Kefir (/kəˈfɪər/ kə-FEER; alternative spellings: kephir or kefier) is a fermented milk drink similar to a thin yogurt or ayran that is made from kefir grains, a specific type of mesophilic symbiotic culture. It is prepared by inoculating the milk of cows, goats, or sheep with kefir grains.
Kefir is a common breakfast, lunch or dinner drink consumed in countries of West Asia and Eastern Europe. Kefir is consumed at any time of the day, such as alongside European pastries like zelnik (zeljanica), burek and banitsa/gibanica, as well as being an ingredient in cold soups.