Is Coffee With Kefir Weird?

I’m always searching for ways to switch up my morning cup of coffee. Whether it’s adding different creams, sweeteners, or flavorings, it’s just fun to experiment a bit. 

A dairy-based beverage I came across recently is kefir. It’s produced by adding kefir grains to regular milk. One of the main benefits of drinking kefir is has a higher probiotic content. As we all know, probiotics are a staple for gut and digestive health. Naturally, I wondered, can you put kefir in coffee? I took to doing a bunch of research on this topic to find the answer. 

You can put kefir in coffee. It has a mild, tart flavor that blends nicely with the acidic profiles of coffee. However, when heated, kefir can turn to whey or start to curdle. So it can add a sour or cheese-like taste to your coffee. A best practice is to let your coffee cool a bit before adding it.

In this article, I’ll dive into this topic in detail. I’ll cover everything from the health benefits of kefir to best practices when adding it to coffee. Keep reading to get all the details.

Key Takeaways

• Kefir is safe to add to coffee. 
• Kefir is nutrient-rich, and consuming it has many health benefits, primarily digestion. 
• You’ll want to let hot coffee cool before adding kefir to it. It also works well in iced coffee. 

What Are the Health Benefits of Kefir?

I hadn’t heard much about kefir before researching it. So if you’re like me, you’ll want to know what it is and its benefits. This dairy-based product originated in Eastern Europe and Southwestern Asia. Lately, it’s slowly been making its way into the U.S. and Canadian regions. 

The term kefir is derived from the Turkish word “keyif,” which stands for “feeling good after eating.” Due to the high probiotic content in kefir that helps with digestion, that sounds about right. Some of the main benefits of kefir are:

1. It’s high in nutrients like protein, calcium, vitamin B, magnesium, and vitamin D. These help satisfy your micro and macronutrient needs to keep you feeling good and healthy. 
2. It contains a more powerful probiotic profile than yogurt. Kefir contains 61 strains of beneficial gut bacteria. Many studies show it can help immensely in aiding digestion. 
3. Kefir has antibacterial properties. It contains the probiotic Lactobacillus kefiri. That probiotic is only in kefir milk and can help protect against harmful bacteria like Salmonella, E. coli, and Helicobacter pylori. 
4. The high calcium content in kefir helps improve bone health. Most kefir milk products contain around 24% of recommended daily calcium per serving. 
5. Many of the probiotics in kefir have been shown to help with common digestive issues. One of the main issues it can benefit is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). 

As you can see, kefir can not only improve your coffee’s flavor, but it can improve your health too. It’s one of the main reasons I’ve found adding it to my coffee is a great way to start the day. 

The Pros and Cons of Kefir

While kefir does have many health benefits, there are pros and cons to using it. Here’s a table breaking down both so you can make an educated decision on if it’s worth using. 

Pros	Cons
Rich in probiotics	Changes the flavor of coffee
May be easier to digest for those with lactose intolerance	Potential interaction with caffeine
Provides a creamy texture	Might curdle if the coffee is too hot
Lower in sugar than some creamers	Not everyone likes the tangy flavor of kefir
High in protein	Can be more expensive than regular creamers

Is Kefir a Good Milk Substitute?

Kefir can be a good milk substitute, depending on what you’re looking for. It is still dairy-based, so anyone looking for dairy-free milk shouldn’t use it as a substitute. However, there are some claims that the probiotics in it could make it easier on the stomach of those who are lactose intolerant compared to traditional dairy milk. But there isn’t concrete research on this. 

That said, if you’re simply looking for a different flavor profile or more health benefits, kefir could be a good choice. Kefir does have a tart and slightly acidic flavor. Those who like sour milk varieties will really like it. However, those who like a sweeter flavor might prefer regular milk. 

If you do want to sweeten kefir, you could add some sugar or honey to it. I personally like doing that when I add it to my coffee. It allows me to get the health benefits of kefir while negating some of the tart flavors. 

How Does Kefir Compare to Other Milk Options?

There’s no shortage when it comes to different milk options these days. Here’s a table breaking down how kefir compares to other milk choices so you can make a better decision on what’s best for your needs. 

Creamer	Calories Per 1 Cup Serving	Sugar Per 1 Cup Serving	Flavor Description
Kefir	110 kcal	12 g	Slightly tangy, creamy
Dairy Creamer	315 kcal	40 g	Creamy, slightly sweet
Non-Dairy Creamer	60 kcal	7 g	Varies by type (almond, soy, oat, etc.)
Half-and-Half	300 kcal	10 g	Rich, creamy
Skim Milk	90 kcal	12 g	Light, slightly sweet

Can You Heat Kefir?

You can heat kefir and safely consume it afterward. However, heating kefir can affect the flavor. When you heat kefir, it starts to turn to whey and can even curdle like cheese. So if you add it to hot coffee, that can make it taste sour or have a cheese flavor. It can be an undesirable flavor to many people. 

What is the Best Way to Mix Kefir with Coffee? 

I’ve found the best way to mix kefir with coffee is to let the coffee cool for 10-15 minutes before mixing it in. That should be the time range most people would let it cool anyway before drinking it. 

Kefir mixes pretty easily with coffee, so simply stirring it in with a spoon works well. If you want a more thorough blend, using a handheld frother can help with that. 

Can You Put Kefir in Iced Coffee?

You can add kefir to iced coffee. In fact, it actually works better that way. Since iced coffee is a cold drink, there is no risk of it causing kefir to curdle. Prepare your iced coffee like normal, just using kefir instead of milk. Kefir should substitute at a perfect 1:1 ratio for any iced coffee beverage that calls for milk. 

Are There Downsides of Putting Kefir in Coffee?

In my opinion, the main downside is the taste. Kefir has a sour or tart flavor to it. I find that I need a sweetener to mask some of that flavor. And adding sweeteners isn’t always optimal since that adds more calories. 

Kefir is also more expensive than many other milk options. In specific, it’s often double the price of regular milk or other dairy-based creamers. 

Lastly, having to wait for the coffee to cool before adding kefir to it can be a bit of a nuisance. 

Can You Add Raw and Probiotic Kefir to Coffee?

Yes, you can add raw and probiotic kefirs to coffee. In fact, those will be your best option to get the most health benefits from using it. Most people will want to avoid pasteurized kefir milk since the pasteurization process removes many of the probiotics from it. 

Optimal Timing for Kefir Consumption

You can get benefits from consuming kefir at any time of the day. 

If you’re looking to optimize your consumption, the morning or after a large meal would be the best. 

Getting some probiotics in during the morning can help aid your digestive system for the remainder of the day. That’s why many people like to add kefir to their coffee to get those benefits. 

Drinking kefir coffee after a large meal can also aid your digestion. It’ll help you feel less bloated and groggy afterward. 

My Two Cents: Should You Try Kefir in Coffee?

Whether you should try kefir in coffee is up to personal preference. If you’re looking for a dairy-based alternative to regular milk or creamer, kefir can be a great option! I’ve been enjoying adding it to my coffee to help with digestion for the rest of the day. 

If you do try kefir in your coffee or have tried it before, leave a comment below. I’d enjoy hearing anyone’s thoughts on the topic.

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