How were the very first kefir grains "created?"

[Pam]

Seems like a simple enough question but I can't find the answer to this anywhere on the internet...

At some point the very first batch was created but how?

[Christopher Weeks]

I was listening to a podcast maybe a year ago where they specifically stated that that information has been lost to history. And then another one where, I think, they said that kefir grains had been recreated by putting raw milk in some sort of animal bladder and then kicking or dragging it around or something. I wish I had a citation for you. Hopefully someone else who knows more than I will come by.

[Pam]

Ah, so the information has been lost to history - wish somebody could have mentioned this somewhere on the many websites I've visited, it would have saved me a lot of searching etc

[alisoncc]

By all accounts Kefir goes back hundreds if not thousands of years. Both in the Caucusus and Tibet/Nepal areas. Most probably the Kefir SCOBY evolved over quite a long period of time rather than having been made by an individual.

Alison

[Northern-Mom]

http://www.yemoos.com/milkkefirhistory.html

I don't know about the true origins but the Russian legend/history is pretty cool.

I should find an active fermentation exchange group in my area. I can buy it at my local health food store. Perhaps I will do that instead.

[Pam]

alisoncc - wow for thousands of years kefir might have been around! and thanks Northern-Mom for the link as well