Your questions, answered

A light, lightly sparkling fermented drink made with water kefir grains, a living culture of bacteria and yeasts, plus water, sugar and fruit. It contains no milk, so it is dairy-free and vegan.

No. Despite the name, they are little translucent crystals of living culture, not cereal grains. We look after ours a bit like a sourdough starter, and they grow a little with every batch.

We combine our mother culture with triple-filtered water, organic sugar and organic figs, and let it ferment for about two days in our warm fermentation room. The grains are strained out for the next batch, then we add organic fruit, juices or herbs for a second ferment before bottling. See how PiQi is made.

Kombucha is fermented tea and usually tastes sharper. Milk kefir is fermented milk, so it is creamy and not dairy-free. Water kefir is lighter and fruitier, with a gentle sparkle.

Yes. We never pasteurise or heat treat it, so the cultures are still alive when you open the bottle. That is why it needs to stay chilled.

Lively, delicate and crisp, and not too sweet, a bit like a lightly tart natural soda. Each flavour has its own character, from honeyed Original Fig to zesty Ginger & Lemon.

No. Like other fermented drinks it contains a trace from natural fermentation. PiQi is under 0.5% ABV, typically around 0.3%. If you need to avoid it completely, PiQi is not for you.

Because PiQi is a raw ferment and is not 0.0%, we do not recommend it during pregnancy. Please speak to your doctor or midwife about fermented foods and drinks. Our guide to fermented drinks in pregnancy explains what the NHS advises.

If fermented drinks are new to you, start with a small glass and see how you feel. Many people enjoy a glass a day, on its own over ice or with a meal.

Yes, all our kefirs are vegan, dairy-free and certified organic. Matcha & Mint contains a little natural caffeine from the matcha; the other flavours are caffeine-free.

Absolutely. It makes a lovely base for mocktails, and works with spirits too if you fancy a cocktail. Try our kefir mojito, or browse more mocktails and recipes.

PiQi is alive, so it keeps fermenting slowly if it gets warm, which changes the flavour and builds up pressure. Keep it in the fridge until you are ready to enjoy it, and open it gently.

Unopened, PiQi keeps for up to 120 days in the fridge (see the date on the bottle). Once opened, our screw caps keep it sparkling for 3 to 5 days.

The 240ml bottle is one glass, perfect for lunchboxes or trying every flavour. The 480ml is two to three glasses to share or enjoy over a few days, and the best value per ml.

We ship chilled, Monday to Wednesday, in insulated packaging so it arrives fresh. UK delivery is included on every order.

Please order kefir by Monday 14 December. We send our last chilled parcels on Wednesday 16 December, so they arrive in good time and go straight into the fridge. Soaps and brewing kits can be ordered until Thursday 17 December, and gift cards arrive by email instantly, right up to Christmas Eve. Looking for ideas? See our Christmas gift guide.

Choose your case, pick how often you would like it, and save up to 15%. You can skip, swap flavours or pause at any time. Subscribers also get a little birthday treat in their box (add your birthday when you sign up to our emails).

Yes. Add a gift message in your basket and we will tuck it in with your order. You can send it to a different address at checkout.

You will find us at Daylesford, Whole Foods, Abel & Cole, Planet Organic, The Newt and more. See where to buy.

PiQi is a play on "piquant", a word for food that is zesty and stimulating to the senses. We first planned to spell it piqui, until we discovered that is already the name of a tropical fruit.