kefir

[ kuh-feer ]
/ kəˈfɪər /

Middle Eastern Cookery.

a tart-tasting drink originally of the Caucasus, made from cow's or sometimes goat's milk to which the bacteria Streptococcus and Lactobacillus have been added.

Origin of kefir

1880–85; < Russian kefír, apparently < a Caucasian language; compare Ossetic kʾæpy, kʾæpu kefir, Mingrelian kipuri milk curdled in an animal skin

Example sentences from the Web for kefir

  • In koumiss and kefir the curd is very finely divided and will remain in suspension for a long time as with butter milk.

  • Several alcoholic drinks made from milk, such as kefir and koumiss, have been originated among the nomadic tribes of Western Asia.

  • Koumiss is made in Russia from mare's milk and has much the same composition as kefir.