This Coconut Rose Kefir Is Full of Probiotics—and Easier to Make Than Kombucha
For a lot of people, kombucha is the go-to gut-boosting beverage of choice. But if you've ever tried making it at home, you know it's, well, not easy. Fortunately, Healthy Drinks author Anna Ottosson has perfected an alternative that's full of probiotic goodness and doesn't take weeks to make.
Ottosson turns unsweetened coconut water into a probiotic powerhouse by using activated kefir grains—which can easily be found online—resulting in sweet, refreshing water kefir. It turns out that water kefir has even more bacteria strains than kombucha thanks to its lactic acid bacteria, which kombucha doesn't have. The bigger variety of good bacteria you have in your gut, the better it’s all balancing, so expanding your probiotic horizons is a worthwhile pursuit.
"With eighty percent of the body’s immune system response happening in our gut, this kefir’s good bacteria gives an extra-healthy boost to your immunity, too."
Ottosson's recipe tastes amazing thanks to the delicate flavor of rose water—you could also use pomegranate juice if you wanted more tang—and a cinnamon stick. (You can also try star of anise or cardamom pods to mix up the flavor.)
“It’s perfect for balancing and strengthening your gut,” says Ottosson. “And with eighty percent of the body’s immune system response happening in our gut, this kefir’s good bacteria gives an extra-healthy boost to your immunity, too.” This may just be the drink to get you through the rest of winter.
Keep reading to see how to make rose water coconut kefir at home.
Rose water coconut kefir
Serves 4
1 quart (1 liter) unsweetened coconut water
4 Tbsp kefir grains, activated
2 Tbsp rose water
1 cinnamon stick, or any other flavoring ingredient (optional)
1. Heat the coconut water to 98.6°F, or use it at room temperature.
2. Pour the water into a large, sterilized glass jar, and add the activated kefir grains, rose water, and a cinnamon stick.
3. Cover the jar tightly with a kitchen towel and secure it with a rubber band. Leave the jar at room temperature for 24 to 48 hours. Strain out kefir grains and save for another use.
Speaking of gut health, here's how to choose a probiotic that actually works. Plus, the exact ones gut experts take every day.
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