Myths and Legends

Kefir is known to have been used for thousands of years in the regions around Tibet and in the Caucasus region between the Caspian and Black Sea.  Historical figures who have added to the mystique of kefir include Genghis Khan, who is said to have called it the “champagne of milks”.  Marco Polo mentioned kefir in the chronicles of his travels, the product being used on the route known as the Silk Road.

The myth supposedly bringing kefir first to Russia and then to the world begins with the coveting of the longevity of people in the Caucasus.  There are various scenarios, but the general story is reasonably consistent.  Early in the 1900’s some Russian physicians believing that kefir could cure certain diseases and increase longevity, persuaded the Moscow Dairy Company to obtain kefir grains from the tribes of the Caucasus. However, people from the region guarded the grains so zealously, that it was impossible to buy them directly.  A scheme was hatched, whereby a beautiful woman, Irina Sakharova, was sent to the court of Prince Bek-Mirza to entice kefir grains from the prince.  Things did not go as planned, and Irina found herself being forced to marry the prince against her wishes.  A rescue mission was mounted.  Whilst it was successful, Irina did not come away with any kefir grains.  On her return she presented a grievance to the Czar, who took matters in hand and ordered the prince to make retribution and compensate Irina for what she had endured.  

The outcome was that Irina was given 10 pounds of kefir grains, and in due course the Moscow Dairy Company began to manufacture kefir. However, it was not until the 1930’s that kefir was produced on a large scale, as it took several decades for the commercial process of making kefir to be perfected. Milk kefir was introduced to the western world in the 1960’s. Momojo was developed in 2019, but held back from the market until 2022 due the effects of COVID.