefir suitable if I am sensitive to lactose?MILK KEFIR+
Fermentation reduces the lactose content by 70 to 80%. Many people with mild sensitivity find it comfortable. If you are severely intolerant, water kefir is the better choice.
Can milk kefir be turned into fresh cheese?MILK KEFIR+
Yes! Let it ferment 48h, then pour it into a fine cloth and hang it. Drain 12-24h in the fridge for a creamy labneh.
My milk kefir grains float, is that normal?MILK KEFIR+
Yes, completely normal. The CO2 produced by the grains makes them rise.
How long should I ferment my kombucha?KOMBUCHA+
7 to 14 days depending on the temperature and your taste. Shorter = sweeter. Longer = more tart. Taste from day 7.
How do I rescue a culture that got mouldy?KOMBUCHA+
Keep the original disc, run a new fermentation for 5 days, then start again with the disc + 100 ml of the liquid for 8 days. If it does not work, a new culture will be sent to you.
My SCOBY sank to the bottom, is that a problem?KOMBUCHA+
No. The SCOBY can float, sink or hover in between. What matters is that a new disc forms on the surface.
My kombucha tastes like vinegar, what can I do?KOMBUCHA+
Fermentation went too long. Reduce by 2-3 days, or dilute with fruit juice. You can also use it as homemade vinegar!
Does kombucha contain alcohol?KOMBUCHA+
Very little: 0.5 to 1% max, below the threshold of a non-alcoholic drink.
How much liquid rennet for 1 litre of milk?RENNET+
2 to 4 drops of our high-concentration rennet (110,000 U) for 1 L. Dilute in a little cold, non-chlorinated water.
My curd is not forming, why?RENNET+
Frequent causes: UHT milk (does not curdle), wrong temperature (must be 30-35°C), chlorinated water used to dilute, or expired rennet.
I can see mould (green, black, fuzzy)PROBLEM+
Kefir: throw everything away, a new culture will be sent (lifetime guarantee). Kombucha: first try the 5-day + 8-day rescue method.
I am going on holiday, how do I store my grains?PROBLEM+
1 week: jar with water + sugar in the fridge. 2-4 weeks: change the bath every 15 days. Longer: freeze the rinsed and dried grains (6 months max).
My grains are shrinking or disappearingPROBLEM+
Check: chlorinated water (switch to filtered water), refined white sugar (try raw cane sugar), reactive metal (switch to plastic), UHT milk (switch to whole non-UHT milk).
What are the delivery times?ORDERS+
France: 3-5 days (standard), 24-48h (express). Belgium/Switzerland: 4-7 days. Italy/Spain: 5-8 days. Rest of Europe: 7-12 days.
How does the lifetime culture guarantee work?ORDERS+
If your cultures become inactive despite correct use, we send new ones for free. Send a photo + description by email, answer within 24h.
Which payment methods do you accept?ORDERS+
Credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, AmEx), PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay. Payments secured by Stripe.
Can I use tap water for water kefir?WATER KEFIR+
Yes, but chlorinated water slows fermentation. Let the water sit 2h in an open jug so the chlorine evaporates, or use filtered/spring water.
How long does water kefir keep once strained?WATER KEFIR+
In the refrigerator, 5 to 7 days in a closed bottle. The taste evolves: it gets more tart over time. Ideally, drink it within 3 days.
My grains changed colour, is that normal?WATER KEFIR+
Yes. Grains take on the colour of the ingredients: brownish with raw cane sugar, pinkish with red fruits. Only mould (green, black, fuzzy) is a problem.
Can I make milk kefir with goat or sheep milk?MILK KEFIR+
Yes, and it is excellent! Goat milk gives a lighter kefir. Sheep milk gives a creamier, richer kefir. Always whole milk, never UHT.
How do I know my milk kefir is ready?MILK KEFIR+
The milk has thickened (drinking-yogurt texture), with a light sweet-and-sour smell, and sometimes visible whey separation on the sides of the jar. Taste it: it should be creamy and tangy.
Can I make kombucha with loose leaf tea?KOMBUCHA+
Yes, it is even recommended! Use 8 g of loose leaf tea (black, green or a blend) for 1 litre. Make sure you strain the leaves out well before adding the SCOBY.
My kombucha smells like vinegar, is it still good?KOMBUCHA+
Yes, it is safe but very fermented. Use it as kombucha vinegar (dressings, marinades) or as starter liquid for your next batch.
Is the rennet vegetarian?RENNET+
Our rennet is animal-based (extracted from calf abomasum), the traditional and most effective form. For a vegetarian alternative, some shops sell microbial rennet.
Can I use the rennet with pasteurised supermarket milk?RENNET+
Yes, pasteurised milk works very well. Only UHT milk (sterilised at high temperature) is unsuitable, because its proteins are too denatured to coagulate properly.
My parcel arrived warm / late, are the cultures still good?PROBLEM+
The cultures are resilient and survive shipping very well (up to 5-7 days). Activate them as soon as they arrive. If nothing happens after 5 activation cycles, contact us for a free replacement.
Can I give kefir to my children or pets?PROBLEM+
Water kefir can be given to children from 1 year old in small amounts. Milk kefir follows the same rules as dairy products. As for pets, dogs and cats enjoy milk kefir in small doses.
Do you deliver outside Europe?ORDERS+
We deliver across Europe. For destinations outside Europe, contact us by email to check feasibility and delivery times.
My parcel says "delivered" but I have not received itORDERS+
Check with your neighbours and your letterbox. If it is still missing after 48h, contact us with your order number: we open an investigation and send you a new parcel.
