problem with water kefir grains?
The appearance and texture of my water kefir grains has changed in a way that has me concerned. I have read that appearance can change over time and so long as you are getting a fermented beverage the grains are working, but in the past my grains looked very clearly defined while in the water-sugar solution. Now while they are fermenting they look cloudy and it almost looks like a thick layer of white dust is floating at the bottom of the bottle. Looking at the grains after straining, I can see they still basically have their normal shape, however they seem a bit more mushy than the did before, and they look kind of "white around the edges."
The grains seem perfectly active, and they are producing a very bubbly beverage. I have tried rinsing the grains, adding more
Sugar to the solution and a pinch of salt, and also recently tried adding a ginger slice, because I read that can act as a "tonic" for the grains. However, the problem persists.
Anyone have any ideas about what might be going on? If the grains are still making kefir, do I not need to be worried about it? Or is there some action I should take?
Thanks.