Water Kefir?

[DearDinah]

Does anyone make water kefir?
I got some grains from the health food shop a few weeks ago and have been experimenting with what I already had in (Demerara sugar/lemon juice/fresh ginger) but it's horrid!
I feel like giving up, the end result is like syrup, tastes like it smells and I've never had any bubbles!
I'm trying to make it for my MIL suffering with bowel cancer, but I can't give her this!
I bought some rapadura sugar, would that give better results?
I've been brewing the grains for 48 hours in a kilner jar (lid off), then straining into another kilner jar with the lid on and storing for another 48 hours in a cupboard. Am I doing something wrong?
Any alive would be most appreciated, different websites say different things...

[WindyWeather22]

I've been making milk kefir for about a month with good results, and have just started a batch of water kefir - have you tried mixing it with a fruit juice to drink? I was told to start mine off with a handful of raisins and apparently it's supposed to taste less sweet as time goes on which proves that it's working and that's why you have to add juice to taste - if you store it in an air tight bottle/container in the fridge once fermented, that's when it will bubble. If you google water kefir, there are various videos showing how you should culture it

[WindyWeather22]

Also you have to wash it in water (boiled or bottled) for every new batch. Are you using boiled or bottled water to culture it - you shouldn't use just tap water as the chlorine kills the kefir and you shouldn't use filtered water as the kefir likes minerals as well as sugar - try doing it with white refined sugar

[caramelgirl]

I tried milk kefir, thought was vile. But maybe I was doing it wrong?!

Been making water kefir for a few months.
Came with strict instructions: 1tbsp of sugar/100ml bottles water/1tbsp kefir grains, plus 1/2 lemon, plus 1tbsp raisins/1 fig.
At least 48 hours brewing, wait until fig floats up to top.

Avoid contact with anything metal. Ginger can kick start it.

Fish out lemon and fig with plastic spoon.
Store liquid in fridge, maybe with some flavour, I add raspberries.
Then repeat with new half lemon, fig, sugar water.

May take a few goes to make it taste bearable.

Look at www.kefirheaven.co.uk for instructions etc. found it fairly helpful.

[caramelgirl]

I don't wash and it's gone okay so far

[caramelgirl]

Forgot to say: I'm happy to post some to you if you'd like? PM me your address if so, I'm in East London - canary wharf if that's convenient for pick up otherwise.

[caramelgirl]

Also forgot to say that there is an interesting R4 Food Programme episode on fermented foods. Can find it on their website