How to Make Yogurt Starter

After you try homemade yogurt, you will never want the store-bought kind again. It tastes good, plus it feels good to eat something healthy that you created. Making a yogurt starter isn't as difficult as you may think. In fact, you could actually use plain yogurt from the grocery store as a starter instead of making your own. However, if you are the adventurous type and love to make your own homemade food, try the easy yogurt starter here.

Things You'll Need

• 1 qt. milk
• Dry culture
• Cooking thermometer
• 3 qt. sized jars with lids
• Cooler

Instructions

1. Pour the milk into a stainless steel pot and heat until it is 185 degrees. You can use whole milk, skim or soy. However, organic milk will produce the best flavor and nutrition to the yogurt.

2. Allow the milk to cool until it is about 110 degrees.

3. Stir the dry culture into the milk as directed by the manufacturer. Each culture manufacturer's measurements are different, so read the label before mixing it into the milk.

4. Pour the mixture into a quart-sized jar with a tight-fitting lid. Glass jars work best, however, plastic containers can be used in a pinch.

5. Place two jars of hot water into a cooler. Add the jar of yogurt starter to the cooler and close the lid. Allow it to sit in the closed cooler for 4 to 6 hours.

6. Place the yogurt starter into the refrigerator after the curds have formed. Enjoy the yogurt cold with honey, fruit or maple syrup.

References

• How to make your own yogurt, kefir, chevre

Resources

• Yogourmet freeze: Dried yogurt starter/culture