Every time I make more kefir soda I mean to take pictures so that I may accurately describe the process. This has yet to happen and I average a new batch every two to four days. There are some things that I have discovered during the process. Here are my thoughts/conclusions:
1. Any juice with an apple base does not taste good. The apple juice leaves a little bit of a sour (but not pleasant) flavor. I don't mind the apple juice soda but my husband does. I haven't made grape since most grape juice (unless you pay premium) is like 95% apple juice. We did try some grape when my sister-in-law brought it up and Chris wasn't a huge fan. Keep in mind that I don't know what brand of juice she used. I think it might have had apple in it.
2. Ocean Spray juice is no longer made with HFCS. This is great because when I feel like going cheap on juice- I can buy something without.
3. Black cherry juice doesn't taste that good. It's not worth the money. Now, to keep things fair, this is based on the Whole Foods brand and not on the R.W. Knudsen brand which probably has a better flavor. I also have not tried Tart Cherry.
4. Cranberry Pomegranate is really good. This is the flavor that my husband likes the best- and considering he's really picky this is huge.
5. Molasses leaves a strong flavor. If you love molasses then add it. It's too strong for my taste. The reason that you would add molasses in the first place is to add minerals to the water for the kefir to eat.
6. Adding egg shell makes it better IMHO. It satisfies the mineral requirements for the grains and it adds calcium to the water. I also think it makes a better fizz.
7. I have seen some websites with recipes that suggest adding raisins and orange peel to the water- with no other juice for flavoring. This just sounds gross to me.
Pictures with process coming soon...I promise.
