Hello my friends. You are probably reading this because you want to make a change. You are tired of your addiction to sugar, have noticed that as you age, your skin has become duller and just doesn’t have the same glow as it did a few years ago? Well, I felt the same way too.
A few years ago when I turned 30, brown spots appeared on my face at the top of my cheek bones. It freaked me out! I always had a clear, even skin tone. I barely wore makeup and only used a tinted moisturizer. I didn’t own foundation, primers or skin brightening creams. Want to know a secret? I still don’t use them.
You see, most of my late twenties I had a pretty healthy diet. I read many health books and followed their guidelines during the week. But when it came to weekends, it seemed that I would get amnesia and completely forget that…
- I had food sensitivities and
- hangovers suck.
Hey, I was still learning. In fact I have been known to occasionally get amnesia on the weekends in my 30s too, but those are far and few between now.
My late 20s, like most people, was a time of huge personal growth and challenges. I was starting to understand who I was and It was a time of many firsts. I was single for the first time in six years, lived in my very own apartment for the first time AND for the first time, my youthful skin from my teens and twenties was starting to fade away. Oh the horror! On the latter. The singleness and own apartment thing was a blast.
I was what you can call a “weekday health freak”. I made healthy choices on the weekday, but not on the weekend. So, I took a step back and looked at how my lifestyle was affecting my health. And no surprise, I was eating poorly and drinking too much on the weekends. Hey! I was single in San Diego and having a great time! But I had to change, because it was taking my body almost the entire week to recover from my weekends of sleep deprivation, bad eating and drinking.
But that all changed…cuz I am vain and want to keep my youthful looks into my 90s. Please, please, please!
First I went on a few juice cleanses, made sure I was getting enough sleep and started to add probiotic rich foods into my diet. One of the first (yep, another first) probiotic foods I added was Coconut Water Kefir. I read about it in Donna Gates’ book, “The Body Ecology Diet: Recovering Your Health and Rebuilding Your Immunity”. It changed my life.
According to Donna Gates, in the article, “Young Green Coconuts”, the benefits of Coconut Water Kefir are:
- Stops sugar cravings
- Aids in digestion of all foods
- It has a tonifying affect on the intestines, even flattening the abdomen
- It appears to cleanse the liver. In Chinese medicine the liver rules the skin, eyes, and joints. Coconut water kefir eases aches and joint pains. Many people report having a prettier complexion. They experience the brown liver spots on the skin fading away and skin tags, moles, or warts drying up and disappearing. Vision also improves
- It contains high levels of minerals, including potassium
- Increases energy and gives you an overall feeling of good health
Sold! I needed a liver cleansing tonic in my daily regimen in addition to eating healthier and sleeping more. The liver cleansing part was the most noticeable benefit for me. It wasn’t just drinking Coconut Water Kefir everyday, but also limiting alcohol consumption and eating lots of veggies. Im not sure how much time had past, but one day I looked in the mirror and noticed that the brown spots were fading and almost gone. They are completely gone now!
Coconut water kefir is a true health tonic and superfood that should be added to your diet if you want to cleanse your liver, improve digestion and stop sugar cravings. Which will lead to glowing skin and high energy levels. It did for me.
There are a few ways to make Coconut Water Kefir. Donna Gates’ recipe calls for a kefir starter, which is what I used the first time I made it. It can be preferable for people who are just starting out making cultured and fermented foods, because a powder seems to be less intimidating than kefir grains.
I make mine using water kefir grains, because they are reusable and you only have to buy them once in your lifetime if you take care of them. Both methods are highly effective and give the same result, so it’s your personal preference.
How To Make Coconut Water Kefir
- 4 cups of coconut water
- ¼ cup of water kefir grains or kefir starter
- Combine ingredients in a mason jar or other sealable jar and set on counter for 1-2 days.
- Check the coconut water kefir after 24 hours. If it tastes sour then it's ready. If it is still sweet, let sit out for another day.
- Place in fridge and drink cold.
- Add in a squeeze of lemon or juice to flavor it.
Have you ever had positive effects from changing your diet or eating a certain food? Leave a comment, because I would love to hear about it.
Resources and products I use:
“The Body Ecology Diet: Recovering Your Health and Rebuilding Your Immunity”.
Body Ecology, How to make coconut kefir
Some links on this page are affiliate links and they are all for companies that I support and buy from myself. If you decide to purchase any of these products through these links, I will earn a small commission and you will have my sincere thanks for supporting Fermented Food Lab.
How much do you need to drink a day to see results?
Hi Elsa, I would start with a small glass (1/2 cup) a day and work your way to a full glass a day to let your body get used to it. Since it’s full of probiotics some people experience a little discomfort because it has a detoxifying effect if they drink too much to start.
I have never heard of water kefir, and I am fascinated!! I love trying new things like this, so I think I will buy some and I will experiment, with coconut water and other things. Thanks for posting about this so I can find out about something new!
Btw, the word “kefir” means “buttermilk” in Russian. It’s the reason I clicked on the link – I was curious what water kefir was, since I assumed you weren’t writing about watery buttermilk :)
Hi Kate, I am so glad you stumbled upon the post! You will love the benefits of using the water kefir. Let me know how your “experiments” go. :)
Does canned coconut water work or do I need to buy coconuts?
Hi Kimberly,
You can use either a fresh coconut or canned. Most of the time I use organic from a carton or can to save time.
I saw your recipe for coconut kefir on Tasty Kitchen and decided to try it. I’m brand new, just now making my second batch, and I love it! I have a question, though: Would you lose any health benefits or nutrients if you used it in hot liquid? I was wondering about using it for cooking, as an additional use, besides putting in smoothies, drinks, etc. Thanks!
Hi Lisa, I am so glad you are enjoying the coconut water kefir :) One of the biggest benefits is the live probiotics and enzymes in it so if you cook it or heat it up, it will lose those benefits. Its best raw.
Are you just supposed to drink this straight? I saw that you suggested 1/2 cup a day.. how long til you move up to 1 cup? Thanks!
Hi Christine, I suggested 1/2 cup a day as a guideline. Since it is full of probiotics some people may experience some stomach discomfort if they drink too much to start. If you have no discomfort you can drink a cup a day or more. I do sometimes. I usually drink it plain, but if you don’t like the taste you can add a little juice.
Hi Danielle,
great article! I’ve been drinking store bought coconut kefir and love it. I also follow Donna Gates and I want to start making it! I’m having trouble finding raw young green coconut water. Is there another brand you could recommend? Also, do you think water kefir grains are as good as the starter?
Thanks!!!
Lisa
Hi Lisa,
Thank you! I have trouble finding raw coconuts as well and instead have been using organic coconut water. I use one that is not in the can, but in a box. The brand that is always available in my stores is Coco Libre Organic Coconut water.
As far as the kefir grains vs. starter they both have their benefits and advantages. The starter culture is easier to use, but you have to keep purchasing it which can be expensive over time. The water kefir grains will last as long as you take care of them.
The water kefir grains are more maintenance because they will need to be put in a sugar water solution probably every two batches of making coconut water kefir to keep them healthy. As far as I know they produce the same health benefits. I’ve made it with both and they tasted the same too. I think it comes down to personal preference. I got tired of buying the expensive starter so I switched to water kefir grains and I like making water kefir sodas with them too. You could always give it a try and switch back :)
Hi, was wondering if you could add any other flavors from fruits, instead of juice? Strawberry? Mango? If so, do you know how you would go about that? Thanks!!
Hi Sarah, instead of adding juice, you can add pureed fruit or just chopped up fruit to flavor it. I like to blend up strawberries and have used mango too and then added it to flavor. You can also chop up some fruit and infuse the flavors into the kefir. Cucumber and oranges are good, low sugar and refreshing.
I love the taste of water kefir and have been drinking it for about a month. But instead of getting clearer skin, my chin is breaking out more. I reduced my kefir intake to a sip a day but my skin is still breaking out. Any thoughts on how to make this better? Thanks!
Hi Zee, It’s possible that drinking the coconut kefir is having a cleansing effect on your body and you may be experiencing a Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction. This article has good information about it and tips on how to manage it. http://bodyecology.com/articles/8-ways-to-manage-symptoms-of-candida-die-off
Hi Danielle,
I’m excited to start making my kefir. My question is, as it is sitting on the counter
should I cover or not cover the jar?
Hi Natalee, Cover the jar with a cloth secured with a rubber band or a loose fitting lid.
So what do I do with the kefir solids? I’m guessing pour it through a cheese cloth or leave them in the jar?
Strain them out and use them to start a new batch.
were do you get your coconut water?
From my local grocery store.
Hi Danielle, if I add in mango puree or some fresh or even dried berries into coconut kefir base. Do I need to further ferment before I drink it? Is this even better for the gut?
Yes, it will make it more fizzy and more probiotic if you let it ferment for a day with the mango puree or fruit.
Add the fruit puree after you ferment the coconut water with the kefir grains. Strain the grains out and then add your fruit puree to the coconut water kefir. Let it sit out on the counter in a sealed jar or bottle for 1 day.
It is normal to have some floating water kefir grains floating in my coconut water and many tiny bubbles too. I found it after abt 12 hours later leaving on my counter top with a cotton cloth. I am living in high humidity hot country. Daily 35 degree. Hope it don’t failed me!
Danielle, I’m getting ready to order the water kefir grains. I’m making the coconut water kefir to help with my candida issues. I understand you keep using the grains over and over again, but if I decide to take a break from making it – how do I keep the grains alive WITHOUT using sugar? Is that possible? I just don’t want to defeat the purpose behind me making the kefir to begin with. I’m new to this so thanks for your help.
Check out jillian mai thi on FB. Fermented cabbage protocol.
I found it. Thanks so much!!!!
Ha, damn San Diego! I am having a hell of time pulling back from all the drinking here myself…
Fermented cabbage juice protocol by Jillian Mai Thi has saved my summer, and possibly my life. Now I’m really into fermenting. Thanks for the great recipes and the good help.
Coconut water has quite a few carbs and I’m on a Keto way of eating. Do you think this coconut kefir water would have less carbs?
The sugar gets consumed by the bacteria, so it will have less sugar in it, which would reduce the total carbs. I don’t have the nutrition facts on this, but You can look up pre-made coconut kefir drinks to see how much carbs are in those to give an idea.
hi, I watched an ABC show last night called Catalyst on this. A poor girl had dreadful Irritable Bowel syndrome and couldn’t keep any food in. (diarrhea) A nutritionist worked with her – She added more lentils and whole foods etc(fibre), stopped eating onions and garlic and added water kefir- Her gut health improved almost immediately-she lost weight and kept hold of her food! Her mood also lifted and she was much happier.
My question is- if I have been using my kefir with milk to make a delicious yoghurt drink, can I now use these same grains to make kefir with coconut water?
That’s incredible! Thanks for sharing. Yes, you can use the same grains, but you’ll have to switch them back to milk every other batch or so to keep them healthy.
Hey I’m just starting to get into coconut water kefir like most people in this comment section.
My question is-on the Body Ecology website on a page for the recipe for coconut water kefir, it is shown that the coconut water (once extracted from the coconuts) gets heated to 92 degrees F. On stove top, is this a necessary step? Or is it because the coconut water came from live coconuts and wasn’t store bought? The coconut water I’m using comes in a glass container and is store bought.
Also as well if you live in a particularly dry place will the beverage be particularly difficult to ferment and create beneficial yeasts?
It also said on the B.E. website that when ferementing the room should be between 70-75 degrees F? I cannot always guarantee that so I thought I would put mine in the oven and leave the oven light on the stabilize the temp? However, will the light disrupt the fermentation process?
Also, as well no website with coconut water kefir directions speaks explicitly about what to do with the grains after you’re done making the kefir? How to store them etc.?
Also, is it necessary to do a second fermentation if all you care about is the coconut water being fermented?
I know that was quite a few questions, but no where can I find many places online that are able to answer these questions. Thanks in advance!
1. Only heat the coconut water kefir when using a powdered kefir starter. That helps activate the starter. Since you’re using water kefir grains, don’t heat the water.
2. No, you shouldn’t have a problem fermenting in a dry place.
3. No, the light won’t disrupt the fermentation process. It doesn’t have to ferment at exactly those temps either. A ballpark is good. It just needs to be warm enough so the bacteria become active. Too cold and it will take longer to ferment.
4. When you’re done making the coconut water kefir, you can use the grains to make another batch. Otherwise you can store them in sugar water in the refrigerator until you’re ready to make more. The ratio is 1/4 cup of sugar to 4 cups of water for the sugar water.
5. No, it’s not necessary to do a second fermentation.
I hope this helps! good luck :)
Hello Danielle… I’m a bit confused. From what I read, there’s different strains of water kefir grains like D’uva/grape, Coconut, Tibicos, etc. Do I need to buy coconut kefir grains to make coconut kefir or D’uva/grape kefir grains to make grape kefir? Or can I just buy regular water kefir grains to make these? Are these various strains of water kefir grains originally made from regular water kefir grains and if so, which product are original water kefir grains made from? Thanks.
No, you can use regular water kefir grains to make coconut water kefir. Original water kefir grains are most likely made from water kefir :)
Thanks! The coconut water I purchased was only slightly sweet. I tried an experiment. I made two- 1 quart jars of coconut water kefir, however I added two tablespoons of organic sugar to one of them. See what happens.
Hi, I ordered the water kefir grains on Amazon at the link above. I wasn’t sure if they come with any instructions and whether they should be placed in sugar water prior to being used in this recipe?
Follow the directions that come with them and then use them to ferment the coconut water.
Thanks! I’m on to the coconut water fermentation now. Fingers crossed.
Does sugar have to be added to the grains to make kefir water? I notice that your recipe above does not call for sugar. It seems that every other website I’ve been on says that sugar is required. I have a packet of kefir grains from Rocky Mountain Kefir and their recipe asks for sugar. Thank you for your time it is greatly appreciated :-)