Water Kefir is a centuries-old fermented beverage made by combining filtered water with fruits, a small amount of sugar with water kefir grains.

The “grains” consist of bacteria and yeast existing in a symbiotic relationship and look like jelly crystals.

The term “kefir grains” describes the look of the culture only. Water kefir grains contain no actual “grains” such as wheat, or rye.

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Try our Original Water Kefir

The kefir grains are left to ferment in water with organic lemon, ginger and a small amount of organic sugar for 48 hours.

The gut microbiota is the collection of microorganisms that live in our gut, where they help us in many ways.

The microbiota plays an important role in digestion, weight management, blood regulation, and the immune system. No wonder it is called the “second brain”!

The microbiota is a complex research topic, but there is increasing evidence that eating fermented foods is beneficial to our health.

Indeed, studies have shown that some of the yeast and bacteria found in water kefir may colonise our gut and have a positive effect on our microbiota.

Water kefir is full of probiotics digestive enzymes, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. These probiotics are immune-boosting, anti-pathogenic and make your gut healthier :)

We had our 75cl bottle water kefir tested by Huddersfield University.

In an independent study conducted by Huddersfield University, it was found that there are three dominant-live and active bacteria within Agua De Madre. L. suionicum, L. mesenteroides and L. pseudomesenteroides.

They work to boost the survival of other beneficial bacteria inside your gut.

Read the research summary

The 33cl bottles and the cans are made from the same delicious recipe. It is vegan, sparkling water kefir, packed with billions of live cultures but gently pasteurised and with the addition of Organic Bacillus Subtilis, an organic probiotic that survives in your gut and in the bottles. The new recipe allows you to store the bottles outside the fridge and offers a longer shelf life of up to 12 months. 

More information on the Organic Bacillus Subtilis can be found here and here. 

As with all live cultured and fermented foods, a small amount of naturally occurring alcohol is a lucky bi-product of the ferment. Our Madres are under 0.5% ABV which is legally 'alcohol free'. 

Yes! As it is gently pasteurised but we recommend to chill it before you drink it. 

We are Soil Association Certified Organic

While similar in concept (a fermented beverage made from a bacterial culture) and process, they are completely different cultures and therefore contain different strains of probiotics and different digestive enzymes. Kombucha is a fermented tea and is often caffeinated, water kefir has no caffeine.  Kombucha is slightly higher in digestive enzymes and water kefir is higher in probiotics.  While both fermented drinks are great digestive aids, they each contain different levels of acids and bacteria.  Kombucha is much more acidic than water kefir.

The taste is quite different also; kombucha has a slightly sweet, tart zing to it and depending on the brewing time can range from having a mild taste to having a strong-vinegar-like taste while water kefir has a mild, more mainstream natural soda flavour.

Water kefir is perfect for people who are sensitive to caffeine, or for those who wish to reduce their consumption.

You can see the sugar levels of the cans and bottles on their respective product pages. Here for cans, here for 33cl and here for 75cl. 

As they are gently pasteurised you can keep the cans and 33cl bottles outside of the fridge, we do recommend you drink them chilled. The 75cl celebration bottles should be kept in the fridge. 

Water kefir has a sweeter taste compared with milk kefir which is tart and strong flavoured. Water kefir is also dairy-free, making it a perfect choice for those who want to avoid dairy or are vegan. 

Water kefir is a lighter drink, making it easier to drink in larger quantities especially during warm weather for hydration. Both have similar numbers of live lactobaccillus cultures just different strains.

For more detail, read our blog post on the difference between water kefir and dairy kefir Water Kefir vs Dairy Kefir.

Fermented products such as water kefir are considered functional foods because they offer enzymes, pre-digested nutrients, amino acids, vitamins, minerals and billions of probiotics.

Probiotic pill supplements contain just one or a select variety of bacteria - typically that is all they contain.

It’s always better to consume something in its whole form when possible as it contains all the parts needed to assimilate nutrients correctly.

Some diabetics have no problem as the bacteria and yeast produce enzymes that break down the sucrose (the double sugar that sugar is composed of) into fructose and glucose. Fructose is digested by the liver and does not spike the blood sugar in diabetics like sucrose or glucose. Because of the fructose, it makes this drink a lower GL. Also, the added acetic acids and carbonation from the fermentation process lower the GL.

Note: We advise that diabetics check with their doctor before consuming water kefir.

We would not encourage children under 12 to drink it because of the trace alcohol, although it can be diluted.

A 250ml glass a day is a great start, then slowly work up as your gut adjusts to the bacteria. As a replacement for a supplement, even this small amount contains billions of probiotics, the perfect amount for a daily dose.