Where to Buy Kefir Grains: The Ultimate Guide

Published 14th March 2022 · Updated 11th December 2025

Ready to start brewing your own probiotic superfood? The most critical step is choosing the right starter culture. We explain the crucial difference between fresh living grains versus dried powders, and where to find the best quality in Europe.

What Are You Actually Buying?

Kefir grains are not something you can just pick up at the local supermarket. They are living, symbiotic cultures of bacteria and yeast that look like small, gelatinous cauliflower florets. Finding a reliable source can be confusing because they are rarely sold in physical stores.

Before you buy, you must understand the most important distinction: Fresh Living Grains vs. Dried/Powdered Starters.

The Crucial Choice: Fresh vs. Dried

🥦 Fresh, Living Grains (Highly Recommended)

These are active cultures taken directly from milk or water. They are fully “awake” and teeming with life.

✅ Pros: Start brewing immediately. Highest probiotic potency. They grow and multiply with every batch, providing a lifetime supply.
❌ Cons: Short shelf-life. Must be shipped quickly and placed in a nutrient solution upon arrival.

📦 Dried Grains or Powdered Starter

These are cultures that have been dehydrated or freeze-dried into a powder to make them shelf-stable.

✅ Pros: Long shelf life. Easy to store and ship globally.
❌ Cons: Must be “reactivated,” which takes time and often fails. Most importantly, powdered starters usually do not create new grains and die off after a few batches, requiring you to keep buying more.

For authentic, lifetime kefir, always choose fresh living grains.

Where to Find Quality Fresh Grains in Europe?

Because fresh grains are alive and perishable, you need to buy them from a specialized supplier that knows how to package and ship them correctly.

Our Recommended Source: KefirShop.eu

We recommend KefirShop.eu as the premier source for certified organic, living fermentation cultures in Europe.

Why we choose them:

✅ Guaranteed Fresh: Shipped active in a nutrient solution, not dried.
✅ Ready to Use: Your first batch will be ready within 24-48 hours of arrival.
✅ Certified Quality: Lab-tested cultures from organic sources.
✅ Secure Packaging: Vacuum-sealed and well-packed for safe transit.
✅ Affordable Shipping: Fast and reasonably priced shipping across Europe.

🛒 Browse Fresh Kefir Cultures

Frequently Asked Questions About Buying Grains

Do the grains survive shipping?

Yes. Specialized suppliers like KefirShop.eu ship fresh grains in a nutrient-rich liquid (like fresh milk for milk kefir grains) inside a sealed food-safe bag. This keeps them fed and happy during transit for several days. They may arrive smelling very yeasty or sour due to natural fermentation in the bag, which is normal and a sign they are alive.

How much do I need to start?

A standard portion of about 1 tablespoon (10-15g) of fresh grains is perfect to start making about 500ml (2 cups) of kefir daily. As you care for them, they will grow and multiply, allowing you to make larger batches later.

What if I’m not ready to start immediately?

If you cannot start brewing the day they arrive, you can place the unopened bag in the fridge for a day or two. However, fresh grains should be put into fresh milk or sugar water as soon as possible. If you need to wait longer, you might consider dried grains, but be aware of the downsides mentioned above.

Where can I get water kefir grains?

Just like milk kefir, water kefir requires specific grains. You can buy fresh Water Kefir Grains from the same specialized suppliers.