FAQs
Your Questions About Kefir Answered
How Do I Incorporate Kefir into My Diet?
The simplest way is to drink Kerry Kefir straight from the bottle, but there are lots of other ways to enjoy it.
You can use it in:
- Smoothies – use kefir as part of your liquid base.
- Dips and sauces – mix with herbs and spices.
- Breakfast bowls – add it to granola, fruit or overnight oats.
- Frozen treats – combine with fruit for homemade ice pops or frozen desserts.
- Marinades – its natural acidity works well in marinades.
- Baking – use it in recipes that call for buttermilk or yoghurt.
Looking for inspiration? Browse our recipe section.
How Much Kefir to Drink?
If you’re new to traditional Kefir, we recommend starting with a small amount (100ml) and adjust based on how you feel. Taking small amounts of Kerry Kefir daily is far better than taking large amounts irregularly.
Our Recommended Daily servings are:
Adults and teenagers: 100-150mls
Under 12: 50mls
Under 2: 1-2 tablespoons
(I don’t recommend drinking more than 250mls a day)
When Is The Best Time to Drink Kefir?
There’s no single “best” time to drink Kerry Kefir.
I take it first thing in the morning on an empty stomach, as I feel it sets me up for the day. While you can drink kefir anytime, many prefer having it on an empty stomach in the morning or before bed.
You can enjoy yours whenever it fits most easily into your routine, with breakfast, during the day or in the evening.
The most important thing is finding a routine that works for you.
Is it safe to drink kefir every day?
Kerry Kefir can be enjoyed as part of your regular diet.
If you’re new to traditionally fermented kefir, you may prefer to begin with a smaller serving and increase it gradually according to your own preference.
Can I give Kefir to my kids?
Kerry Kefir is a fermented milk product and can be incorporated into a child’s diet where dairy is suitable for them.
As with any food, take account of your child’s age, dietary needs and allergies. If you have questions about introducing fermented foods to a baby or young child, speak to an appropriate healthcare professional.
It’s a brilliant idea to introduce kids to fermented foods early in life.
Can Kefir Milk Be Heated?
Yes. Kerry Kefir can be used in cooking and baking as well as enjoyed cold.
Heating will change the live microorganisms naturally present in fermented kefir, so if you want to enjoy it in the same form it leaves our dairy, use it cold or add it after cooking where the recipe allows.
For baking, it can work particularly well anywhere you might normally use buttermilk or yoghurt.
Why has my Kerry Kefir become thick or separated?
Kerry Kefir is a traditionally fermented product, so its texture can naturally change over time.
You might notice it becoming thicker or separating into thicker curds and a more watery layer. This can happen as fermentation continues and doesn’t necessarily mean there is anything wrong with your kefir.
Give the bottle a gentle turn upside down before pouring to bring it back together.
Avoid shaking it vigorously. Naturally occurring gases can build up in the bottle during fermentation, particularly if the kefir gets warm, which can make opening it a little lively, what we affectionately call the “Champagne of Dairy” effect.
My kefir has become very fizzy. Is that normal?
Kerry Kefir continues to ferment in the bottle, which means gases can naturally build up.
Keep it refrigerated and open the bottle slowly and carefully, particularly if it has been out of the fridge or feels particularly lively.
Opening and using each bottle on alternating days can also allow some of those fermentation gases to escape rather than leaving one bottle unopened for a long period.
Does Kefir go off?
Kerry Kefir continues to ferment over time, so you may notice it becoming thicker, fizzier or stronger in flavour as it gets older, technically it doesn’t “go off”.
Always store your kefir refrigerated and refer to the Best Before date and storage instructions on the bottle. It is usually safe to drink even up to a week after the Best Before date.
However, if the bottle has been stored incorrectly, the packaging is damaged, or you have any concerns about its appearance, smell or condition, please contact us before consuming it.
Why does Kerry Kefir sometimes taste different from one bottle to another?
Kerry Kefir is traditionally fermented in small batches using kefir grains.
Because fermentation is a natural process, you may notice small variations in flavour, texture or fizz from one batch to another. Temperature and the continued fermentation that takes place in the bottle can also affect how your kefir develops.
Those natural variations are part of a traditionally fermented product.
How should I store Kerry Kefir?
Keep Kerry Kefir refrigerated once you receive your delivery.
As it is a fermented product, it can continue to develop in the bottle, so keeping it chilled helps manage the rate of fermentation.
Open bottles carefully, particularly if they have been allowed to warm up, and return them to the fridge after pouring.
For more detailed advice, see our Kefir Care Guide
Can I return my packaging?
Yes. We can reuse suitable Kerry Kefir packaging that comes back to us clean and in good condition.
We ask customers to wait until they have packaging from at least two orders before arranging a return. You can return your clean glass bottles, gel ice packs and clean, undamaged TempGuard™ paper liners.
Please don’t return TempGuard™ liners that are wet, stained, torn or otherwise damaged.
See our full Packaging & Returns instructions
If returning your packaging isn’t practical, you can dispose of it according to the instructions on our Packaging & Returns page.
We’d particularly appreciate having suitable glass bottles and gel ice packs returned where possible, as these can be reused.
Whether you’re a seasoned kefir lover or a curious newbie, there’s always more to discover and enjoy in the bubbly world of kefir – check out our Kefir Recipes for some inspiration.