1. Who can drink milk kefir?

From babies who are weaning to infancy toddlerhood, childhood, adulthood and adolescence. Probiotics are essential at every stages of our lives. They are also beneficial for pregnant and breastfeeding moms. Individuals who are picky eaters or food neophobia who has limited range of gut flora will benefit from milk kefir as well.

2. Can lactose intolerant and milk allergy individuals consume our milk kefir?

TGF milk kefir has been certified with only 2.42g of lactose per 100ml. According to SFA guideline, foods that are considered low lactose and can be well-tolerated by lactose intolerant have to be lower than 2.5g of lactose per 100ml. 

A research in 2010 has shown that lactose intolerant can tolerate up to 12g of lactose at once or 24g of lactose spread out across the day.  With this, lactose intolerant can consume our organic milk kefir in 250ml glass bottle or 2 bottles (250ml each) of kefir smoothie per day.

However, there are many reasons of lactose intolerance and some individuals does not have any lactase in them. We advise to seek professional advice first before consuming our milk kefir if unsure.

In the case of milk allergy, casein (milk protein) is found to have been broken down during the fermentation process. Although we have some of our milk allergy children consuming our milk kefir without any effects, do seek any medical advice prior to consumption.

3. Which groups of individuals has TGF milk kefir help thus far?

Our milk kefir has been consumed safely by some milk allergy children. We have helped many children with constipation and building of their immunity. Many have told us that their child has never has a day of constipation after consuming our milk kefir regularly and their child has significant improvements in immunity. Some children also have great improvements in eczema. TGF milk kefir has started helping individuals with auto-immune disease such as PFAPA.

Individuals with milk allergy should consult professional advice before starting on milk kefir as there are varying degrees of allergy. The Grain Factory will not be held responsible for any negative complications. 

4. Who should avoid milk kefir?

Milk kefir is safe for the majority for daily consumption. Individuals with specific health concerns such as immunocompromised, histamine allergy or alcohol allergy should seek medical advice first.

Should you also have allergies towards any foods, particularly fruits, do approach us at info@thegrainfactory-sg.com.

5. Can I/my child consume milk kefir when one is having cough or flu?

Based on our own personal experience, YES. We even offer more milk kefir upon the first onset of sickness and it aids in his full recovery within a few days without getting full-blown. The millions of probiotics and nutrients in milk kefir are amazing for recovery.

Some would suggest to avoid bananas and mango when down with cough and flu. However, one’s reaction may differ from the others. Eg., one may have more cough from berries but not bananas. The conclusion is that you have to observe what works for you. 

Original milk kefir and beetroot kefir smoothie may be a safer option for cough and flu.

6. How much should I consume as a first-timer consuming milk kefir?

Original milk kefir:  ½ of a pouch size (60ml) or ⅓ of a bottle (80ml) for a start

Kefir smoothies: A full pouch to ¾ of a bottle for a start

Color Bowls/Berries Mama Jar/A Father’s Bowl/Cacao Banana LACTOats™: ½ portion for a start

LACTOats™: Approximately 3 tbsp for a start

You can then gradually increase the amount of intake over 1 week.

7. What is the recommended amount to consume daily?

100 to 300ml of Milk Kefir (Original) per day. On average, children and adults can consume a 120ml pouch or a 250ml bottle of any flavours. For infants less than 1 year old, keep to a maximum of only 1 tablespoon of original milk kefir and 2 to 3 table spoon of kefir smoothies per day.

8. Which flavours should you consume first?

If you are new to our milk kefirs, you can consume according to the above sequence. (1) Avocado and Adzuki Matcha (2) Strawberry and Turmeric (3) Berries Baby (4) Beetroot (5) Original 

All fruits and vegetables contains some amount of prebiotics that feeds the good microbes in our gut. In all our kefir smoothies, we use only real whole fruits and vegetables that contain the original state of fibre, water and nutrients that real foods have.

The prebiotics in these fruits and vegetables is believed to be a food source for the probiotics in our milk kefir, thereby increasing the amount of live microbes and it can turn fizzy faster due to the increased fermentation. This is also the reason why our milk kefirs do not have months-long shelf life as compared to other milk kefirs with probably added additives/preservatives and with the use of dried fruits/vegetables powders instead.

9. When should you drink milk kefir?

While some recommend drinking milk kefir in the morning on an empty stomach for best results, others recommend consuming together with a meal or after a meal. Milk kefir can actually be consumed at anytime of the day -- in the morning, afternoon, and even in the evening, depending on your comfort level and lifestyle.

The benefits of kefir taken 2 hours before bedtime can enhance sleep.

10. Can we consume probiotic supplements on top of milk kefir?

We do not advocate the use of probiotic supplements unless one have a specific health condition that requires a particular strain of microbe. You can still consume probiotic supplements and milk kefir.

11. What are the possible side-effects of milk kefir?

Nausea, bloating, intestinal cramping, constipation. These side effects are usually rare and they go away quickly with continued consumption.

12. What is the shelf-life of TGF milk kefir?

TGF milk kefir best consumed date for the best taste is between 0 to 3 days. Palatable shelf life would be 1 week. It can even be longer for original milk kefir. Best consumed date is NOT expiry date. 

Original Lactoats has a shelf life of 1 week for best taste. Palatable shelf life will be 1-2 weeks.

Palatable shelf life refers to the time period where you could still drink it and it will taste alright for some but too sour for others.

It is also dependable on the storage temperature. The colder your chiller is, the long the best taste shelf life would be.  It is recommended to store your kefir at 3°C and below to prolong the shelf life. Beyond that time, it is likely not spoilt but at a more fermented stage that is more sourish and fizzy ( a natural phenomenon of fermentation) as it contains active live probiotic cultures that is still slowly fermenting in your fridge. 

For kefir smoothies, the fruits and vegetables within are preserved via bio-preservation from lactic acid in the milk kefir (a by-product of fermentation from converting lactose into lactic acid). Hence it can still be consumed if past the best taste period. 

As our milk kefir products do not undergo any forms of heat sealing, the best consumed date is the same whether is it opened or unopened.

Spoilt milk kefir and kefir smoothies have a distinct pungent smell and taste . Do not consume if they are spoilt. 

13. Can we freeze the milk kefir and kefir smoothies?

Yes. Freeze the pouches only.

Freezing will not kill the probiotics in milk kefir. They simply go into dormant state. Once thawed, milk kefir and kefir smoothies will become more watery and taste may vary.

However, if you can consume by the 4th to 5th day after receiving (after best consumed date), there is no need for freezing (subjective to how cold your fridge is).

Freezing and thawing can change the taste and texture of the milk kefir itself.

14. Why we use organic full cream cows’ milk ?

Animal fats are the best sources of vitamins A, D, E and K2. These nutrients are essential for the development of healthy babies and fast growing children. We believe in the importance in purity of milk that feeds our live kefir grains in order to produce the finest organic milk kefir.

15. Why are there strand-like substances in some of the kefir smoothies?

Truth is, we do not have just one kind of fruit or vegetables in all our kefir smoothies. Eg. Strawberry kefir smoothie do not just contain strawberries. Many of our kefir smoothies contains mango. Even though the mango flesh looks like a solid structure, it is actually laced with dozens of vascular canals. These canals deliver sugars and other life-giving products of photosynthesis to the mango fruit itself.

16. Can the kefir vary in taste per batch?

Definitely yes! All our kefir products contains only real fruits and vegetables. Depending on the species, soil and environmental conditions, these fruits can have significantly varying taste/sweetness and even textures. The microbiome of the kefir grains can also vary due to the climatic change in Singapore. Hence, it is perfectly normal to have different taste for kefir and kefir smoothies itself. This is the true beauty of nature!

17. How should we discard unfinished milk kefir?

Pour away any unfinished milk kefir down the sink before disposing the empty bottle or pouches. TGF milk kefir is live and very active. There is continued fermentation and will result in an "explosion" if left in a covered bottle/pouch on a countertop.