TOP 7 best kefir brands 1%: rating, shelf life, which one to choose, comparison with analogues

Kefir is a truly traditional product and an integral part of the diet for many Russian citizens. Much has been said about its benefits for the digestive system and metabolic processes, and this is all due to the abundance of valuable trace elements and vitamins in the composition.

Today, customers have access to the widest assortment of kefir in retail, but not every manufacturer produces a quality product. We studied the modern market and selected the TOP 7 most popular brands of kefir with a fat content of 1% in order to get acquainted in detail with the composition and characteristics of each of them. Based on the results of the examination, we will select the best products and tell you what to focus on when buying.

Rating of TOP 7 kefir producers 1%.

Based on our research, we have compiled a rating of the TOP 7 most demanded kefir brands in the Russian market:

"Prostokvashino"

Low fat natural fermented milk drink in plastic containers. Made from two ingredients - milk and yogurt-based starter culture. It is characterized by a rich taste with a pleasant sourness and a delicate texture without protein lumps.

The product is manufactured in accordance with GOST 31454 at the Danone Russia plant. Received high marks from the expert community "Roskontrol", does not contain thickeners and preservatives. The shelf life is 14 days.

Kefir is good both in pure form and as an ingredient for baking. I also like to fill it with raw buckwheat in the evening, in the morning it turns out a delicious and healthy breakfast. It is liquid, but for those who like thicker, it is better to take with a high fat content.

"Vkusnoteevo"

Low-fat kefir from cow's milk and sourdoughs in a tetra-pack. It has an enveloping texture and creamy taste with a slight sourness. The consistency is moderately thick, without visible lumps.

Made in accordance with GOST 31454-2012, does not contain milk fat substitutes, preservatives and starch. According to this expertise, Roskontrol is recognized as a high-quality and safe dietary product. Shelf life: 13 days.

Good kefir, loved by the whole family. In terms of density, it does not differ from the fat version, it is not at all sour. It makes good pancakes.

"House in the village"

Light kefir of minimum fat content in a tetra-pack carton container. It has a mild taste with a pronounced sour milk flavor. Produced from standardized milk and live sourdough culture. Suitable for both dietetic food and as a base for baking.

The product complies with GOST R 52093-2003, does not contain non-dairy fats, preservatives and stabilizers. Received high marks for quality from the Roskontrol organization. It is recommended to use it within 15 days from the date of production.

Weight, g	950
Container type	cardboard box
Calorie content per 100 g, kcal	37
Composition	standardized milk, ferment on kefir fungi

Kefir itself is delicious, but the packaging spoils the impression. The lid opens with difficulty, the tail cannot be removed, only with a knife. As a result, the spray is flying in all directions.

"Avida"

Low-fat fermented milk drink made from whole and skim milk on fungal sourdough in a tetra-pack package. Has a uniform consistency without clots and grains. It is characterized by a pronounced, but unobtrusive sourness in the aftertaste. Suitable for cooking okroshka and baking.

The product is made in accordance with GOST 31454-2012 without the addition of vegetable fats, starch and preservatives. The shelf life is 14 days.

Kefir is not the most advertised, but definitely deserves attention. The taste is very pleasant, with a slight sourness and sharpness. The price is lower than competitors, while the quality is very decent.

"Village Green"

Diet kefir made from natural milk and starter culture in a plastic bottle (PET). It is characterized by a classic fermented milk taste and natural creamy aroma. Has a light carbonation, bubbles appear on the surface.

During the manufacture, the standards of GOST 31454-2012 are observed. Recommended for use no later than 16 days from the date of production. Store opened packaging no more than 12 hours.

I start every morning with a glass of this kefir. Very pleasant taste, not too sour, not too runny — everything in it is perfectly balanced.

"Carved Palisade"

Natural Vologda kefir with low fat content in a cardboard bottle with a lid. Made from whole and skim milk with the addition of sourdough without preservatives or artificial additives. It has a delicate texture and uniform consistency.

The product is manufactured in accordance with GOST 31454-2012. The shelf life is 14 days.

I like the dairy products of this brand, very high quality. Kefir is more liquid than 3.2%, but the consistency does not bother, which means that starch was definitely not added. The sour is pleasant and unobtrusive. Delicious when paired with oatmeal cookies.

"Vologzhanka"

Low-calorie fermented milk drink made from natural milk and sourdough in a tetra-pack. Has a delicate creamy taste and an enveloping texture. The consistency is homogeneous, without inclusions and clots. Suitable for diet food and baked goods.

The product does not contain preservatives, flavor enhancers and milk fat substitutes. Manufactured according to manufacturer's standards. The shelf life is 10 days.

A natural and healthy product, what you need for fasting days. The composition is natural, nothing more. The packaging is environmentally friendly, all the inscriptions are very clearly visible. A worthy product to satisfy hunger and improve digestion.

Best lists

In today's review, only natural kefir is involved - if you believe the labeling and microbiological analysis of a quality control organization known in Russia.You can learn about the taste properties of each product from personal experience or from customer reviews, but this criterion is always subjective. We have selected 3 brands of fermented milk drink that deserve special mention.

"Prostokvashino" - the choice of buyers

The absolute leader in popularity among consumers as of 2020 is kefir under the Prostokvashino trademark. The classic version of a low-fat fermented milk drink with a natural composition and excellent taste at an affordable price, plus trust in a well-known manufacturer - all this makes this product so popular. It is also worth noting the observance of the GOST requirements during manufacture, which was confirmed by the results of the examination of the Roskontrol organization.

"House in the village" - the choice of experts

Another well-known brand of dairy products produces truly tasty, healthy and, importantly, safe kefir. According to the rating of the same organization of experts, "House in the Village" received the highest rating in all quality indicators. The product has successfully passed the test for the content of pathogenic microorganisms, vegetable fats and preservatives, therefore it can be recommended for dietary and medical nutrition.

"Vologzhanka" - the shortest shelf life

Now it is almost impossible to find natural kefir with a shelf life of 72 hours on the shelves of an ordinary store (these are the recommendations given by SanPiN). This is not a gross violation and often depends on the packaging in which the product is stored (the rules apply rather to polymer or glass containers). “Volgozhanka” has the shortest shelf life compared to other participants in the rating. Among other things, kefir has excellent organoleptic properties and an affordable price for an honest liter.

Tips for choosing kefir in the store

Many of us like to start the day with a glass of kefir or drink it before bed. This is a delicious and healthy habit, especially if the product is of high quality and is not a fake. The following guidelines will help you when choosing your favorite fermented milk drink in the store:

• The first thing to look closely at is the label. Pay attention to the composition: a natural product consists of milk (not dry!) ​​And sourdough. The shelf life on average should be within 10-14 days. If the so-called kefir stays fresh for a month, it probably contains milk fat substitutes, emulsifiers and other unnecessary additives.
• The appearance of food containers can also tell a lot about quality. The packaging should not be swollen, have any noticeable damage or defects.
• It should be borne in mind that fresh kefir with a period of 1-2 days from the date of manufacture has laxative properties and actively removes toxins from the body. If the product was produced three days ago or more, the effect will be the opposite. This is due to the level of microflora content, which changes throughout the entire storage period.
• Kefir with the prefix “bio-” is additionally enriched with bifidobacteria and fermented milk yeast, which is especially useful for the normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. This information must be indicated by the manufacturer on the label.
• The label must necessarily contain information on the number of fermented milk microorganisms per 1 gram of the product. If this information is not available, it is better to refrain from buying.