What’s the difference between milk kefir and water kefir?

Here at Chuckling Goat we’re big fans of all things kefir – but not all kefirs are equal! Whether you’re new to the world of fermentation or just curious about the differences between milk kefir and water kefir, we’re here to break it down.

Milk kefir contains more than twice the number of beneficial bacterial strains compared to water kefir. Both are packed with gut-loving probiotics, but they’re made differently, taste differently, and act differently when it comes to your health. And if you know us, we’re not here for mild improvements – we’re here for massive transformations. Let’s dive in –

What is milk kefir?

Milk kefir is a traditional fermented milk drink made with live cultures known as kefir grains (little colonies of beneficial bacteria and yeast). When added to milk, these grains ferment the milk into a creamy, tangy, naturally fizzy, probiotic drink.

We make our award-winning kefir with pure goat’s milk, which is left to ferment for a minimum of 36 hours for maximum probiotic strength.

Here are just a few benefits of milk kefir:

Many of these powerful effects haven’t been well established in water kefir – clinical research is limited, and valid long-term studies are lacking. That’s why we don’t view milk kefir as just a gentle maintenance drink; we see it as a clinical-grade, therapeutic tool, capable of helping you make serious progress with your health.

What is water kefir?

Water kefir is a light, dairy-free drink made by fermenting sugar water, fruit juice, or coconut water with water kefir grains. The grains feed on the sugar, producing a mild, slightly sweet, naturally carbonated drink that contains some probiotics – just not as many as milk kefir. While water kefir is naturally dairy-free and refreshing, it tends to be sweeter than milk kefir. It may retain more sugars after fermentation, especially when compared to milk kefir – something to consider if you’re watching your sugar intake. Some of its benefits include:

Naturally dairy-free and vegan
Mild in flavour, light consistency and refreshing
Usually contains 10-15 strains (fewer than milk kefir).⁸⁹

Which one should I choose?

Water kefir is a great option if you’re avoiding dairy, following a vegan diet, or simply looking for a light, refreshing probiotic. It offers a gentle dose of beneficial bacteria in a fizzy, mildly sweet drink.

But if you’re after something more profound and transformative, milk kefir is your best bet. Rich, potent, and packed with over 30 strains of beneficial bacteria, it’s a traditional probiotic powerhouse designed to nourish your gut, support your skin, and strengthen your immune system.¹⁰¹¹

At Chuckling Goat, milk kefir is the heart of everything we do. It’s what we drink (and love!) here on the farm, and it’s the foundation of our gut health protocol. Thousands of customers have seen dramatic, life-changing improvements in skin, digestion, energy and mood – don’t just take our word for it – check out our Trustpilot reviews on our Chuckling Goat homepage to see the results for yourself here.

To learn more about milk kefir, check out these articles here.

Any questions? Contact one of our Nutritional Therapists via live chat, weekdays from 8 am to 8 pm.

What’s the difference between milk kefir and water kefir?

What is milk kefir?

What is water kefir?

Which one should I choose?

References

Questions? Talk to a Nutritional Therapist on live chat!

More from The Gut Health Express

As Featured In