Flower of Kefir

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Flower of Kefir
« on: January 29, 2009, 05:32:50 PM » by Whiterock

There's a layer of white stuff on top of my kefir. Both jars. So how can I tell if I have Flower of Kefir or just mold?

I've read that Flower of Kefir makes a wonderful sourdough starter. I've never made bread in my life (besides biscuits Grin

), so how can I "preserve" the flower of kefir (if that's what I have) 'til I can get someone to guide me thru (get over my fear of) making sourdough?

Or what else can I use the Flower of Kefir for instead of sourdough?

Thanks!
WR

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Re: Flower of Kefir
« Reply #1 on: January 29, 2009, 07:31:54 PM » by HappyWifey

I get flower of kefir nearly every time I make kefir, I think it's because I use raw milk. The two times i have had real mold on my kefir it was blue or gray/black. My flower of kefir has always been white, sometimes slightly pinkish. Usually the same color of the milk.

I have never tried to keep my flower of kefir, but I would assume you could skim it off, put it in another jar with some more milk and leave it like the kefir to keep it growing, or in the fridge to preserve it.

Sourdough bread is really easy, just a bit messy if you make too much starter. I have a very easy recipe to try if you would like.

HTH,
Laura

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Re: Flower of Kefir
« Reply #2 on: January 30, 2009, 03:56:38 PM » by Whiterock

Quote from: LePetitFarmGirlinAK on January 29, 2009, 07:31:54 PM

Sourdough bread is really easy, just a bit messy if you make too much starter. I have a very easy recipe to try if you would like.

HTH,
Laura

Yes, please send me the recipe. I am going to try and make sourdough with the FoK. I borrowed a book on making sourdough and brainstormed with a friend about how to sub the FoK for the powdered starter in her favorite recipe. So we'll see how all this turns out. LOL!

WR

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Re: Flower of Kefir
« Reply #3 on: January 30, 2009, 10:13:23 PM » by HappyWifey

Definately let me know. (I think I should learn how to spell definately, my spell checker doesn't know how to spell it either! Cheesy

) For this recipe I think I would use half the yeast and half the FoK just to make sure....

Sourdough Starter
3 and 1/2 C flour,
1 T sugar,
1 Heaping T yeast (or 1 package)
2 C warm water

Combine all ingredients except water in a bowl. Gradually add in water, beat until smooth. Cover with a cheesecloth or a light kitchen towel and let it stand for 7 days. (I had to stir it every day, otherwise it formed a crust on the top)

Replenish dough after using some by adding 1 and 1/2 C flour, 1 C warm water. Mix well and let it set in a warm place for 8 hours.

Sourdough Waffle and Pancake recipe
The night before add 1 C flour and 1 C water to starter. In the morning stir and take out 1 C.

To that add 1 egg, 2 T sugar, 2 T oil, 1 t soda.

To douple the recipe double all ingredients except soda.

I also have bread and biscuits recipes for the sourdough

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Re: Flower of Kefir
« Reply #4 on: January 31, 2009, 03:53:21 PM » by BettaGurl3

Quote

Definately let me know. (I think I should learn how to spell definately, my spell checker doesn't know how to spell it either! )

Same here!! I have no idea why my spellchecker says that's how it's spelled! Huh

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Re: Flower of Kefir
« Reply #5 on: January 31, 2009, 04:34:25 PM » by boysmama

Definitely! Wink

I have not used flower of kefir to make a kefir sourdough, but I have made kefir sourdough. http://www.welltellme.com/discuss/index.php/topic,3019.msg202303.html#msg202303 I found that a 2-3 day kefir made a stronger natural yeast than an older, more sour batch. Guessing that it has to do with the decreasing amounts of "food" and increasing acidity actually killing off and weakening the natural yeasts in the kefir.
I don't have milk right now so no kefir going to look at. Cheesy

I've always used raw (goat) milk and can't ever remember seeing this. Is it common?

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Re: Flower of Kefir
« Reply #6 on: February 01, 2009, 12:31:44 AM » by HappyWifey

I only got it once until I started using raw cows milk, now I get it nearly every day even when I only let it sit for 24 hours.

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Re: Flower of Kefir
« Reply #7 on: February 01, 2009, 05:39:04 PM » by Whiterock

I've always used raw cows milk and I never got it until the last time I put my grains in some milk and put them in the fridge to slow-feed (so I wouldn't have to worry about them for a while). I've done this before without any problems, but never for this long. When I went to check on them the other day, there was this layer of white stuff on top. I thought I had killed them 'til I checked on Dom's kefir site and found out that it's probably Flower of Kefir. He says it usually happens when the Kefir stored for longer than usual and not agitated like it should be.

Here's the section on Flowers of Kefir at his site....
http://users.sa.chariot.net.au/~dna/kefir-faq.html#mycoderma

WR

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Re: Flower of Kefir
« Reply #8 on: May 17, 2009, 10:28:18 PM » by cushsb

Hi Whiterock,

that is most likely the flower of kefir and nothing really to worry about. Just remember to agitate it once in a while the next time around. Wink

it happened to me once when i left my kefir in the fridge for the longest time, caught me by surprise really. but ever since haven't had the same problem. Cheesy

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-cushsb
"Your food shall be your medicine" - Hippocrates
lovin' kefir from kefir grains

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