We have previously talked about the benefits of kefir, the king of drinkable probiotics. Today we list three types of kefir or probiotic drinks:
Milk kefir
Milk kefir is not yogurt: Although it is creamy like yogurt and has a similar taste and smell, yogurt is made from milk fermentation while kefir is a result of lacto-alcoholic fermentation with a different combination of bacteria and yeasts added. Also, kefir is more liquid in and is usually drunk as if it were milk, and contains even more probiotics than yogurt: about 30 different microorganisms.
Water kefir
Water kefir and milk kefir contain the same microflora, only the carrier is different. Milk kefir is more popular, perhaps because its texture and taste are more similar to yogurt. On the other hand, water kefir offers more properties and is easier to keep, as the best milk kefir requires raw milk, which is quite difficult to find nowadays. It also benefits people who are lactose intolerant. Unlike its dairy cousin, water kefir can be consumed in much more quantity (1 to 3 liters a day). Its granules are almost transparent, loose, and of a caramel color.
Kombucha
Kombucha is a kind of sweetened tea (it can also refer to a herbal tea) which is made by fermenting a colony of microorganisms called "kombucha colony".
It has become very popular due to the health properties that it allegedly provides.
It should be noted that great care must be taken in the preparation of the kombucha, as it can be contaminated with mold and be hazardous to health. So store-bought kombucha may be safer than a homemade one. It's a fantastic alternative to fizzy drinks, providing the taste we all love but without the extra calories.