Kefir is a tangy, lightly fizzy drink made by fermenting milk with kefir grains. In Urdu the name is written کیفیر, and you can think of it as a thin, drinkable cousin of yogurt.
What are kefir grains?
Kefir grains are soft, rubbery lumps that hold a large mix of bacteria and yeasts. They are called grains only because they look a little like grains. Put them in milk and they ferment it, which makes the milk thicker and tangier. Strain them out afterwards and they can be used again, batch after batch.
Where does kefir come from?
Kefir was most likely developed, perhaps by accident, centuries ago by people living in the Caucasus Mountains. Today it is made in homes and dairies around the world.
Milk kefir and water kefir
- Milk kefir is thick, creamy and tangy, and is made with milk.
- Water kefir is light and fizzy, and is made with sugar water. It has no dairy.
The two use different grains, so keep them apart. See Kefir Grains for both.
How is it different from yogurt?
Kefir is thinner than yogurt, ferments at room temperature, and its grains hold a much wider mix of microbes than a yogurt starter. We explain more in Kefir, yogurt, dahi and lassi.
What does it taste like?
Tangy and a little sour, creamy when made with milk, and slightly fizzy when it has fermented well. Most people find the first glass sharper than yogurt. A small glass is the best way to start.
Is kefir available in Pakistan?
Yes. KefirBuy sends live kefir grains by courier to every city in Pakistan, and fresh kefir yogurt is delivered in Peshawar. You pay cash on delivery.
How do I start?
- Choose milk or water kefir grains.
- Follow our step-by-step guide: How to make milk kefir at home.
- Start with a small glass and see how you feel.
Good to know: milk kefir is a dairy food. Kefir is food, not medicine. For advice about your own health, ask your doctor.
اردو میں
کیفیر دودھ سے بنا ہوا ایک کھٹا، ہلکا سا جھاگ دار خمیر شدہ مشروب ہے۔ اسے کیفیر گرینز کی مدد سے تیار کیا جاتا ہے، جو بیکٹیریا اور خمیر (ییسٹ) کے نرم، ربڑ جیسے مجموعے ہوتے ہیں۔ دودھ میں گرینز ڈال کر تقریباً ایک دن چھوڑ دیں، پھر چھان لیں اور گرینز کو دوبارہ نئے دودھ میں ڈال دیں۔ واٹر کیفیر چینی والے پانی سے بنتا ہے اور اس میں دودھ نہیں ہوتا۔ کیفیر ایک غذا ہے، دوا نہیں۔ اپنی صحت کے بارے میں مشورے کے لیے اپنے ڈاکٹر سے پوچھیں۔
Sources: Cultures for Health, Introduction to milk kefir, opened 9 October 2026. Written by KefirBuy.