MAKE YOGURT AND YOGURT STARTER AT HOME WITH GREEN CHILLY

Yogurt is a commonly used food item and is loved by many. It is a fermented milk product and is usually prepared with cow’s milk. Adding yogurt to your diet can benefit you in many ways as it is rich in nutrients and is very good for one’s general health.

Whether it is preventing the risk of heart disease or osteoporosis to successfully promoting weight management, yoghurt can be the right food to aid all these issues.

A lot of people often buy yoghurt from the store, but did you know that yoghurt can also be made at home? Yes, it is possible and this article will tell you how!

What is a yogurt starter and how to make it at home?

Yoghurt is a fermented food and is made using friendly bacteria. Therefore, for the yoghurt to form, a certain amount of friendly bacteria is required.

Yoghurt starters help the yoghurt form, as they have a blend of lactose consuming bacteria that converts the milk in the yoghurt starter to form lactic acid. Each yoghurt starter will have a different blend of bacteria and therefore, each bowl of yoghurt you make will vary in flavour and thickness.

Here’s how you can make a yogurt starter at home:

For this recipe, I will be using green chillies to help the milk form into yoghurt. Green chilly stems help the bacteria lactobacillus form and set the yoghurt. They help in the fermentation process.

Ingredients:

2 green chillies (with stalk)

1/4 cup milk

Method:

Wash the green chillies thoroughly and then drop them into a bowl (glass bowl preferably, with a lid) and add in the milk. Make sure that the milk you use is warm and not cold. Cover this mixture with a lid and let it sit aside in a warm place for 12 to 14 hours or until it thickens and sets. (Make sure to keep it in a warm place or else the yogurt will take more time to set.)

Then, once the mixture has set, you will notice that the chillies have risen to the top. Remove the chillies and discard and what remains is the yoghurt starter.

Tip: It is advisable to keep the container in a warm place so that the yoghurt starter sets faster.

How to use the yoghurt starter to make yogurt?

Ingredients:

2 tsp of the homemade yoghurt starter

2 cups cow’s milk

Method:

In a heating pan, boil the milk and once boiled, let it sit until it is lukewarm and ready to use.

Then, into a bowl (glass bowl preferably), add in the homemade yoghurt starter and then pour in the lukewarm milk. Stir this mixture well until well mixed and then cover it with a lid and set it aside for 4 to 8 hours or until it sets.

Tip: Store the yoghurt mixture in a warm place, as it will help thicken and set the yoghurt faster.

In case you guys are wondering as to what to do with the remaining yoghurt starter, well it sure doesn’t get wasted and can be used in the preparation of any savoury dish.