HAPPY KOMBUCHA BLOG — blog

Water-sealed crocks are a bit more difficult to find and usually more expensive , but they are generally pieces of art worthy of living on your kitchen counter.

After a water-sealed crock is packed, two half-circle weights are placed into the crock to keep your ferment submerged. Then, the lid is placed into an open moat which is then filled with water. Now, outside air is prevented from entering the crock and carbon dioxide gases created during fermentation easily bubble out. This helps to keep the environment inside the crock rich in carbon dioxide and this in turn helps to stop mold. Try to avoid opening the lid as much as you can though as otherwise you are letting fresh oxygen back inside! 

One of the commonly asked questions we have is 

What Sugar is best for Making Water Kefir

For the large part it is simply personal preference but there are a few things to consider when choosing your sugar. 

When choosing a sugar for making water kefir, always read the label. Some sugars may contain anti-caking additives or other ingredients that could affect the health of the water kefir grains. You want to use a plain sugar with no added ingredients. 

Have you been wondering what the deal is with  salt lamps?

It’s not just the beautiful ambient light (in winter they make your room feel all nice and snug, the glow is so incredibly calming too!) .

Salt lamps actually help filter the air, removing dirt, pollen, bacteria, viruses, pet dander, mold spores, positive ions, and more. Right now, salt lamps seem to be all the rage within the natural health community. Users report a dramatic change in the quality of air in their home, leading to many health benefits.

Quark has a very smooth and creamy texture and is slightly sweet but still sour if made with kefir. It has a very unique and very delicious taste. It can used in baking (cheesecake), cooking (Pirogi), as a dip with herbs (rosemary and garlic are my favourites), or most popularly as a dessert with fresh fruits or berries – yum, yum!

Even though Quark is very popular in Europe good Organic live Quark is not easy to find here in the UK but the fantastic news is, its super easy to make with Milk kefir. 

Smoothies are a fantastic way to combine cultured dairy with just about anything. Using combinations of fresh and frozen fruit creates a wonderful thick, ice cold texture but without watering down the smoothie by using ice. You can also add ice-cream (either standard or kefir ice cream).