Kefir has the same pattern of amino acids as milk. Kefir proteins are easily digested
due to the action of acid coagulation and proteolysis of milk proteins. Free amino
acids found in milk are consumed during the first hours of fermentation by selective
bacteria. As the fermentation slows and the kefir enters the ripening stage, the proteolytic
activity of other microorganisms such as acetic acid bacteria and yeasts
causes more peptides and free amino acids to be formed in a manner seen in other
fermented milk products. (See Chapters 5 and 7 for more details on the hydrolysis
of milk proteins.)