How to Make Healthy Organic Yogurt at Home

Organic yogurt is high in calcium and often eaten alongside fruit.

Yogurt is a healthy dairy product first made by mankind thousands of years ago. Today it is enjoyed as a staple food in many different cultures; including Greek, Indian, and American. Yogurt is high in protein, calcium and can easily be adapted to fit into healthy smoothies or even baked dishes. Making organic yogurt requires patience, a good thermometer and organic milk and yeast.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• 4 cups of organic milk
• 1/2 cup organic starter yeast
• Large pot
• Candy thermometer
• Mason jars
• Wooden spoon

1. Pour the milk into your large pot and set it on the stove top. Attach your candy thermometer to the side of the pot.

2. Heat your organic milk up to 180 degrees Fahrenheit for one minute, stirring slowly. Remove heated milk from stove and cool to 115 degrees Fahrenheit.

3. Add your organic starter yeast to your milk. Stir your mixture and pour it into several mason jars.

4. Put each mason jar into the oven, and set your oven on to the lowest setting possible. Keep your mixture at 110 degrees Fahrenheit for 4 to 6 hours. Check the temperature of your mixture once every 15 minutes with your thermometer, if your oven temperature fluctuates.

5. Remove your yogurt when it has firmed up inside the mason jars. Refrigerate for several hours to cool down, then stir and enjoy.

Tips & Warnings

• One alternative way to keep your yogurt at 110 degrees Fahrenheit is to heat water up to 115 degrees Fahrenheit, pour that water into an insulated cooler, then keep your mason jars in that water for 4 to 6 hours.

• Do not consume yogurt or dairy products that smell bad, are yellowed or moldy, or are overly chunky. Consuming bad dairy can lead to serious illness.

References

• Discovery; "Make Your Own Yogurt"; Collin Dunn; December 6, 2007
• U.C. Claremont College; "Yogurt Making Illustrated"; David Fankhauser;