new grain batch not growing - sluggish to ferment also

[thelittlemango]

Hi Guys,

I keep reading about people who have to throw away their grains with every batch because they grow so quickly. Unfortunately for my batch, it's been three weeks and they haven't multiplied at all. I do notice though that the individual grains have grown a little big bigger.

It also takes it 48 hours practically to ferment 2tbsp of grains to 1 cup of milk. They seem to be really sluggish and I don't know how to revive them?

[Robinstar]

Milk keif grains do usually grow quite slowly. It's hard to see them grow each batch, but after 3 weeks, they probably should have grown by now. Sometimes there's an adjustment period with the new milk and environment and may naturally start growing soon. When yous say it takes 48 hours to ferment, are you judging that by the way it looks or by how it smells and tastes? It's best to go by smell and taste and not by whey separation or thickness. Try temporarily doing less milk and shorter ferments. They will help encourage them to be more active. When they fully ferment the milk in 24 hours, just slowly add more milk every batch as they get stronger.