Best Store-Bought Kefir in Europe: The Ultimate Brand Guide (2026)
We all have those days. You want your daily dose of probiotics, but your homemade batch isn’t ready, or you are traveling abroad. Where can you find real kefir in a European supermarket?
While nothing beats the potency of homemade kefir (which contains up to 50+ strains of bacteria and yeast), there are decent alternatives if you know where to look. However, there is a big difference between “Kefir Mild”, “Freeze-Dried Starters”, and the real thing.
In this guide, we analyze the best Ready-to-Drink kefir Brands and Starter Powders across Europe, and see how they stack up against homemade grains.
1. The “Easy” Way: Supermarket Brands
We scanned the shelves from Helsinki to Madrid. Here is what you can find in the refrigerated aisle.
| Region | Supermarkets | Brands | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
  Benelux | Albert Heijn, Delhaize, Jumbo, BioPlanet | Arla, Melkan, Pur Natur, Raw Milk Company | ⭐⭐⭐ Arla is mild. Look for “Rauwe Kefir” (Raw) at EkoPlaza for top quality (but pricey!). |
  DACH | Rewe, Edeka, DM, Aldi | Müller, Andechser Natur, Kalinka | ⭐⭐⭐ Beware of “Kefir Mild”—it lacks yeast. Andechser is the best organic choice. |
  Nordics | K-Market, ICA, Coop | Valio, Arla, Gefleortens | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent variety. Also try Filmjölk (fermented milk). |
  East | Biedronka, Lidl, Kaufland | Robico, Krasnystaw, Vereya | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Kefir paradise. Robico (glass bottle) is very close to homemade. |
 France | Leclerc, Carrefour, Biocoop | Yorgos, Vrai, Candia | ⭐⭐ Often sold as “Lait Fermenté”. Vrai is a good organic option. |
2. The “Middle” Way: Freeze-Dried Kefir Starters
If you aren’t ready to care for live grains daily, Powdered Starters are a popular entry point. These are lab-grown bacteria strains.
Note: Unlike real grains which grow forever, powders eventually “die out.” You need to buy new sachets regularly.
| Brand | Origin | Price (Approx) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lactina (Traditional Starter) | Bulgaria | €5.50 (10 sachets) | Best Value. Requires warmth (35-40°C) like yogurt. Great if you have a yogurt maker. |
| Natali Bio (Ferment Kéfir) | France | €7.00 (2 doses) | Reliable. We used to stock this in our shop. Very clean, mild taste. Ferments at room temp. |
| A. Vogel (Bio-Force) | DACH | €12.50 (3 sachets) | Very Common. Found in most Reformhuizen. Consistent quality. |
| Yalacta | France | €8.90 (1 vial) | The Classic. Sold in pharmacies. Must be “reactivated” first. |
🧪 Temperature Warning: Lactina vs. Real Grains
Not all kefir is created equal. Take Lactina for example. It’s a great Bulgarian product, but it requires heating milk to 35-40°C (Thermophilic). This makes it technically closer to a “drinkable yogurt.”
Real Kefir Grains are Mesophilic. They ferment at Room Temperature (20-24°C). If you heat them to 40°C, they will die! This low-temperature fermentation is what preserves the diverse yeast strains responsible for that unique “fizzy” kick.
3. The Real Cost: Why Live Kefir Grains Win
Powders and store-bought bottles are convenient, but they are expensive in the long run. Here is the math for a daily drinker (1 Liter/week) over one year.
| Type | Store-Bought | Powders | Live Grains |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Cost | €0 | €10 / month | €19.95 (One time) |
| Cost per Year | €182.00+ | €120.00+ | €66.75* |
| Re-usable? | No (Plastic Waste) | A few times | Forever |
*Calculated as: Price of Milk (€0.90/L) × 52 weeks + One-time purchase of Grains (€19.95).
Ready to Brew the Real Thing?
Stop renting your bacteria. Own them. Get 100% reusable, organic grains delivered to your door.
