Kefir: My New Obsession

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Okay, today I’m sorta coming out of left field compared to what I usually do.  Namely, it’s because I have writing ADD and sometimes it’s just hard to come up with unique content on a daily basis.  Additionally, I wanted to challenge myself, and see if I could squeeze in a Jack Bauer joke somehow (keep reading, it’s coming). But most of all, I just wanted to quickly share with everyone my latest discovery:  kefir.

About two weeks ago, I was chatting with one of our clients at the facility, Roman.  I don’t know how we got on the topic, but we started discussing popular foods people use to try to put on weight.  Being from Russia, Roman immediately suggested kefir, which piqued my interest because I had never heard of it before.

Tony:  ka-fear, you said?

Roman:  No, no, no.  KEE-fur.

Tony:  Ohhhhh, you mean Kiefer.  As in Kiefer Sutherland.  As in Jack Bauer, the barrel chested freedom fighter from the show 24.

You ever watch it?

Roman:  No, not really.

Tony: Well, just so you know, Jack Bauer played Russian Roulette with a fully loaded gun……and won.

Roman:  Seriously, I don’t care.

Tony:  Or how about this:  1.5 billion Russians are angry with Jack Bauer.  Sounds like a fair fight.

Hahahahahahahaa.  Get it?  It’s like a play on all those Chuck Norris jokes people say, but using Jack Bauer instead.

[crickets chirping]

Roman (in an Ivan Drago voice):  I must break you.

 

Okay, that’s not quite how the conversation went, but needless to say, that was an awesome Jack Bauer reference!  And, I even threw in a Rocky IV reference, too!

So, what the heck is kefir anyways?  Essentially it’s fermented cow, goat, or sheep’s milk that’s been inoculated with kefir grains.  The grains themselves are a combination of bacteria and yeasts that form a complex and HIGHLY variable community that, when placed in milk and left for a day (or two), yields a slightly sour, carbonated beverage that resembles liquid yogurt.

Except here, instead of maybe one or two dominant strans of gut healthy bacteria that you’d normally find in a container of Greek yogurt, kefir has upwards of 10+ strains.  Plus, due to the fermentation process, much of the lactose is gone, so those who suffer from lactose intolerance may be able to use kefir without the nasty gas issues.

Luckily for me, there’s a legit Russian store right around the corner from my apartment, so I’ve been walking in and trying out different brands.  But, for those who don’t have access to a Russian store, you can easily find kefir in most mainstream stores like Trader Joe’s or Stop-n-Shop as well.

I’m not hardcore enough to drink it straight up – although it’s not THAT bad.  Rather, I’ve simply been adding it to my protein shakes throughout the day, which provides a nice creamy thickness to them.

Seriously, try it.  And, if you know of any other ways to use kefir, I’d be interested to hear about them below!

Did what you just read make your day? Ruin it? Either way, you should share it with your friends and/or comment below.

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Comments for This Entry

  • Barath

    Variants of this is present in many cultures, I think. The phrase "liquid yoguyrt" that you used is quite apt. In South India (where I come from), people churn yogurt with water, and add summer spices to it and let it stay in the fridge for a while. It is particularly great when its hot outside. Recently, here in Ottawa, I tasted the middle-eastern version of it. Quite similar.

    August 23, 2011 at 7:04 am | Reply to this comment

  • Niel

    Little bit more info on it here: http://askgeorgie.com/?p=386 I've tried it straight and wasn't a fan. Mixing in some splenda or something makes it better.

    August 23, 2011 at 9:37 am | Reply to this comment

  • R Smith

    Tony, I'm glad you were brave enough to try it. I'll do the same. Seen it quite a bit but never had the urge to give it a go. Until now. RS

    August 23, 2011 at 10:16 am | Reply to this comment

  • Dan

    Really, you've got a Russian client named Roman....and there just so happens to be a Russian store around the corner from you??? Tell us what it's it really like to live in Tony G land. Please?

    August 23, 2011 at 10:40 am | Reply to this comment

  • Martin

    I love Kefir. Before, I used to drink a whole carton at a time (1 litre). It's in my opinion one of the best drinks beside water, and it tastes absolutely fantastic with chocolate protein powder. I think I'm gonna go back to it now, switch out the yoghurt with it.

    August 23, 2011 at 2:18 pm | Reply to this comment

  • Steve

    I have been sick a ton lately (that's why I didn't show up to train Saturday). The doctor actually just prescribed kefir because he said with my high stress life my gut health sucks and it's allowing all these bad infections to take over ... couldn't you have told me this earlier !!

    August 23, 2011 at 2:21 pm | Reply to this comment

  • Stephane Robert

    Whenever I'm eating really clean, Kefir is the "desert" that keeps me sane! If you put a bit of stevia into it, it tastes similar to Yop (the yogurt drink you might have been lucky enough to have as a kid).

    August 23, 2011 at 2:54 pm | Reply to this comment

  • Tyler Simmons

    Tony, I wrote about kefir and other fermented foods here. Good stuff! http://evolutionaryhealthsystems.blogspot.com/2011/02/get-over-fear-of-bacteria-fermentation.html

    August 23, 2011 at 4:57 pm | Reply to this comment

  • Tony Gentilcore

    @ Barath: thanks for the heads up! Someone else emailed me this comment after they saw yours: And your commenter is thinking of Ayran -- a yogurt-water-salt mixture that is probably exactly what your body needs in a hot weather environment but is not exactly to everyone's taste.

    August 23, 2011 at 5:46 pm | Reply to this comment

  • Tony Gentilcore

    @ Niel: I've converses a few times with Georgie via email. Very cool girl! @ Ronell: The force be with you! It's not that bad, trust me. @ Dan: And when I say "legit Russian store around the corner of my apt," I mean a LEGIT store. I wouldn't be surprised if there are two year olds in there drinking vodka.

    August 23, 2011 at 5:48 pm | Reply to this comment

  • Tony Gentilcore

    @ Martin: Well, I'm not up to one container a day yet, but it's definitely going to start being a staple in my fridge! @ Steve: hahahahaha. I was wondering where you were this past Saturday. Hope you're well. @ Stephane: Well, if or when I ever diet down again, I'll definitely give that a try! @ Tyler: thanks for the link.

    August 23, 2011 at 5:51 pm | Reply to this comment

  • Sergei

    Hey, "not hardcore enough to drink it straight up"?! Even children here in Russia drink it raw no problem! :-) Well, in fact a teaspoon of sugar per 0.25l serving was usual in my childhood. One of my foreign friends mixes it with mineral water 1:1.

    August 24, 2011 at 10:58 am | Reply to this comment

  • Nick Efthimiou

    Interesting how traditional diets (as has been mentioned, there are various incarnations of the fermented dairy products in many cultures) covered things that only recently nutritional scientists are beginning to preach to the public.

    August 24, 2011 at 4:47 pm | Reply to this comment

  • Darcy

    Hi Tony- You might be interested in something called 'kefir cheese;' I came across it at Whole Foods and I use it as a sour cream substitute. I've also since found it at my local Asian market (somewhat odd as I think the origin of kefir cheese is Lebanese?). Anyhow...deliciousness!

    August 29, 2011 at 12:40 pm | Reply to this comment

  • Goi

    Where I am it's hard to find greek yogurt, and kefir doesn't even exist. I've seen ready made and DIY "greek styled yogurts", but their carb content seems to be just as high as the regular ones. Are these worth getting then?

    September 1, 2011 at 6:52 pm | Reply to this comment

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