Foody Mommy: Tibicos / Water Kefir Probiotic Soda

Grape, lemon, ginger & passionfruit sodas

Water kefir is a great tasting, lower sugar alternative to commercial sodas with the extra benefit of probiotic goodness. Probiotics are good bacteria that help maintain gut health. Vitagen & Yakult are also probiotic drinks. (Note: Some folks believe that water kefir is a "miracle drink" with myriad health benefits & even amazing curative powers - well, you'll have to research & decide for yourself - but I strongly urge everyone to seek proper medical attention for medical issues.)

My Tibicos Grains

One little water kefir grain is actually a culture of bacteria & yeast held in a polysaccharide matrix (wikipedia). When put in sugared water at room temperature, they'll feed on the sugar, releasing gas & a tiny bit of alcohol. After 2-3 days, you get a nice, fizzy probiotic drink. The grains (which multiply) are strained out and can be reused over & over - and I've been sharing my extra grains free with friends & even strangers (Singapore only).

Note: water kefir is different from milk kefir, which works on milk. Milk kefir tastes like yogurt. I also make milk kefir regularly for my boys - see this post.

A mini brew. Click to see tibicos grains better!

A few RULES ...

* Tibicos are LIVE! They can be killed with hot water, chlorine, oil, pesticides & preservatives (on fresh/dried fruit), anti-bacterials (HONEY, soap, detergent etc) - to clean jars, rinse with vinegar & water only.

* Tibicos hate METAL (except stainless steel), so you’ll need glass containers & plastic / stainless steel utensils.

* Tibicos hate CHLORINE! Get mineral water or de-chlorinate tap water (boil & cool / leave overnight) - for brews AND for rinsing tibicos / fruit used. If using distilled/filtered water, you'll need to add minerals for tibicos to thrive.

OK then ... here's my recipe:

Ingredients (recommended ratio - but I often put in more sugar & tibicos):

1 Tablespoons raw sugar
2 Tablespoons tibicos (rinsed in cool boiled water)
1 Cup cool boiled water
1 teaspoon unsulphured raisins & 1 slice lemon/lime (remove waxed rind)

Optional (these contain minerals that make tibicos "healthy" & productive):
1 Tablespoon jaggery (dissolved & strained) or
1 teaspoon unsulphured molasses

Method:

1. Put everything in glass jar - I'd dissolve the sugar first, but some folks just mix it all together. Secure gauze/cloth over the top with elastic, or cling wrap & prick holes with toothpick. If you cap it, you'll need to leave some air space & open it once in a while to release gas build-up & refresh the air as tibicos need oxygen.

2. Keep the jar out of direct sunlight for 24 - 48 hours (max: 4 days). The longer it brews, the more sugar gets converted to alcohol. Click for more info on: alcohol content (usually <1%) / sugar content (~ 20% remains after 2 days of brewing).

3. Strain liquid through mesh held firmly over the rim into another bottle. Do secondary fermentation (see below) to add flavour & fizz. Remove raisins & lemon with plastic utensil (can eat those, dump or make fertilizer). Rinse tibicos in de-chlorinated water (I use plastic colander & bowl) & start a fresh brew, or store in fridge (up to 3 months).

Instead of mesh, a plastic strainer/colander can be used.

Secondary fermentation

Guzzled half before I remembered to take a pic!

Strain liquid into a bottle (can use funnel), leaving some air space. For flavour: add juice, cut fruit, frozen berries, dried fruit, ginger, herbs etc. Here ripe kyoho grape halves have turned the drink a lovely mauve. I also like passionfruit (5 for $2.50 @ NTUC). Pulp from 2 is good for a 6-cup brew. For lots more yummy ideas, click here.

Next, cap tightly & leave for 12-18 hours (best) at room temperature to make “fizz” - note that bottles can explode if left too long! Chill to stop fermentation, or strain into smaller bottles & chill. If using a soda PET bottle, you’ll find that it is squeezable at first, but it will feel much firmer after a while. Open with caution & enjoy!

If it tastes too sweet or too strong, add water or juice. Ice & a squeeze of big lime will perk up many drinks! Best taken on empty stomach before breakfast or bed. In a full tummy, it may ferment food stuff and cause discomfort due to gas or bloating. Then again, taking it with a meal might cut calories cos it'll eat up some sugar ... *burp!*

More info on my other blog: www.mskefir.blogspot.com

Video on another blog: http://zoevblog.com

Bubbling Tibicos - Top View (taken with iPhone)

Bubbling Tibicos - Side View (taken with iPhone)

The recipe featured in this video: 1/2 cup raw sugar, 2 tablespoons Muscavado sugar, 2 cups water kefir grains, 6 cups water, 1 thin, round slice of lemon (without peel)

6 comments :

UnknownJune 15, 2012 at 7:40 PM
Funny enough, I thought of water kefir as something European or Asian like kombucha but
as it turns out it is decidedly new world. When I started to look more into it, see HERE,
it is actually a drink I had as a child called tibicos. Most cultures have alcoholic
beverages as part of their tradition, and usually a less alcoholic drink as well.
lfarquharSeptember 27, 2012 at 1:12 PM
Hi! Thank you for your post on water kefir. Very informational and I like your video of the grains dancing around! :)

I am wondering do you know of anyone who would be willing to give away some of her/his water kefir grains in Singapore?

Thank you!

Lily Tan
XSeptember 27, 2012 at 1:45 PM
Try asking here: http://theconsciouslife.com/how-to-make-water-kefir-tibicos.htm. Good luck!
UnknownMarch 3, 2013 at 2:38 AM
Hi,
Is it possible to share(or sell) your water(and milk) kefir?

Pls sms,my contact are 83491139.

Im staying in singapore

Thanks

Teck
THE WOMAN WITH THE HANGERMarch 11, 2013 at 11:37 AM
Hi there

This is a most amazing and informative blog. I am interested in consuming water kefir for its health benefits. Would it be possible for you to share some kefir water grains with me.

I live in Singapore.

Many thanks

Ms Lim
mMarch 21, 2013 at 1:57 PM
Hi all, sorry I've not been making this for a while so I've no tibicos to share. But if you googled a bit, I think you'd be able to find people with spare grains cos they REALLY multiply :-)

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Tibicos / Water Kefir Probiotic Soda

6 comments :