kefir

A glass of kefir sits on a wooden breakfast table.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A fermented milk drink: "kefir" is a tangy, slightly effervescent dairy product made by fermenting milk with kefir grains (a culture of bacteria and yeasts). It is similar to yogurt but thinner in consistency and often contains more probiotic strains.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • She drinks a glass of kefir every morning for its probiotic benefits. (A fermented milk drink consumed for digestive health.)
  • Kefir can be used as a base for smoothies or salad dressings. (The drink's tangy flavour makes it versatile in cooking.)

Advanced Usage

• "kefir grains": the specific symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeasts (SCOBY) used to ferment milk into kefir.

  • You can reuse kefir grains to make multiple batches of the drink. (The grains are a living culture that can be propagated.)

• "water kefir": a similar fermented beverage made from sugar water and fruit, using a different type of grain.

  • Water kefir is a non-dairy alternative for those who avoid milk. (A plant-based version of the drink.)

Variants and Related Words

• Kefir (n): the drink itself; no common adjective or verb forms, but the term is often used attributively (e.g., , ).
  • The kefir starter kit includes grains and a jar. (A kit for making the drink at home.)

Synonyms

• Fermented milk: a general term for dairy products processed with bacterial cultures, including kefir, yogurt, and buttermilk.
• Probiotic drink: a beverage containing live beneficial bacteria, of which kefir is a common example.

Related Idioms

• No common idioms exist for "kefir," as it is a specific food item rather than a metaphorical concept.

Phrasal Verbs

• None applicable, as "kefir" is a noun and does not form phrasal verbs.