Kefir is a fermented milk drink that is believed to have originated in Russia and Eastern Europe. Rich in nutrients and probiotics, it is beneficial for digestion and gut health.
Kefir has similarities to yogurt, however there are differences in the way that they are fermented. Yogurt is made by the bacterial fermentation of milk and is made at a warm temperature using a starter culture. Whereas, kefir is produced via a process of fermentation at room temperature, using kefir grains. Kefir grains contain a combination of multiple strains of bacteria and yeast.
As awareness of gut health and the consumption of probiotics has increased, kefir has been spreading beyond it’s Eastern roots, to Western Europe and the United States. I recently discovered a UK-based kefir company called Bio-tiful Dairy that was set up by a Russian ex-pat looking for a taste of home.
Bio-tiful Dairy was established when their founder Natasha Bowes moved to London from her native Russia, and couldn’t find a kefir that tasted like the kind that she grew up with. As well as creating a traditional kefir drink, the company has also created a range of flavoured kefirs, and a unique baked kefir drink called ryazhenka.
I spoke to Natasha about the story of Bio-tiful Dairy. You can hear the interview by clicking on the play button below.
Food For Thought 