Frequently Asked Questions

All of Lifeway's products are gluten free and 99% lactose free.

• What is kefir?

  Kefir is a live and active cultured dairy beverage with a tart and tangy taste and creamy consistency. It originated over 2000 years ago in the Caucasus Mountains and is associated with good health.

• How long does Lifeway Kefir stay fresh after opening?

  Lifeway Kefir will stay fresh and delicious from the time you open the container until the printed expiration date. For maximum culture activity, we recommend consuming your kefir before the expiration date.

• What are kefir cultures?

  Kefir cultures are beneficial bacteria. Research indicates that kefir cultures may provide health benefits outside of basic nutrition and may support healthy digestion and immunity.

• What kinds of bacteria are in Lifeway Kefir?

  Lifeway drinkable kefir contains 15 – 20 billion Colony Forming Units (CFU) of live and active kefir cultures per serving. The kefir cultures include:

  • Lactobacillus casei
  • Lactobacillus bulgaricus
  • Lactobacillus acidophilus
  • Streptococcus thermophilus
  • Bifidobacterium
  • Leuconostoc cremoris
  • Lactobacillus  rhamnosus
  • Lactobacillus diacetylactis
  • Lactobacillus msenteroides
  • Lactobacillus delbrueckii lactis

   

  Lifeway Frozen Kefir contains the following 10 live and active kefir cultures:

  • thermophilus
  • delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus
  • casei
  • acidophilus
  • lactis
  • rhamnosus
  • lactis subsp. Cremoris
  • lactis subsp. lactis biovar. Diacetylactis
  • Leuconostoc mesenteroides ssp. Cremoris
  • delbrueckii subsp. Lactis

   

• Are Lifeway Kefir products gluten-free?

  All Lifeway Kefir products are naturally gluten-free.

• Do Lifeway Kefir products contain peanuts or tree nuts?

  All Lifeway Kefir products are manufactured in a facility that does not contain peanuts or tree nuts. If you would like more information about our allergen management procedures, please email info@lifeway.net

• Is Lifeway drinkable kefir homogenized?

  Lifeway’s drinkable kefir available in the UK  is homogenized. For more information about our kosher certifications, please email info@lifeway.net.

• Why should I add kefir to my diet?

  The bacteria in the digestive system are important to health and are easily thrown out of balance by everyday stress. Factors that can also offset this balance include antibiotics, infections, alcohol consumption, chronic diarrhea and travel.  Consuming highly processed foods or not consuming enough fiber can also negatively impact this balance. Consuming Lifeway Kefir may help combat these factors and may help keep your digestive system regulated.

• How much Lifeway Kefir should I drink each day?

  The bacteria in the digestive system are important to health and are easily thrown out of balance by everyday stress. Factors that can also offset this balance include antibiotics, infections, alcohol consumption, chronic diarrhea and travel.  Consuming highly processed foods or not consuming enough fiber can also negatively impact this balance. Consuming Lifeway Kefir may help combat these factors and may help keep your digestive system regulated.

• How do live and active cultures work?

  Imagine the path that food takes through the digestive system. Food is passed through the mouth, enters the very acidic stomach and goes into the small intestine where the breakdown of bacteria continues. It is in these last two digestive processes that most bacteria is found. Depending on the balance of “good” and “bad” strains, bacteria can stay in the intestines for quite some time, taking up a significant amount of intestinal wall room and growing surpluses of harmful pathogens like Candida (an overgrowing of yeast). Overall, each time you consume live and active cultures, like kefir, the good bacteria works to push the harmful bacteria out.

• What can I expect when I try Lifeway Kefir?

  Lifeway Kefir is similar to drinkable yogurt in texture and is delightfully tart and tangy. Kefir affects individuals differently, but in general you can look forward to improved digestion, increased immunity and replenished gut flora. Lifeway Kefir may also help regulate bowel movements.

• Why does kefir taste different from bottle to bottle?

  Lifeway Kefir is a live and active product that varies in taste, texture, viscosity and level of fizz from bottle to bottle and batch to batch. We don’t add any chemical stabilizers or additives to our kefir, which is why there are natural variations.

  If you purchase a bottle of kefir that is more tart, sour or fizzy than you’re used to, this does not mean the kefir is bad; it’s simply a characteristic of the active cultures! Kefir actually produces a variety of antimicrobial and anti-pathogenic compounds that prevents spoilage.

  Finally, the thickness of the kefir can vary depending on temperature and season. During warmer months, the cows that supply our milk consume more water, which can cause our kefir to be thinner. This once again occurs because we strive to keep our kefir as natural as possible. At the same time, lumps may form due to the culturing process and are a natural characteristic of kefir.

• What are the differences between kefir and yogurt?

  Lifeway Kefir contains 10 live and active cultures and is fermented for 14-18 hours after pasteurization. This results in more CFU per serving (15-20 billion) compared to most other commercially available cultured dairy products, including yogurt. Additionally, Lifeway Kefir is high in protein, calcium, and vitamin B12. Kefir can be slightly effervescent and fizzy in taste as well, due to fermentation.

• Where can I find Lifeway Kefir products?

  Lifeway Kefir is available in many major supermarkets across the UK. Check out our Where to Buy page to see where you can find it near you. If you can’t find it at your local store, ask your grocer to carry it, and we will be sure to supply it!

• Where does the milk in Lifeway Kefir come from?

  Lifeway uses milk from small, family run farms that are committed to taking great care for the cows and treating them humanely. The milk contains absolutely no artificial additives or preservatives. Only the finest milk from approved suppliers is used to make our kefir. All cows are grass fed.

• Does Lifeway Kefir contain any alcohol?

  No. We have formulated our kefir to not contain any alcohol and is safe for the whole family! If you’d like more information about our process, please email info@lifeway.net.

• Can I give Lifeway Kefir to my child?

  Yes! Lifeway Kefir is gluten-free and low in lactose, so it’s gentle on kids’ tummies. Plus, research shows that drinking kefir may support immunity and digestive systems in young children.

• Is Lifeway Kefir pasteurized? Does it contain any harmful bacteria?

  All of the milk used to make Lifeway Kefir is pasteurized before fermentation. Pasteurization before fermentation ensures our kefir cultures are alive and active when consumed. Furthermore, the fermentation process of Lifeway Kefir produces a variety of compounds that have antimicrobial effects. These inhibit and protect against the growth of pathogens.

• Do the cultures in Lifeway Frozen Kefir survive when frozen?

  Yes! The cultures in our frozen kefir are dormant while frozen. When it is consumed, the cultures resume activity and may provide all the benefits of cultures in refrigerated kefir.

• Can I freeze my drinkable kefir? Will the cultures survive?

  Freezing drinkable kefir can be tricky, but it can be done! We don’t recommend putting drinkable kefir in the freezer while in the bottle, as this will cause the liquids and solids to separate. The kefir may lose its creamy consistency once thawed. Instead, we recommend pouring the kefir into an ice cube tray and blending before consuming if you choose to freeze it.

  If your kefir freezes while in the refrigerator, it is still fine to drink! Just be sure to shake the bottle very well (with the lid on securely) before consuming.

• Where is the expiration date on my Lifeway Kefir?

  The expiration date on our 500mL bottles will be stamped on the container. The expiration date for our Frozen Kefir will be stamped on the bottom of the container.

• Is kefir safe for pregnant/nursing women?

  Lifeway Kefir is safe and can be beneficial for pregnant and nursing women.

• Can I cook or bake with kefir? If so, why should I?

  Absolutely! We love using kefir in our kitchen and have an entire section of our website dedicated to what we create! Visit our Recipe page for simple, delicious ideas that are family-friendly.

  Use Lifeway Kefir anywhere you would use buttermilk, sour cream, yogurt or mayonnaise to kick up the taste – and health benefits – of cold dips, dressings, smoothies and sauces. While many of the cultures won’t survive being cooked, kefir is a great way to add flavor and texture to warm dishes, and makes baked goods extra fluffy!