I make kefir from the kefir grains which I bought dehydrated
http://www.culturesforhealth.com/
I bought them in a homesteaders store but they can be bought online.
Very good company IMO and have very good online chat support.
You can also get kefir grains free or cheap from craigslist. It just seemed easier for me to go to the store.
The work as advertised, takes about a week to get good kefir from rehydrated grains.
I used 1/2 the package in case I screwed up and had to start over.
They seem pretty tolerant of temperature variations and types of milk. Supposedly they work better if everything is consistent but that is more of a matter of timing. I cannot control my heat at the moment (plumber coming Monday) so it does not make kefir at a consistent 24 hours per batch.
The kefir tastes fine but sometimes there are fatty globs or it separates (due to my temperature issues or forgetting it)
I have been second fermenting it with strawberries and a bit of sugar or honey and blending it the magic bullet that I received as a gift and never used before.
Tastes just like the expensive store bought brand or Yoplait. Add a blob of ice cream and it is a really good milkshake.
I have also tried citrus, vanilla, jam, fruit syrup as flavourings. I like the strawberry the best.
It takes a small amount of effort and you will waste a quart of milk getting it going, but milk is not that pricey. You can use 2% 3.25 %, or organic or even frozen or powdered. I use 3.25 as that seems to work as good as the organic.
Pretty convinced it is good for me or else I wouldn't bother.
Helen