Can I Put Kefir In My Coffee?

Putting kefir in your hot coffee is not recommended as it tastes absolutely gross, as well as sinks to the bottom of your coffee. However, a water-based kefir makes your coffee taste a lot better, especially iced coffee. But don’t think kefir is a milk replacer, as kefir and milk have completely different textures and tastes from each other.

Experimenting with my coffee is one of those things that I enjoy doing, even though it can turn out very bad from time to time. This time I’ve experimented with kefir in my coffee for over a week now, so let me tell you all about it.

Let’s get started.

Can I Use Kefir In My Coffee?

After my experiment, you certainly could put kefir in your coffee, but you will have to make some changes.

First, kefir is not only thick and sour, but it’s also cold. When your coffee is piping hot and you add cold kefir, it will taste quite gross. As well as sinks to the bottom of the coffee which is not tasty at all, believe me.

The solution is to add a water-based kefir, there are plenty of them on the market, and will make your cup of joe a lot more enjoyable!

Another option is to put your water-based kefir in your iced coffee, I can personally say after trying this that it’s a lot more pleasant and works better than putting it in your hot coffee.

It’s important to note that you shouldn’t expect kefir to taste like milk as it has a taste that’s way off milk. Give it a chance but don’t expect it to replace milk.

As you’re reading this article, I can tell that you’re interested in playing around with mixtures in your coffee. For that, I have another article that tells you all about the different types of fruit syrups and juices that mix well together with coffee.

What is Kefir?

Kefir is a fermented milk that was discovered thousands of years ago, way before coffee (around the 15th century), and has a thinner texture than yogurt but with a more sour and tangy flavor.

Its popularity is increasing massively for its health benefits such as improved cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and blood sugar control. It’s great for your gut, so it’s no surprise that people are using it more often in their daily life.

Kefir is traditionally made from cow’s milk, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t other variations these days. The fermentation process works with sheep, goats, and buffalo milk. But if you’re trying to avoid dairy altogether then there’s water-based kefir, and this doesn’t only make it more drinkable, but also vegan!

Keep in mind that water-based kefir has different probiotics than milk kefir and doesn’t contain the protein that comes from the dairy in milk though.

Potential Risks of Consuming Kefir

For most people, kefir is completely safe, but for some, not so much.

When you first take probiotics, you may experience some digestive issues like bloating, increased gas, or diarrhea. But these symptoms usually go away after a few days as your body adjusts, so don’t panic when you try kefir for the first time.

Kefir milk is also much lower in lactose than other dairy products but very sensitive lactose intolerant people may still need to be careful how much they consume.

And last but not least, be aware that the kefir fermentation process produces a very small amount of alcohol. Kefir can contain between 0.5% and 2% alcohol, so be sure to check the label before you buy.

Is Kefir A Good Milk Substitute?

Kefir can be great as a milk substitute for milk, yogurt, or even buttermilk in recipes but at the end of the day it all comes down to your preference and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

We all like different things but if you like kefir’s taste then the health benefits are an extra cherry on top as well!

Can Kefir Be Heated Up?

In short, yes kefir can be heated up but not too much!

Kefir does not require heating, and most people enjoy their kefir cold or at room temperature, but that doesn’t mean that it’s not good.

Warm kefir can be extremely enjoyable but make sure that you don’t heat it much. When kefir gets too hot it will separate into curds like cottage cheese, and it may taste a bit more cheesy as well.

Besides that, when kefir is too hot, the temperature will kill any of the beneficial bacteria, so you’ll miss out on most of the health benefits that kefir has to offer. So, be sure to maintain a low temperature and keep an eye on it.

The Bottom Line

If you’ve always been curious about putting kefir in your coffee then here’s your answer.

I’ve experienced it for a few weeks now and I can say that water-based kefir can be quite nice in your coffee (especially iced coffee). But I can’t recommend regular kefir in your hot coffee, it will make your taste buds go upside down.

But then again, play around with it and see how it goes.

Happy caffeinating!