Live or Dehydrated Kefir Grains?
Not sure whether to choose live or dehydrated kefir grains? Here's the short version: they're the same grains. Dehydrated grains are simply live grains we've gently dried to order, so they sleep until you're ready. The right choice depends on when you want to start.
🌱 Which one suits you?
Choose live grains if…
- you want to start brewing as soon as they arrive
- you want your first proper kefir as quickly as possible
- you're ready to look after them every day or two
Choose dehydrated grains if…
- you're buying a gift, so there's no rush to start
- you're not ready to start yet, or you're going away soon
- you'd like a spare set as a backup for your live grains
⚖️ Side by side
| Live grains | Dehydrated grains | |
|---|---|---|
| Ready to brew | Straight away. Allow 3 to 5 small settling-in brews while they get used to their new home. | They need waking up first. This usually takes about a week, but can take 2 to 4 weeks in a cool kitchen. |
| When to start | Within a few days of arriving. Keep them in the fridge until then, and use by the best before date on the pack. | Whenever suits you. Stored somewhere cool and dry, they generally stay viable for around a year. |
| In the post | Packed in liquid to keep them happy. Kefir grains can survive up to 14 days in the post. | Dormant, so delays don't bother them at all. |
| The first few weeks | Fresh milk every 24 to 48 hours, or fresh sugar water every 24 to 48 hours for water kefir. | Milk grains: fresh milk every day until it thickens. Water grains: fresh sugar water every 48 hours, 3 times. Then brew as normal. |
| Once they're going | Exactly the same. Look after them and they'll keep growing and brewing for years. | |
| Dispatch | Packed fresh to order, within 1 to 7 working days. | Dehydrated fresh to order, within 1 to 7 working days. |
| Best for | Getting started now | Gifts, starting later, and backups |
💡 Tip: Lots of our brewers keep a packet of dehydrated grains in the cupboard as a backup. If anything ever goes wrong with your live grains, you won't have to start from scratch.
🛒 Shop kefir grains
Live grains
Live milk kefir grains from £14.25
Raw milk kefir grains from £14.25
Goat's milk kefir grains from £14.25
Live water kefir grains from £12.25
Dehydrated grains
Dehydrated milk or water kefir grains from £10.95
❓ Still deciding?
- Not sure whether you want milk or water kefir? See Milk or Water Kefir?
- Already have dehydrated grains? Here's how to wake them up.
- Got live grains? Our free Brew Buddy walks you through your first brew, step by step.
- Still not sure? Send us a message and we'll help you choose.