Fermentation Starters & Tools

Fermented foods have become popular again and find their way into many kitchens in New Zealand. Brimming with probiotics, nutrients and flavour, we can understand why. With the right tools and a helping hand we want to get you started on your journey of better health, nutrition and well-being. We offer a range of fermentation equipment from jars to airlocks and wooden pounders as well as hands-on and online workshops.

Active filters

Fermentation Pack

1 Review(s)
Price $69.90
Availability: 84 In Stock

We have put together this pack for anyone wanting in making delicious ferments at home, but unsure where to start and how to go about it.


The KoruKai Herb Farm "Lacto-Fermentation" eBooklet (table of contents below, comes via email) will guide you along step by step to make your own probiotic lactic-ferments at home. It has recently been updated and contains 7 more recipes.

Additional Fermentation Jars with airlock and weight can be purchased here.

Fermentation Jar

6 Review(s)
Price $26.90
Availability: 597 In Stock

Fermentation jar with airlock and glass weight.

One thing that should be in just about everyone's diet are fermented or cultured foods. Not only are they packed with flavor, but they're positively brimming with probiotics.

Those little microorganisms support your immune system and help to revive and maintain gut health. Fermented foods are also rich in B vitamins, food enzymes and key antioxidants that support healthy cells.

Fermenting Weight

1 Review(s)
Price $8.90
Availability: 800 In Stock

This glass fermentation weight is just what you need to make ferments successfully at home.
Place it over your shredded vegetables and fit a fermenting airlock on the jar.
They are also great to make homemade apple cider vinegar.

Diameter is 70mm, depth 25mm
Weight: 170g +/- 10g

The weight fits most wide mouth preserving jars. Always measure the top diameter of the jars before placing an order. Make sure that the diameter does not get narrower further down.

This weight fits our 1 litre Glass Jar with stainless steel compound lid.


One weight is $8.50

Fermenting Airlock

Price $5.90
Availability: 597 In Stock

Diameter: 8.4cm

This silicone airlock is perfect for keeping lacto-fermented pickles and drinks under an airlock during fermentation. As pressure builds up gas pushes out the top of the spout without letting air in.

They are suited for mason jars and are secured with a stainless steel ring (ring not included). This airlock fits our 1 litre Glass Jar with stainless steel compound lid.

1 airlock WITHOUT ring is $5.90.

For airlocks with ring please see here.

Fermenting Airlock with ring

Price $8.90
Availability: 64 In Stock

This silicone fermentation airlock and stainless steel band is perfect for keeping lacto-fermented pickles and drinks under an airlock during fermentation and storage. As pressure builds up gas pushes out the top of the spout without letting air in.

Diameter of airlock is 8.4cm

One airlock with ring is $8.90

For airlocks without ring please go here.

Fermentation Pounder

Price $29.50
Availability: 249 In Stock

We have made a great amount of ferments over the years at KoruKai Herb Farm and used a fair bit of pounders. We know what makes a pounder fabulous.
This one is made to our measurements and is well-designed for pounding vegetables and tightly packing them into jars or crocks for best fermentation.

The wood is untreated beech.

Measurements: length 30cm, top diameter 4cm, bottom diameter 6.1cm. Easy and comfortable grip with a tapering of 3.5cm diameter.

Please note: Measurements can vary slightly as each one is handmade and unique.

Lacto-Fermentation eGuide

Price $19.90
Availability: 84 In Stock

Lacto-Fermentation - Making Sauerkraut, Kimchi and delicious Pickles loaded with Probiotics for Gut Health


We have been fermenting vegetables ever since we started a vegetable garden well over 10 years ago and we love the support that they give to our gut microbes to keep us healthy.
At some stage throughout the seasons, you may also find yourself with too much cabbages, carrots and beetroots and would like to turn them into healthy, vibrant and delicious ferments.
This is a newly updated version containing 7 more recipes as well as pickling - the traditional way.

This eGuide contains 45 pages of detailed instructions and recipes (please find the table of contents below).

This is an ebook and will be available as a pdf to download once your order is placed.

Fermentation, Microbiome and Gut Health...

9 Review(s)
Price $149.00
Availability: 7 In Stock

This is an informative workshop for anyone interested in healthy food. No cooking skills are required. You will walk away with some easy recipes that you can implement in your own kitchen using basic equipment.

Date: Sunday, 21st July 2024
Time: 10am-2:30pm
Location: KoruKai Herb Farm, Pigeon Bay, Banks Peninsula
1 hour from Halswell, Carpooling from Chch is usually possible.


Wholesome lunch included!


Please find Terms & Conditions as well as our cancellation policy here. When signing up for this workshop you automatically agree to the Terms & Conditions. Please make sure to read them.

ONLINE CLASS: Fermentation,...
  • Out-of-Stock

ONLINE CLASS: Fermentation, Microbiome and Gut...

2 Review(s)
Price $0.00
Availability: Out of stock

UNAVAILABLE AT THE MOMENT AS WE ARE REWORKING ITS CONTENT. Sign up below to get an email once it is available again.

We are excited to bring our very popular fermentation workshop to your home!

Classes consist of videos, online lectures, step-by-step instructions, recipes and tips and tricks. We will also answer all your questions and help you along the way. You can join anytime and watch the content at your own pace. You get 6 months to view the contents and ask questions in the forum.

DIY Apple Cider Vinegar Kit

1 Review(s)
Price $26.90
Availability: 6 In Stock

We have put together this kit for anyone wanting to make their own apple cider vinegar.


Apple cider vinegar is easy and satisfying to make at home and the health benefits are numerous.

A lot of cider vinegar in the supermarkets are pasteurised and filtered. This removed the microbiome of the vinegar and you won't get the maximum health benefits from it.

Water Kefir Kit

2 Review(s)
Price $59.90
Availability: 10 In Stock

NOW also containing 100g of water kefir food.


We have put together this kit for anyone wanting in making delicious water kefir at home.

The KoruKai Herb Farm "Water Kefir eGuide" will be sent via email once you have placed your order. Please look for an email with the subject line: [KoruKai Herb Farm] Files available for your order. It will guide you along step by step to make your own probiotic, healthy, fizzy water kefir sodas at home.

You can get an additional glass jar here.

Water Kefir Grains

36 Review(s)
Price $19.90
Availability: 9 In Stock

We only use certified organic food and filtered spring water to grow our grains!

Make your own fizzy, probiotic drink to benefit your digestive tract.

Perpetual culture, use over and over again. 

3 Tbsp of fresh or 1 Tbsp dried organic water kefir grains (choose below) to make 1 litre of fizzy, probiotic drink every 48 hours.

Come with our comprehensive guide and recipes for lots of inspiration.

We recommend our Water Kefir Complete Food to feed the grains optimally.

Shipment of fresh water kefir grains every Monday (or Tuesday if Monday is a public holiday). Orders and payments need to be in by 4pm Saturday to get shipped the following Monday.

Water Kefir Complete Food

3 Review(s)
Price $6.50
Availability: 10 In Stock

Certified organic water kefir food containing sugar, molasses and micronutrients to feed your water kefir grains optimally. This pack contains the food for water kefir grains only, you need to have your own grains or buy them from us.

This way they stay healthy and produce a better probiotic fizzy drink for you and your family.


Available in 100g, 500g and 1kg bulk pack in a home-compostable, biodegradable pouch.


Containing only certified organic ingredients so that your water kefir grains can thrive (do not come with the grains). Without any roundup or other agricultural chemical residues, which could have a negative effect on the microbes in the water kefir.

Water Kefir eGuide

3 Review(s)
Price $9.90
Availability: 126 In Stock

Newly updated guide with more recipes and tips. A fresh FAQ section has also been added.

This guide covers all the basics that you need to know to create probiotic, healthy, fizzy water kefir sodas.
It includes instructions how to make the frist and the second ferment and includes recipes and flavour combinations.

You will get the guide as downloadable pdf so make sure you enter the correct email address when placing your order. Please look for an email with the subject line: [KoruKai Herb Farm] Files available for your order

Last update: 22nd June 2022

Vegan Yoghurt Culture

Price $12.90
Availability: 3 In Stock

Make your own fresh dairy-free yoghurt from your choice of plant milk. 
Just add your favourite nut or seed milk and follow the recipes provided.

Makes: 5 x 1-litre batches of yoghurt

Probiotic Dairy Yoghurt Culture

Price $14.90
Availability: 4 In Stock

Make your own fresh probiotic yoghurt from your choice of milk.

Makes: 10 x 1-litre batches of probiotic yoghurt

This culture is best if you make yoghurt infrequently. If you are eating yoghurt on most days, then go for our perpetual probiotic yoghurt starter, which can be used over and over again when cultured once a week.

Fermentation Flask
  • Out-of-Stock

Fermentation Flask / Yoghurt Maker

2 Review(s)
Price $69.90
Availability: Out of stock

This item is out of stock. It will come back in stock end of December/early January. Sign up below to get an email once it is available again.


This Fermenting Flask from Culture Cupboard is perfect to keep your kefir at a steady temperature without the nightly lows in winter and the mid day highs in summer.
It is also amazing to make your own yoghurt without the need for an electric yoghurt maker.
The flask comes with a glass jar and a recipe book to make your own dairy and dairy-free yoghurts.

DIY Vegan Yoghurt Pack
  • Pack
  • Out-of-Stock

DIY Vegan Yoghurt Pack

Price $92.90
Availability: Out of stock

With this pack you are sorted to make your own, high quality probiotic plant-based yoghurt at home.

All you need to add is the milk of your choice.

Kitchen Thermometer

Price $15.90
Availability: 18 In Stock
Stainless Steel Thermometer for kefir, yoghurt and cheese making

13.5 cm long with clip

This thermometer is an accurate way to ensure you are heating your milk up to the right temperature. It has saved the life of kefir grains more than once and is essential for probiotic yoghurt making.

This thermometer has a clip to attach the thermometer to a pot or jar.

Milk Kefir Grains

25 Review(s)
Price $19.90
Availability: 14 In Stock

Billions of probiotics per tablespoon for gut health.

1 portion of organic milk kefir grains to culture 1 cup of milk every 24 hours, which can increase to 1 litre within 2 weeks. Available in hydrated and dehydrated form (please select below).

Shipment NZ wide to urban and rural addresses as well as PO Boxes.

Shipment of fresh milk kefir grains every Monday (or Tuesday if Monday is a public holiday). Orders and payments need to be in by 4pm Saturday to get shipped the following Monday.

We have a set amount of grains per week and are generally out of stock by the end of each week. If this product is out of stock it will be back in stock on Saturday evening, so you can order for the following week.

Milk Kefir eGuide

2 Review(s)
Price $9.90
Availability: 98 In Stock

This guide covers all the basics that you need to know to create probiotic, healthy milk kefir using milk kefir grains. We have well over 10 years of experience and know how to get milk kefir grains to thrive so you can also have them for a lifetime.

If purchasing our KoruKai Milk Kefir Grains this eGuide is included with your purchase.


You will get the eGuide as downloadable pdf so make sure you enter the correct email address when placing your order.

Last update: 12th March 2024

Milk Kefir Kit

Price $51.90
Availability: 18 In Stock

Billions of probiotics per tablespoon for gut health.

1 portion of active organic milk kefir grains to culture 1 cup of milk in 24 hours, which can increase to 1 litre within 2 weeks.


This kit contains all the basic equipment that you need to make probiotic milk kefir at home. Instructions are sent via email.
An additional glass jar for keeping ready kefir milk in the fridge can be purchased here: 500ml glass jar.

Shipment of fresh milk kefir grains every Monday (or Tuesday if Monday is a public holiday). Orders and payments need to be in by 4pm Saturday to get shipped the following Monday.

Kefir Strainer

Price $14.90
Availability: 124 In Stock
Stainless Steel Strainer for Milk and Water Kefir Grains

10 cm diameter

Small round stainless steel sieve with a fine wire mesh.
Perfect for use when straining the kefir grains out of the finished kefir. Can also be used for sieving flour or draining food.

Yoghurt Making eGuide

Price $14.90
Availability: 80 In Stock

The Ultimate Dairy Yoghurt Guide

Learn how to turn dairy milk into healthy and delicious natural yoghurt without any additives.

With recipes turning yoghurt into a variety of soft cheeses and dips and using it for baking to enhance nutrient availability and flavour.


This eGuide contains 40 pages of detailed instructions and links to demonstration videos on how to make thermophilic and mesophilic yoghurt on a perpetual basis as well as recipes to turn your yoghurt into special dishes - from yoghurt icing for a cake to yoghurt cheese balls and labneh (please find the table of contents below).


This is an ebook and will be available as a pdf to download once your order is placed.

Product added to compare.