Beet Kvass
Makes about one quart
A sweet and salty cultured beverage infused with all of the vitamins, minerals, and detoxifying properties of beets. Each variety of beets yields a unique brightly colored kvass (ie. bull’s blood is deep red, chioggia bright pink, and golden kvass is radiant yellow).
3 medium organic beets, any variety
1 tablespoon unrefined sea salt, finely ground
3 tablespoons whey or finished beet kvass (optional)
4-6 cups water (well, spring, or filtered)
Peel the beets. Chop them into one-inch cubes. In a half-gallon canning jar combine the beets, salt, and optional whey or kvass. Add enough water to fill the jar while leaving about two-inches of headspace. Stir with a wooden spoon to dissolve the salt. Cover with a cloth or paper towel. Secure the cover tightly with a string or rubber band. Leave at room temperature for 2 days.
Use a small ladle to skim any foam that has risen to the surface of the kvass. Strain out the beets. (Use them to make a second batch and then discard.)
Funnel the kvass into a glass jar with a tightly fitting lid. Place a sheet of wax paper underneath the lid. (The paper prevents the acidic kvass from contacting the lid.) Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.
One serving size is four ounces.
This was shared at the Probiotic Foods Challenge and the Detox Challenge.
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Would it work to add water kefir in place of the optional whey? Thanks!
I’m sure water kefir would help to add some additional probiotic activity! It may alter the taste a little (water kefir probiotic flavor vs. the flavor of the natural probiotics in the beets- if the whey were left out) Apple cider vinegar or kombucha would also be options!
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Can I use my 2.5 gal fermenting crock to make beet kvass? Recommended amounts of beets? I’m thinking 6 lbs. And kefir starter I already have instead of whey? Would 1 pkg be enough?
Hi C.J.-
Yes, I think you are right on the amount of beets, but you might want to up the starter a little – perhaps 3 packets – or increase the salt content to make up for the lack of starter.
Let me know how it turns out!
Best wishes,
Dori
Dori,
Will do! Many thanks for your help!
Aloha I live in Hawaii and not always near places to get: Kvass
How to make it. I note use water Keifer or whey
So? If I,can find them what do you do? Can you add Kombucha ?
Like add yeast and things like that? Mahao
Kombucha tends to take over anything that it’s introduced into. I think it would give you a nice result, though not like this one!
Best, Dori