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How to make probiotic rich water kefir with cocnout water
  • Health

Coconut Water Kefir Recipe

Katie WellsApr 21, 2015Updated: Mar 21, 2020
Reading Time: 4 min

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Wellness Mama » Blog » Health » Coconut Water Kefir Recipe

Water kefir is the easiest way that I’ve found to make sure that my children get enough probiotics. It is a naturally fizzy and mildly sweet drink that is created when the grains (not actual grains, but a symbiotic colony of yeast and bacteria) interact with the natural sugars in the water to create probiotics and enzymes.

The finished water kefir can be flavored in a secondary ferment with juice, ginger root, fruit, or other natural substances and this step creates natural carbonation (and a similarity to soda).

Water kefir can also be brewed with coconut water which is naturally high in electrolytes, enzymes, and nutrients. This is brewed exactly like water kefir, though the sugar can be reduced to 25% because coconut water is naturally sweet.

My friend Hannah of Kombucha Kamp shares her favorite coconut water kefir recipe and answers some frequently asked questions… Enter Hannah:

How to make probiotic rich water kefir with cocnout water

Coconut Water Kefir Recipe

Katie Wells
Delicious water kefir made with coconut water for additional electrolytes and nutrients.
4.82 from 11 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 mins
Total Time 1 d 5 mins
Course Drinks
Servings 4 cups
Calories 48 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • ¼ cup sugar  optional
  • 4 cups coconut water
  • ¼ cup water kefir grains (hyrated)

Instructions
 

  • Add the sugar to a half gallon glass jar, if using.
  • Add the coconut water to the jar.
  • Stir thoroughly to dissolve the sugar.
  • Add the hydrated kefir grains to the sweetened coconut water.
  • Cover the jar with a plastic lid, cloth cover secured with a rubber band, or fermentation cap.
  • Let sit in a warm place (70-78°F) for 24-48 hours to ferment. 
  • If the sugar is omitted, taste it after 24 hours. If using the sugar, allow for 48 hours. It should taste like tangy coconut water.
  • Strain out the kefir grains with a cheesecloth or non-metal strainer. The grains can be used to immediately start another batch of water or coconut water kefir.
  • Once the grains are removed, you may add flavors for a second fermentation or drink plain. See notes for a link to flavor options and instructions for a second ferment.
  • Store the finished product in the refrigerator and enjoy chilled!

Notes

White sugar and organic evaporated cane juice crystals are the best choices with the coconut water.
You can use frozen coconut water or coconut water from tetrapaks (cartons). 
Check out this post for details about flavoring water kefir in a second ferment. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 48kcalCarbohydrates: 16gSodium: 48mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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Coconut Water Kefir FAQs:

Is this different than regular water kefir?

Coconut water kefir is a simple adaptation of water kefir – instead of water, we use coconut water along with a reduced amount of sugar to make a bubbly, hydrating, digestion boosting beverage. Some prefer to omit all of the sugar, and those drinking coconut water kefir for a candida cleanse should leave it out, but we recommend using 25% sugar for the best flavor.

Can you still flavor it?

Yes! Coconut water kefir has a delicious natural tang that many people enjoy on its own. Of course, any number of fruits, herbs, and spices may also be added for additional benefit and to create unique flavors. Try a little lemon and ginger or maybe a few cut up strawberries to start, then let your imagination run wild from there!

Does fermentation affect the nutrients in the coconut water?

Coconut water is incredibly nutritious — here is a short list of some of what it provides:

  • electrolytes – replenish the body
  • cytokinins – phytohormones that promote healthy cell functioning (anti-aging, anti-carcinogenic)
  • amino acids – building blocks
  • enzymes – help with digestion and metabolism
  • mineral rich – calcium, iron, manganese, magnesium, potassium, and zinc
  • B-vitamins – essential and in a living form

Fermentation applies healthy bacteria and yeast to the substrate (in this case coconut water) and acts like the first step in the digestion process by breaking down all of these elements into an easier to absorb form making them bioavailable.

Nutrition in a living form often takes a different shape (chemical structure) than its chemicalized form (found in supplements, added to food, or in pill form). So when the body receives nutrition in the shape that it has evolved to recognize, uptake of that nutrition happens seamlessly.

Chemicalized nutrition may not have the exact same chemical structure which means it may have to be used differently or it may not be absorbed at all depending on how the body “interprets” the shape. (This is also one of the reasons why consuming GMO’s is also so harmful; the body doesn’t recognize the GMO and creates an autoimmune response to it thinking its an invader — which of course, it is.)

Fermentation is the ultimate enhancer. It makes nutrition easier to absorb thus aiding the body in repair and maintenance at all levels.

Do you have to use pure coconut water since it is more expensive?

Coconut water kefir may seem like a luxury due to the high cost or limited availability of coconuts in any particular region. For those who need the additional nutrition, it can be well worth the expense and far less costly than other supplements or pharmaceutical treatments. Coconut water also comes in many different forms including frozen, in tetrapaks, or fresh. We have taste tested and found that fresh coconut water tastes best fresh and frozen or tetrapak coconut water tastes better as kefir.

Those wanting the benefit on a budget may dilute coconut water by half to stretch it longer. If that is the case, then use 50% of the sugar called for in the recipe. The good thing is that the kefir grains, once they get going, will continue to perpetuate themselves indefinitely.

IMPORTANT TIP – Resting the grains

Coconut water kefir, while delicious, does not provide the appropriate environment for kefir grains to reproduce. In order to keep the grains going, we recommend resting them every few batches in sugar water. If you notice that the grains are receding or change shape (less crystalline), that is a sign that they need to be rested.

Do you drink water kefir? What’s your favorite flavor?

Category: Health

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About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a wife and mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

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Reader Interactions

Discussion (71 Comments)

  1. Jeanne Merkel

    April 26, 2015 at 10:32 PM

    How long does the kefir keep in the refrigerator once the fermentation is done?

    Reply
    • Katie - Wellness Mama

      May 6, 2015 at 10:57 PM

      I’ve never tested it past a couple weeks, as my family drinks it too quickly!

      Reply
  2. Kalena

    April 26, 2015 at 1:51 PM

    Hi Katie,

    Thanks for sharing this recipe! In step 7 you state:

    “Coconut water kefir is like tangy coconut water. If the sugar is omitted, taste it after 24 hours. If using the ¼ cup of sugar. If you prefer a tangier brew, the water kefir may be 2F to yield a deeper flavor. Once the grains are removed, you may add flavors for a second fermentation or drink straight”.

    What do you mean by ” the water kefir may be 2F to yield a deeper flavor”? Would you please clarify this?

    Thank you!

    Reply
  3. Monique

    April 26, 2015 at 1:05 PM

    How do you do a second fermentation? Thanks!

    Reply
  4. Janna B

    April 26, 2015 at 11:27 AM

    How many probiotics would you say is in this recipe?

    Reply
  5. Debbie

    April 25, 2015 at 7:09 PM

    I’d love to try this, but I have a few questions. In step #7 of the recipe, it states, “If using the ¼ cup of sugar.” Something seems missing here. There is an “if” statement, but no “then” statement. The next sentence states, “If you prefer a tangier brew, the water kefir may be 2F to yield a deeper flavor.” I don’t understand what “2F” means. Finally, the directions say, “Once the grains are removed…,” but it doesn’t say how to remove them. What do you do with the grains? How do you keep the? What is meant by “resting” the grains? To add flavors, do you add whole fruit, juice, or something else? And, what is a second fermentation? Do you just recover the jar and let it sit for another 24-48 hours? Would this be without the WT grains this second time? Does it sit at room temp or refrigerated? I guess that’s more than a few questions….sorry. Thanks for any clarification you can provide.

    Reply
    • anita

      September 16, 2016 at 4:28 PM

      you don’t need a then after an if statement. if the sugar is omitted, taste it after 24 hours. you don’t need the then before taste. it’s implied.
      “1. Add 1?4 cup of sugar to the jar, if using.” Just reverse this in your head: If using the 1/4 cup of sugar, then add it to the jar. It just means you don’t necessarily have to add the sugar if you don’t want to.

      7. you remove the grains in step 7. after they are removed you can add flavours and do a second ferment.

      Reply
  6. Jocelyn Manley

    April 24, 2015 at 12:27 PM

    Can I get the Coconut Water Kefir at a health food store locally? Is it safe for little ones?

    Reply
    • Wellness Mama

      April 24, 2015 at 6:26 PM

      I have not seen it in stores, but you could look for it near you. And I let my kids drink mine… they really enjoy it!

      Reply
    • Luis

      July 21, 2015 at 11:12 AM

      Yes you can buy coconut water kefir at whole foods or other organic a groceries. The brand is called KeVita, they have many awesome flavor a but mine is the coconut & lemon ginger

      Reply
      • lisa

        December 14, 2015 at 4:26 PM

        It’s a bummer they have other additives in there. I almost bought one today but wasn’t fond of the added ingredients like “natural coconut flavor” and stevia. I wish they would make a plain one and we could add our own flavoring. I’m just going to have to make my own 🙂

        Reply
      • Christine

        January 30, 2016 at 6:03 PM

        Kevita is not made with coconut water.

        Reply
  7. Danielle

    April 21, 2015 at 11:11 PM

    I have been wanting to try this for so long. The only issue I have is the sugar. I want to make it without it. Is there any further info on not using it? She said to taste after 24hrs. We love coconut water and my kids want to make coconut soda, they do not like regular soda. Thank you for all your help :).

    Reply
    • Katie - Wellness Mama

      April 23, 2015 at 10:23 PM

      The sugar is needed for the formation of the probiotics and enzymes but is mostly fermented out

      Reply
      • Liz

        December 15, 2015 at 10:12 AM

        I have a question kind of unrelated, will adding DE to any probiotic drink alter health benefits or kill the bacteria?

        Reply
        • Wellness Mama

          December 15, 2015 at 4:39 PM

          It might… I’d keep them separate

          Reply
      • Jack

        July 16, 2016 at 12:24 AM

        For the second fermentation how long do I let the fruit stay in the coconut kefir water?

        Reply
  8. Blanca

    April 21, 2015 at 1:31 PM

    Hi katty, what exactly water kefir taste. I am making my own, but I am not sure if I making right. I did a second fermentation, but it is not carbonated.

    Reply
    • Terry

      May 30, 2015 at 2:45 PM

      I’m having the same problem. No carbonation.

      Reply
    • Layla

      September 11, 2016 at 8:34 AM

      When second fermenting, you have to make the environment anaerobic so you need an oxygen proof jar

      Reply
  9. Erik

    April 21, 2015 at 11:40 AM

    Does coconut sugar or maple work with these or does it need to be a white sugar?

    Reply
    • elisabeth

      September 17, 2015 at 9:04 AM

      NOOOOOO! Coconut sugar makes the water end up smelling like vomit!

      Reply
  10. Lindsey

    April 21, 2015 at 11:06 AM

    Is the sugar necessary? White sugar is highly refined and not good for the body in many articles I have read. Organic does eliminate GMOs, but it is still processed.

    Thanks so much.

    Reply
    • Rhonda

      May 3, 2015 at 5:39 PM

      The Kefir is sensitive and require a specific environment to live in; unfortunately, the more ingredients in the sugar, the harder it is for the Kefir to live.
      https://www.culturesforhealth.com/learn/water-kefir/water-kefir-frequently-asked-questions-faq/

      “Choosing a Sugar for Making Water Kefir

      When choosing a sugar for making water kefir, always read the label. Some sugars may contain anit-caking additives or other ingredients that could affect the health of the water kefir grains. Look for plain sugar with no added ingredients, for best results.” – from https://www.culturesforhealth.com/learn/water-kefir/water-kefir-ingredients/

      Reply
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