Water Kefir Guide

After years of fermenting at KoruKai Herb Farm, we’ve used (and tested) plenty of pounders—so we know exactly what works best.

This fermentation pounder is designed to our own specifications for efficiently pounding vegetables and tightly packing them into jars or crocks, helping release juices for successful lacto-fermentation.

Made from untreated beech wood, it is strong, natural, and comfortable to use, with a well-balanced shape for everyday kitchen fermenting.

Measurements: Length 30cm | Top diameter 4cm | Bottom diameter 6.1cm | Tapered grip approx. 3.5cm

Please note: As each pounder is handmade, slight variations in size may occur, making every piece unique.

Silicone fermentation airlock for safe, reliable home fermenting. Allows gases to escape while keeping oxygen out, helping protect your pickles, vegetables, and drinks during lacto-fermentation. Reusable, durable, and dishwasher safe. Available in blue, green, purple, red/pink, and white.

Diameter: 8.3 cm

Also available with stainless steel ring (see separate listing).

pH strips are a quick and easy way to check the acidification of your cheese and ferment.

In a lactic ferment and in cheese making beneficial microbes are underway to turn plant sugars and lactose into lactic acid.

This acidification can be measured and ensures your ferment or your cheese is on the right track.

For most cheeses timing of salting is really important; you want the fermentation to be just at the right acidity before you apply salt to slow it down.

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.

This Yoghurt Maker from Culture Cupboard is great for making homemade yoghurt - without the need for an electric yoghurt maker. It also helps maintain a steady fermentation temperature year-round, protecting kefir and cultures from cold winter nights and fluctuating summer heat.

The insulated flask includes a glass jar and recipe booklet with instructions for both dairy and dairy-free yoghurts, making it an easy and energy-efficient tool for home fermentation.

Stainless steel fine-mesh strainer designed for separating milk and water kefir grains from finished kefir. Durable, easy to clean, and ideal for everyday fermentation use.

10 cm diameter compact round sieve with fine wire mesh—also suitable for general kitchen straining, sifting flour, or draining small foods.

A must-have for cheesemaking and dairy fermentation.

This high-quality cheesecloth is made from certified organic cotton and is ideal for straining curds, making kefir cheese, yoghurt cheese, labneh, soft cheeses, and other cultured dairy products.

Reusable, washable, and free from synthetic fibres, it provides excellent drainage while remaining gentle on delicate curds.

Size: 1.5m × 1m

Silicone fermentation airlock with stainless steel band, designed for safe, reliable lacto-fermentation. Allows gases to escape during fermentation while preventing air from entering, helping protect your ferments from spoilage.

Ideal for pickles, vegetables, and fermented drinks.

As pressure builds, gas safely vents through the airlock without allowing oxygen back in.

Diameter airlock: 8.3 cm

Also available without ring (see separate listing).

Grow your own refreshing, fizzy probiotic drink at home with our organic water kefir grains.

We use only certified organic ingredients and filtered spring water to cultivate healthy, active grains.

Water kefir is a reusable, perpetual culture that can be used again and again to brew naturally sparkling drinks that support digestive health.

Choose from:

• 3 Tbsp fresh water kefir grains
• 1 Tbsp dried water kefir grains

Each portion makes approximately 1 litre of probiotic water kefir every 24-48 hours.

Includes our comprehensive Water Kefir eGuide packed with instructions, tips, and recipe inspiration.

For best results, we recommend feeding your grains with our Water Kefir Complete Food.

Fresh water kefir grains are shipped every Monday (or Tuesday following a public holiday). Orders must be placed and paid for by 4 pm Saturday for shipment the following week.

Billions of live probiotics in every tablespoon.

One portion of organic milk kefir grains cultures approximately 1 cup of milk every 24 hours and can multiply to culture up to 1 litre within two weeks under good conditions. Available in hydrated or dehydrated form (please select below).

Easy to use and endlessly reusable, milk kefir grains allow you to make fresh, probiotic-rich kefir.

Shipping Information

NZ-wide shipping available to urban and rural addresses, including PO Boxes.

Fresh milk kefir grains are shipped every Monday (or Tuesday if Monday is a public holiday). Orders and payment must be received by 4pm Saturday for dispatch the following Monday.

Billions of probiotics per tablespoon for gut health.

Everything you need to start making delicious, probiotic-rich milk kefir at home.

This beginner-friendly Milk Kefir Making Kit includes organic milk kefir grains, a wide-mouth glass jar, stainless steel strainer, dairy thermometer, and our comprehensive Milk Kefir eGuide with step-by-step instructions.

A simple and affordable way to make fresh kefir again and again from your own kitchen.

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.

Instant-read stainless steel dairy thermometer for kefir, yoghurt, and cheese making. No batteries required, simply place it in milk for accurate, real-time temperature readings.

Designed by KoruKai Herb Farm, drawing on over a decade of hands-on experience in cheesemaking and dairy fermentation, it reflects practical, real-world needs in a working kitchen.

13.5 cm long with clip for easy pot or jar attachment.

Heavy-duty glass fermentation weight designed to keep vegetables fully submerged during lacto-fermentation. Fits most standard wide-mouth preserving jars including Mason, Kilner, Ball, and Agee jars. Easy to clean, reusable, and dishwasher safe.

Size: 70mm diameter x 25mm depth
Weight: 170g ±10g

Always measure the top diameter of your jar before placing an order. Make sure that the diameter does not get narrower further down.

Fully booked! To go onto the waiting list please sign up below. 

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: Saturday, 2nd May 2026
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.

This guide covers everything you need to know to make probiotic-rich milk kefir using milk kefir grains. With over 15 years of experience, we share proven methods to help your grains thrive so you can enjoy healthy kefir for life.

Available as:

• Downloadable PDF
• Printed booklet (A5, with shipping cost)

Please choose your preferred format below.

If purchasing our KoruKai Milk Kefir Grains or our Milk Kefir Kit this Guide is included with your purchase.

Everything you need to start fermenting at home with confidence. This complete Fermentation Pack includes essential tools for safe, consistent lacto-fermentation—perfect for beginners and experienced fermenters alike.

Includes a fermentation pounder, fermenting weight, airlock system, 1L preserving jar with stainless steel compound lid, and a comprehensive eGuide.

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