Kefir

High school (ages 12+)
Food & Cooking

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/kefir

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is Kefir known for?Source of probiotics, calcium, protein, and vitamins
2. What is the microbial composition?A symbiotic culture of lactic acid bacteria and yeasts
3. What is the primary fermentation products?Lactic acid, carbon dioxide, and a small amount of ethanol
4. What is kefir and how is it made?Kefir is a bubbly, tangy drink made by adding special grains to milk. The grains are tiny clusters of friendly bacteria and yeasts that turn the milk into a creamy, slightly fizzy beverage.
5. Why does kefir taste sour and sometimes fizzy?The bacteria in the grains eat the milk sugar and make lactic acid, giving a tangy flavor. The yeasts also produce tiny bubbles of carbon dioxide, which makes kefir fizzy.

Symbiotic Culture: A community of microorganisms living in close association, where different species benefit each other.
Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB): A group of bacteria that produce lactic acid as a metabolic byproduct, crucial in dairy fermentation.
Microbiome: The collection of all microorganisms living in a particular environment, such as the human gut.
Functional Food: Food that has been consumed for centuries and shows potential to have a health benefit beyond basic nutrition.