Date Paste for Non-Dairy Kefir
This is what I use to feed my cultures when I use them to make non-dairy kefir. Since non-dairy milk doesn't have any lactose in it, your culture needs something to eat to stay alive. 1 teaspoon of Date Paste is enough to sustain one quart of non-dairy kefir. This method also allows you to avoid having to refresh your kefir grains in regular dairy milk if you have problems or an aversion to dairy.
Servings: 1 cup
Ingredients
Date Paste
- 12 whole dates – pitted
- ½ cup Water spring or filtered with minerals – enough to cover the dates
Non-Dairy Kefir using Live Kefir Grains
- 2 tablespoons Live Kefir Grains
- 1 quart nut milk – Unsweetened. (Can be milk from coconuts, walnuts, almonds, sesame seeds, etc.)
- 1 teaspoon date paste
Non-Dairy Kefir using Easy Kefir powder packets
- 1 packet Easy Kefir
- 1 quart nut milk – Unsweetened. (Can be milk from coconuts, walnuts, almonds, sesame seeds, etc.)
- 1 teaspoon Date Paste
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Instructions
Date Paste
- Soak your dates in filtered water for a few hours or until soft.
- When the dates are soft, drain the dates and reserve the soaking liquid.
- Place the dates in a food processor or blender. Process the dates, adding the soaking liquid, 1 tablespoon at a time until the mixture is smooth, but still thick. This will require ¼ to ½ cup of soaking liquid depending on the type of dates, freshness of the dates, and the length of time they soaked.
- Place the paste into a jar with a secure lid and store in the fridge.
Non-Dairy Kefir using Live Kefir Grains
- Add 1 quart of unsweetened nut milk to a glass jar. (It can be coconut, walnut, almond, sesame seed, etc.)
- Add 1 teaspoon of Date Paste to the jar and mix with a spoon. Then add the kefir grains.
- Place a lid on it and let it ferment until tart and sour, 18-24 hours.
- Remove the grains by straining and place in fresh milk with another spoonful of date paste. Repeat to keep your grains alive.
Non-Dairy Kefir using Easy Kefir powder packets
- Add 1 quart of unsweetened nut milk to a glass jar. (It can be coconut, walnut, almond, sesame seed, etc.)
- Add 1 teaspoon of Date Paste to the jar.
- Mix in 1 packet Easy Kefir with a spoon or whisk or until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
- Place a lid on the jar and let it sit for 18 to 24 hours or until tart or sour tasting.
- Place kefir in the refrigerator or enjoy immediately. It should keep for at least a month although it will continue to get more sour and tart.
- If you would like to make more kefir, take ¼ cup of this mixture and 3¾ cups of fresh non-dairy milk, another teaspoon of date paste, and let it culture again for 18-24 hours or until tart. You can do this many, many times over or until it stops working and making the milk tart. Then you will need a new Easy Kefir package.
Storing your Kefir
- If you making your kefir using kefir grains, you can place your grains in the same amount of non-dairy milk you would use to make your kefir. Add the Date Paste and then place in your refrigerator. Refresh once a week with new milk and Date pPaste to give them something to eat and keep them alive. Remember that you need to do this at least once a week.
Notes
If the kefir still tastes sweet after 24 hours add less date paste so it will ferment faster.
