Best kefir in the UK reviewed
Last updated: 14 October 2025
Here we will give a hands-on, taste-tested review of some of the UK’s best and most popular kefirs, including ones from M&S x Zoe, Biotiful, Bio & Me, Aldi Beautiful, Graham’s, M&S Good Gut and Yeo Valley. We’ll also look at the vegan kefir, Cocos coconut kefir.
We’ll look into the benefits, ingredients, nutrition and flavour of these popular kefirs.
You might also be interested in reading our article on the best probiotics in the UK if you want to add more healthy microbes to your diet.
About kefir
Kefir is a fermented dairy drink which is traditionally made by adding kefir grains - which are full of different strains of bacteria and yeast - to milk. (There’s also non-dairy kefir like the coconut kefir we reviewed below, but we won’t get into that in this description.)
The result is a tangy dairy drink which is similar to yoghurt but more runny. It also has a lot more bacterial diversity than yoghurt does which makes it better for our gut.
Because of this diversity and increased microbial activity, kefir can sometimes taste a bit more ‘funky’ than yoghurt.
Kefir can be had on its own or you can add it to cereal, smoothies or dressings to increase your probiotic intake.
And because of the strong fermentation of the milk sugars, it is better for people with some degree of lactose intolerance.
However, many commercial kefir are not made in the traditional way and do not offer all these benefits. So it’s important to be aware of how your kefir is made and what it really offers.
Read more about the benefits of kefir and how it differs to yoghurt.
M&S x ZOE gut shot kefir
M&S x ZOE gut shot kefir is the best kefir in the UK in our opinion.
This kefir is unique in that it comes in the form of a gut shot, rather than a 500ml bottle or similar. This means it doesn’t provide that value of others but its ingredients and benefits are superb.
This gut shot of kefir contains over 5 billion live cultures from 14 different strains.
It also contains ginger and lemon, as well as prebiotics to feed the good bacteria in your gut.
Flavour
The aroma is sweet banana and mixed fruit.
The taste is similar to yoghurt but with a slight vinegary, gingery acidic tang finish which lingers a bit. It also has an indistinct berry and mixed fruit taste with some banana coming through.
Typical of kefir, it is a bit funkier than yoghurt, with a finish that is not as clean. I would say the taste is still pleasant, but if it’s your first time drinking kefir then you will notice the difference initially.
Cost and availability
I bought it for just over £2 in a small M&S store. It is generally available in most M&S stores in my experience.
Summary
4.75 stars out of 5.
It’s hard to want much more from a kefir. It has probiotics, prebiotics, fruits, ginger and lemon - all which have been shown to be good for the gut.
Pros
huge amount of live cultures
large diversity of bacterial strains
contains prebiotics
contains ginger and lemon
Cons
strong kefir takes a little getting used to initially
a small shot doesn’t provide the value of other kefirs
Our favourite gut health products in the UK
YourBiology Gut+ probiotic not only offers 10 strains of probiotics, but also includes two types of prebiotics, three digestive enzymes and vitamin D for gut health support. All this means it offers a lot more benefits for gut health and general health than most probiotic supplements do
Healthpath gut health test is the UK’s most comprehensive gut health test. It tests over 100 biomarkers, checks your digestion and immune response, analyses leaky gut and provides a clear and understandable report on your microbiome
YourBiology SuperGreens+ is a superfood and greens supplement which makes it very easy to get a huge amount of nutrition - vitamins, minerals, amino acids, fibre, polyphenols and more - in one glass. Great for supporting gut health, skin health, energy, mental clarity and immunity.
Read more about the best gut health products in the UK.
Yeo Valley kefir
This natural and unflavoured kefir only contains milk, and yoghurt and kefir cultures.
Yeo Valley kefir has an impressive 14 strains of bacteria in it. Unfortunately they don’t specify which strains these are or provide information on the actual amount of bacteria present (ie colony forming units).
This kefir is also a good source of:
calcium
protein - it is 4% protein
phosphorus
vitamin B2
Flavour
Being unflavoured, the natural kefir taste really shines.
The aroma is very similar to that of yoghurt - slightly acidic and milky.
The taste is quite similar to yoghurt also and doesn’t have the funky notes which some kefirs do. There’s not too much else to say about the taste; essentially it is a nice, refreshing and slightly acidic milky drink which is very approachable.
Cost and availability
I bought a 500ml bottle from a big Sainsbury’s for £2.25 (or £1.75 with a Nectar card).
Summary
4.5 stars out of 5.
A natural, organic kefir with good microbial diversity and great taste for a reasonable price.
Pros
natural and organic
14 strains of bacteria
refreshing taste
very approachable to people new to kefir
Cons
lacks information on which live culture strains are present
needs more information on the actual amount of bacteria present (ie colony forming units)
Biotiful kefir
Biotiful kefir includes milk, cherry puree, fruit extracts, pectin, lemon, natural flavourings and various cultures.
Biotiful lists various bacteria as being present such as Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus rhamnosus. It’s not possible to say exactly how many strains of Bifidobacterium are present as they only list the genus.
Unfortunately they don’t provide specific information on the actual amount of bacteria present (ie colony forming units). They only state there are ‘billions’ of bacteria.
This kefir is also a good source of:
calcium (which helps digestion)
protein - it is 3.3% protein
phosphorus
vitamins B2 and B12 (which supports immunity)
Flavour
The flavour is brilliant.
The aroma is like a cherry yoghurt - with none of the funky vibes you can get with kefir.
The taste is fruity with cherry being dominant. Interestingly I would say it tastes more like a clean yoghurt than a kefir given the absence of any kefir funky flavours. This may make it appealing to a lot of people and it certainly makes it very approachable.
Cost and availability
I bought a 500ml bottle from a small Coop for £2.85.
Summary
4.25 stars out of 5.
Biotiful kefir is a delicious kefir which is more akin to yoghurt in taste.
Pros
clean ingredients (but not organic)
great cherry taste
very approachable, clean flavour
Cons
more specifics on the number of bacterial strains present would be helpful
needs more information on the actual number of bacteria present (ie colony forming unit count)
not the cheapest
Our favourite gut health products in the UK
YourBiology Gut+ probiotic not only offers 10 strains of probiotics, but also includes two types of prebiotics, three digestive enzymes and vitamin D for gut health support. All this means it offers a lot more benefits for gut health and general health than most probiotic supplements do
Healthpath gut health test is the UK’s most comprehensive gut health test. It tests over 100 biomarkers, checks your digestion and immune response, analyses leaky gut and provides a clear and understandable report on your microbiome
YourBiology SuperGreens+ is a superfood and greens supplement which makes it very easy to get a huge amount of nutrition - vitamins, minerals, amino acids, fibre, polyphenols and more - in one glass. Great for supporting gut health, skin health, energy, mental clarity and immunity.
Read more about the best gut health products in the UK.
Graham's kefir
This is a good choice for those looking for a fully lactose-free kefir or those wanting a good value kefir.
This is a fairly simple kefir which only includes milk, live cultures and lactase enzyme. It’s the added lactase which breaks down all the lactose in this drink.
Graham's kefir includes 13 strains of live cultures.
Unfortunately it gives no information on the actual amount of live cultures present (ie colony forming units).
It has moderate levels of protein (3.4%) and fat (3%), low to moderate levels of sugar (3.6%) and excellent levels of calcium with 295mg per 100g.
Flavour
The texture is a bit lacking and more on the thin, milky side for a kefir. It doesn’t have lumps like some kefir does and you can’t notice much effervescence.
The aroma is like yoghurt without any funky vibes kefir can have.
The taste is very clean and simple. It’s like a yoghurty acidic milk. And the acidity makes it quite refreshing.
Overall, the taste is good and certainly very approachable. But my only criticism is that it is a bit one dimensional and doesn’t have the complexity other kefirs have. However I could imagine a lot of people would appreciate this simple, more familiar taste.
Cost and availability
We bought a 500ml bottle from Lidl for £1.35.
Summary
Rating: 4.25 stars out of 5.
Verdict: Graham's kefir is a good value, lactose-free kefir with an approachable taste. Kefir aficionados may find this taste and its texture a bit underwhelming though.
Pros
14 stains of live cultures
excellent calcium levels
lactose free
cheap
approachable taste (if that’s what you’re looking for)…
Cons
…but the taste will be uninspiring to some who are more used to traditional kefir
more information on which live culture strains are included would be good
no information given on the actual amount of live cultures (ie colony forming units)
Bio & Me kefir
Bio & Me kefir offers good bacterial diversity and a clean, approachable taste.
This is a simple and natural kefir which only contains cow’s milk and live cultures.
Bio & Me kefir includes 18 strains of live cultures. However, they only state that these are from the ‘Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria families’. So while many of these would likely be probiotic, we don’t know for sure.
In terms of the actual amount of bacteria present (usually expressed as colony forming units), Bio & Me state there are ‘100 billion gut friendly cultures’ - which presumably means there is that many in the whole bottle (rather than per serving or per 100ml).
It has moderate levels of protein (3.4%) and fat (3.4%), low to moderate levels of sugar (3.4%) and moderate levels of calcium with 113mg per 100g.
Flavour
The texture is fairly thick and nice to drink. It doesn’t have lumps or much effervescence which you can often find in traditional kefir.
The aroma is simply of yoghurt without any funky notes kefir can have.
The taste is very simple, clean and basically of a yoghurty milk. The acidity is at a moderate level.
Overall, the taste is refreshing and approachable. Similar to Graham’s kefir, if I were to nitpick I’d say the flavour is a bit one dimensional and lacks the complexity other kefirs have. But many may prefer the clean, milky yoghurt taste.
Cost and availability
You can buy a 500ml bottle from Tesco or Sainsbury’s for £2.60.
Summary
Rating: 4.25 stars out of 5.
Verdict: Bio & Me kefir is a simple kefir with good bacterial diversity and an approachable taste.
Pros
simple, natural ingredients
18 stains of live cultures
low in sugar
clean, approachable taste (if that’s what you’re looking for)…
Cons
…but the taste will be uninspiring to some who are more used to traditional kefir
lacks information on which live culture strains are included
on the more expensive end of the spectrum
M&S Good Gut kefir
M&S Good Gut kefir is among the few kefir reviewed here which actually tastes like a traditional kefir.
This organic kefir has very simple and traditional ingredients - only milk and live cultures.
Unfortunately M&S Good Gut kefir gives no information on how many or which types of live cultures are included so we don’t know whether they are probiotic or not.
However, the taste suggests this has a undergone a proper, traditional kefir fermentation with an array of bacteria and yeasts.
It also gives no information on the actual amount of live cultures present (ie colony forming units).
It has moderate levels of protein (3.1%), high levels of fat (3.9%), moderate levels of sugar (4.1%) and moderate levels of calcium with 126mg per 100g.
Flavour
The texture is quite runny for a kefir and doesn’t have lumps like traditional kefir can. And it has a low to moderate effervescence.
The aroma has the traditional kefir notes of farmyard funk. While some won’t find this initially appealing, it’s at least a sign that this is a proper kefir.
The taste is also a bit funky, but not to the level of the aroma. Other than the funk, it’s a bit like a watery yoghurt. There’s also a boozy characteristic to it - perhaps from the traditional fermentation with yeast as well as bacteria.
Overall, the taste is fine - but the texture is a bit underwhelming. However, compared to a lot of commercial kefir in the UK this at least comes across as a proper, traditional kefir. Many other kefir in the UK taste more like drinking yoghurts which don’t seem to have gone through complex kefir fermentation which produces a more complex, funky flavour.
Cost and availability
You can buy a 750ml bottle from M&S for £4.25.
Summary
Rating: 4 stars out of 5.
Verdict: M&S Good Gut kefir has the character of a traditional kefir, but is a bit runny. It’s also on the more expensive end of the spectrum.
Pros
simple, organic ingredients
tastes like a traditional kefir - which is surprisingly uncommon for commercial kefir
Cons
texture is a bit runny
high in fat for a kefir
on the expensive side
no information on which types of live cultures are included
no information on the actual number of live cultures present (ie colony forming unit count)
Read our full review of M&S Good Gut kefir.
Cocos coconut kefir
Cocos coconut kefir might be an option if you are looking for a vegan kefir.
This is an organic kefir which includes coconut milk (97%) (filtered water, coconut), tapioca starch and live cultures.
Cocos states it includes ‘live vegan kefir cultures including Bifidobacterium’. However, the only strain they specify is the probiotic Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12. This is a very extensively studied probiotic which has been shown to:
improve bowel regularity and stool consistency
support a balanced gut microbiota
enhance immune function by strengthening antibody responses and reducing the risk and duration of some respiratory and gastrointestinal infections
Unfortunately it gives no information on the actual amount of live cultures present (ie colony forming units).
It has very high levels of fat (6.5%), low levels of protein (1.6%) and very low levels of sugar (0.5%). Unfortunately it doesn’t state its calcium content - but this would be negligible given the ingredients.
Flavour
The texture is certainly thicker than coconut milk, given the added tapioca starch. But I find this generally gives it an grainy, unnatural thickness, rather than the creamy thickness of dairy kefir. And considering this kefir is high in fat, you might expect the creaminess to be higher - but this is common with coconut kefir.
The aroma is straight up coconut - just like a packet of flaked coconut.
The taste is really not much to speak of - just of coconut with a moderate acidity.
Overall, the taste is fine enough but underwhelming. The texture really is lacking compared to a dairy kefir.
Cost and availability
You can buy a 500ml bottle from Waitrose for £3.75.
Summary
Rating: 3 stars out of 5.
Verdict: Cocos coconut kefir is vegan kefir with an okay taste but underwhelming texture. Like other coconut kefir, the health factors in general don’t measure up well against dairy kefir.
Pros
vegan (if that is important to you)
organic, fairly simple ingredients
very low in sugar
Cons
very high in fat for a kefir
low protein levels
underwhelming texture
negligible calcium levels
needs more information on the strains of live cultures present (as they currently only specify one strain)
needs more information on the actual number of bacteria present (ie colony forming unit count)
Read our full review of Cocos coconut kefir.
Aldi Beautiful kefir
Aldi Beautiful kefir only includes one strain of live cultures so is it really a kefir?? I think it is more of a drinking yoghurt. More on this and who actually makes it in our full review.
The one strain of live cultures it includes is the probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus.
Unfortunately it gives no information on the actual amount of live cultures present (ie colony forming units). They only state there are ‘billions of live cultures’.
It has very simple, natural ingredients, just low fat cow’s milk and live cultures.
It has moderate levels of protein (3.4%), low levels of fat (1.5%), moderate levels of sugar (4.1%) and moderate levels of calcium with 115mg per 100g.
Flavour
The texture is low to moderately thick for a kefir. It doesn’t have lumps or much effervescence which you often find in traditional kefir.
The aroma is just like yoghurt without any funky notes kefir can have.
Similarly, the taste is just like a yoghurty milk. And there’s sort of watery aspect and lack of depth which might be due to the low fat milk used. The acidity is at a low to moderate level. And it doesn’t have the complex funky taste which traditional kefir does.
Overall, the taste is fine and certainly approachable. But again the question arises, is this really a kefir?? It doesn’t have the texture, aroma or taste of traditional kefir - which should not be surprising given it’s fermented with only one strain of live culture.
Cost and availability
You can buy a 750ml bottle from Aldi for £2.29.
Summary
Rating: 2.75 stars out of 5.
Verdict: Aldi Beautiful kefir is not made in the traditional way with a wide variety of live cultures so it is better thought of as a drinking yoghurt with a simple, clean taste.
Pros
simple, natural ingredients
low in fat
cheaper than others
Cons
the taste is clean and approachable but it lacks depth
doesn’t have the texture, aroma or taste of a traditional kefir
only one strain of live culture used (therefore is it really a kefir??)
needs more information on the actual number of bacteria present (ie colony forming unit count)
Read our full review of Aldi Beautiful kefir.
Biotiful protein kefir
Biotiful protein kefir is best not thought of as a traditional kefir, rather it is probably best viewed as a high protein yoghurt or quark (a type of soft cheese). More on this in our full review.
This kefir has simple ingredients with only cow’s milk and live kefir and quark cultures.
Unfortunately they don’t state which specific strains of live cultures are included so we don’t know how many can be considered probiotic. Also, the cultures typically used to make quark (Lactococcus and Leuconostoc) are not usually classed as probiotic.
Unfortunately it gives no information on the actual amount of live cultures present (ie colony forming units).
It has very high levels of protein (12%), very low levels of fat (0.4%), moderate levels of sugar (3.5%) and good levels of calcium with 139mg per 100g.
Flavour
The texture is very thick and sticky. Given the extremely low fat, it isn’t very creamy.
The aroma is fairly subtle but not ideal - it is mainly of mild cheese with (and sorry for this) a touch of vomit characteristics.
The taste is somewhere between a very bland yoghurt and a very mild soft cheese. Unfortunately the unpleasant aspect to the aroma does come through a little on the aftertaste. The aftertaste also carries a surprisingly acidic tang (which seems out of balance) and some chalkiness.
Overall, the taste is quite poor and flawed in multiple ways. It certainly doesn’t taste anything like a traditional kefir.
Cost and availability
You can buy a 250g tub from Sainsburys for £2.
Summary
Rating: 2.5 stars out of 5.
Verdict: Biotiful protein kefir is not what you would expect from a kefir. It is more like a thick yoghurt with good health measures but a poor taste.
Pros
simple, natural ingredients
very low in fat
very high in protein
good calcium levels
Cons
is nothing like a kefir in terms of texture or taste
flavour is poor
needs more information on the strains of live cultures present
needs more information on the actual number of bacteria present (ie colony forming unit count)
Read our full review of Biotiful protein kefir.
Health benefits of dairy kefir
Probiotics
These are the beneficial living microbes you are ingesting when you drink kefir. Kefir generally has a greater diversity of microbes than most fermented foods.
Probiotics offer many health benefits including:
better digestive health
better immune function
reduced inflammation
reduced allergies
better nutrient absorption
Postbiotics
In simple terms, postbiotics are essentially beneficial things probiotics produce during fermentation. These include short-chain fatty acids which nourish our gut lining and may help reduce symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.
Reduced lactose
Because of the strong fermentation of milk sugars by a diverse range of bacteria and yeasts, kefir is better for people with some degree of lactose intolerance compared to milk or yoghurt.
Vitamins and minerals
Dairy kefir retains the key vitamins and minerals present in milk such as:
Calcium – essential for bone strength and muscle function
Phosphorus – important for bones and energy production
Magnesium – supports nerve and muscle function
Potassium – helps regulate blood pressure and fluid balance
Sodium – maintains fluid and nerve function
Iodine – essential for thyroid function
Zinc – supports immunity and wound healing
Selenium – antioxidant and supports thyroid health
Vitamin A – supports vision and immune function
And through fermentation, kefir increases certain vitamin content compared to fresh milk or adds some vitamins not present in this milk:
B2 (riboflavin) is boosted by microbial activity during fermentation. This supports energy metabolism and helps reduce tiredness.
B1 (thiamine), B6 (pyridoxine), B9 (folate) are synthesised in extra amounts by lactic acid bacteria. These support energy release, brain function and red blood cell formation.
Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) may increase slightly depending on the microbial strains. This supports nerve function and blood cell production.
Vitamin K2 (menaquinone) is not present in fresh milk but is produced during fermentation. This supports bone strength and cardiovascular health.
Bioavailability of minerals (calcium, magnesium, phosphorus) is improved by fermentation as inhibitors like phytic acid are reduced. These support bone health, energy production and muscle function.
Our favourite gut health products in the UK
YourBiology Gut+ probiotic not only offers 10 strains of probiotics, but also includes two types of prebiotics, three digestive enzymes and vitamin D for gut health support. All this means it offers a lot more benefits for gut health and general health than most probiotic supplements do
Healthpath gut health test is the UK’s most comprehensive gut health test. It tests over 100 biomarkers, checks your digestion and immune response, analyses leaky gut and provides a clear and understandable report on your microbiome
YourBiology SuperGreens+ is a superfood and greens supplement which makes it very easy to get a huge amount of nutrition - vitamins, minerals, amino acids, fibre, polyphenols and more - in one glass. Great for supporting gut health, skin health, energy, mental clarity and immunity.
Read more about the best gut health products in the UK.
Factors we consider in our ratings
The factors we consider when doing a review (and the weightings of each of these) may vary depending on the product we are testing, but here are the key general factors we consider when we settle on a rating for a product.
Health benefits
We find out how the product will be good for your health and outline the benefits for you in simple language. This often involves doing research so you don’t have to. We often link to scientific studies or articles summarising scientific findings so you can dig deeper if you want to.
Things detrimental to health
We want to highlight where a product might include something bad for your health - even if it might be good for you in another way. This could include such things as pointing out certain additives it contains or high sugar levels.
How it’s made
This will vary depending on the product, but we want to see a quality process for making it and quality ingredients. For example, we want to see a kombucha traditionally fermented with lots of different microbial strains and we want to see a yoghurt made with fresh milk and not milk powders.
Price
While we expect quality products to be more expensive, they still have to be priced within reason. On the other side of things, a product which is priced very competitively will get a ratings boost based on the value it provides.
Flavour
For some products flavour won’t be a factor (eg probiotic tablets), but for others, like yoghurt or kimchi, flavour is a key aspect because these products are made to be enjoyed as well as being healthy! We will try to be as subjective as possible and describe the flavour in detail so you can get an idea of whether you would like it or not.
Your reviewer
This article was written by Travis, the founder of this website, long-time gut-health enthusiast, science nerd and passionate kombucha maker of over 10 years!
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