Homemade Kefir Making Benefits
7 Reasons Why Homemade Kefir is Better than Store-Bought
Is it really worth the effort to make your own kefir? We compare homemade versus commercial kefir on cost, health benefits, taste, and sustainability. The winner might surprise you.
The Truth About Commercial Kefir
Kefir has exploded in popularity, and you can now find it in almost every supermarket. It seems convenient, but is it the real deal?
Store-bought kefir is often produced specifically for a mild taste and a long shelf life. To achieve this, it is often pasteurized (killing the beneficial bacteria) or made with laboratory-selected bacterial strains that are far less diverse than a traditional culture.
Authentic homemade kefir, made with live grains, contains between **40 and 60 different strains** of bacteria and yeasts. Commercial kefir often contains only about **10 strains**. Additionally, commercial products may contain added sugars, thickeners, or preservatives.
By making it yourself, you have 100% control. Let’s look at the 7 biggest advantages.
1
It saves you a lot of money
A small bottle of commercial kefir can easily cost €2 to €4. If you drink a pint a day, that adds up to over €20 per week.
When you make it yourself, your only ongoing cost is milk. A liter of milk costs around €1. That’s a fraction of the price for double the amount! The one-time investment in kefir grains often pays for itself within the first week.
2
It is much more potent (richer in probiotics)
As mentioned, homemade kefir contains a much wider diversity of bacterial strains and yeasts. Because it is fresh and alive (and not pasteurized for shelf life), the number of live colony-forming units (CFUs) is significantly higher. It’s a true functional food for your gut.
3
It’s a lifetime supply
Unlike supermarket kefir, which you have to keep buying, or powdered starters that stop working after a few batches, real kefir grains grow. If you take good care of them, they will last a lifetime and multiply, so you can even share them with friends.
4
You create significantly less plastic waste
If you drink kefir daily, you are throwing away several plastic bottles a week. By brewing at home in reusable glass jars, you drastically reduce your plastic footprint. It’s a simple switch for a more sustainable lifestyle.
5
No worries about BPA or chemicals
By fermenting in your own glass jars, you avoid the risk of chemicals like BPA or phthalates leaching from plastic bottles into your acidic drink, especially during long-term storage.
6
Options for lactose intolerance & vegans
With homemade kefir, you choose the ingredients. While traditional milk kefir grains love dairy, they can also ferment coconut milk or other non-dairy alternatives (with a little extra care). Or you can opt for water kefir, which is naturally completely dairy-free.
7
The taste is superior (and customizable)
Homemade kefir is always fresh. It often has a richer, creamier texture and a pleasant, natural effervescence (fizz) that commercial versions lack. Plus, you control the fermentation time to determine exactly how sour or mild you like it.
Ready to make the switch?
Stop overpaying for inferior supermarket kefir. Start brewing your own powerful, probiotic-rich kefir at home today. It’s easier than you think!
Get Genuine, Live Milk Kefir Grains:
- ✅ Generous portion of active, organic grains.
- ✅ Guaranteed to grow with proper care.
- ✅ Free shipping options available in Europe.
