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–+ servings

Hibiscus water kefir

Prep Time 10 minutes
Second fermentation 1 day
Total Time 1 day 10 minutes
Servings 4 servings
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Ingredients

  • 1000 ml plain water kefir Use fresh, unflavoured water kefir: ready-made, or homemade with the grains strained out.
  • 1 tbsp dried hibiscus Use food-grade dried roselle for tea or cooking.
  • 1 lime Juice only; also sold in Taiwan as seedless lemon.
  • 2 tsp honey

You will need

  • Swing-top bottles rated for carbonation, free of cracks or chips
  • Glass jug and spoon
  • Funnel and fine-mesh strainer

Instructions

  • Clean and sanitize the bottles, lids, jug, spoon, funnel and strainer, following the instructions for the equipment and food-contact sanitizer.
  • Squeeze the lime juice into the glass jug.
  • Add the honey and water kefir to the lime juice and stir until the honey dissolves.
  • Add the dried hibiscus to the pressure-rated bottles, dividing it evenly if using more than one bottle.
  • Pour the mixture into the bottles, leaving about 3 cm between the liquid and each bottle opening, then close the lids. If there is more liquid, use another bottle; do not fill to the brim.
  • Place the bottles out of direct sunlight at 20–25°C (68–77°F) for about 24 hours of second fermentation. Check for bubbles as described in the next step, since each batch ferments at a different pace. In a warm room above 25°C (77°F), as in a Taiwanese summer, check after 6 hours; it may be ready in 12.
  • Every 8 hours, slowly open each lid over the sink to check for bubbles and release pressure, then close it again. At the first hiss or visible fizz, refrigerate the bottle immediately; do not wait for 24 hours.
  • Refrigerate the bottles until the drink is cold throughout.
  • Slowly open the chilled bottles over the sink, then pour through a fine-mesh strainer into glasses to remove the hibiscus.
    • The final chilling time is not included in the total time.

Storage and safety

Keep the finished drink refrigerated at 4°C (40°F) or below. Cold slows fermentation but does not stop it, so pressure can still build up during storage. Do not shake sealed bottles. The drink can contain alcohol. Because it contains honey, do not give it to babies under 1 year.