Where Does Milk Kefir Come From?

Kefir is considered to be the oldest known fermented milk drink.  It's use has been well known for over 2,000 years in certain areas of the world.  One of the most documented areas of its historical importance stems from the Caucasus Mountains in Eurasia between the Black and Caspian sea.  Those who grew up in the area share a belief with each generation that the kefir grains were a sort of "manna" sent to them by God.  It's also believed that Mohammad, the prophet bestowed his blessings upon these grains, adding to their sacredness to the locals.

These sacred grains were not only a source of health and vitality to those who regularly consumed them, but also an indication of wealth.  Each particular tribe had a slight variation of the grains, which they held onto, passing down to each subsequent generation.  The tribes themselves would also trade grains amongst themselves, but NEVER to foreigners or those simply passing through.  In fact, this was sort of their "Best Kept Secret".  And it remained a secret from outsiders for most of history.

You may be wondering then...how do we have access to them today?  Did some scientist recreate them and share them with the world?  Of course not.  If someone was able to recreate them in some way shape or form, every man woman and child would be able to buy their product at the local grocery store.  And I assure you if they could recreate it for sale, it wouldn't be anything like the original, nor would it be able to reproduce itself for an unsaid period of time.  Take a look at most commercial probiotic cultures for sale  at your local stores.  Notice how they "Expire" around batch 6-7...

So, if scientist have not be able to even come close to recreating these magical "grains", then how have they come to be in the hands of those searching for better health?  You could say that nature always finds a way.  A woman by the name of Irina Sakharova may just have been the key.  She was the sister of the Blandov's brothers, who were cheese makers in Russia at the beginning of the 20th century.  The Russian Physicians' Society at the time really wanted to have access to these grains for study.  So what did they do?  They contracted these two cheese makers to get a hold of the grains.  What was their idea?  To use the looks of their charming sister.

Irina was to charm the Caucasian Prince Bek-Mirza Barchorov into letting her take some of their cherished kefir grains for herself.  The prince wanted Irina, but the idea of giving her grains was preposterous to him.  After refusing to become his bride, she was held captive.  In some time, the brothers that sent her on this impossible mission were at her rescue.  From here, the case was brought against the court with the additional help of the Physicians' society.

The Czar's court ordered reparations to Irina for the distress she was caused by the Prince.  After being offered riches in the form of local jewels and gold, which the Price had in possession Irina refused, She demanded that she receive kefir grains instead. 

Moscow 1908 - It was here for the first time in history, that these magical grains escaped the Caucasus Mountains with the help of Irina.  Once in Moscow, these grains were used for medicinal purposes to treat a number ailments including tuberculosis with tremendous success.

Irinas hard work was commended in 1973 at the age of 85, with a sort of thank you letter from the Minister of the Food Industry of the Former USSR.

And from the very strain she brought back, stems the grains we now find being cultivated all around the world.