# Making Kefir

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-kefir/836662>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [July 7, 2019, 10:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-kefir/836662 "2019-07-07T10:39:47Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![molten](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ec9cab/32.png) [@molten](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/molten)\
**Post date:** [July 7, 2019, 10:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-kefir/836662/1 "2019-07-07T10:39:47Z")

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Can I use the store bought kefir, add to milk and hope to get a new copy w/ the same bacteria?

Why would I need the grains? which are best (russian / ukrainian copy)?

What is the process of making and what do I need?

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**Author:** ![Ksenia\_Reinyuk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Ksenia\_Reinyuk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ksenia_Reinyuk)\
**Post date:** [July 7, 2019, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-kefir/836662/2 "2019-07-07T20:46:20Z")

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Hey. Repeatedly tried to make kefir injecting store into it. It always happens in different ways, when it turns out and when it doesn’t, it all depends on the manufacturer. It is easier to buy a leaven, and the method always works with it from the banks. If you have any questions, welcome to private messages. Good luck …

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**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\
**Post date:** [July 7, 2019, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-kefir/836662/3 "2019-07-07T22:34:51Z")

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Let’s move this over to Cafe Society.

Colibri  
General Questions Moderator

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**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\
**Post date:** [July 7, 2019, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-kefir/836662/4 "2019-07-07T23:03:11Z")

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According to the Internet, it’s a hit or miss proposition. It sounds like the key factor is freshness and low pasteurization. But, minus the grains, you’ll probably end up having a failure every few goes and need to buy a new bottle of commercial kefir:

> **[Can You Make Kefir From Prepared Kefir? - Cultures For Health](https://culturesforhealth.com/blogs/learn/milk-kefir-make-kefir-from-prepared-kefir)**
>
> Reluctant to maintain milk kefir grains? Wondering "can I just use prepared (store-bought) kefir to make homemade milk kefir"? We have the answer for you!