anybody perfected making coconut yogurt

[sPJPPp]

I love the stuff, but its soo expensive. I've tried a few times with probiotics and thermenting without much luck. Anyone perfected it? I just get a layer of fat and water, not thick and creamy

[angstybaby]

I wouldn't say i've perfected it but it didn't separate.

i put 2 cans of waitress coconut milk in the slow cooker on low for 2.5 hours, then turned it off. 3 hours later i added some live coconut yoghurt, some maple syrup, stirred it in, then sprinkled 2 teaspoons of agar flakes on (don't stir). wrap the cooker in a towel and leave for 8+ hours.

it was quite runny but was definitely yoghurt and didn't taste overwhelmingly coconutty, which is handy as my DD doesn't actually like coconut!

i'm still working on it...

[YelloDraw]

I love coconut yog! Let me know if you perfect it.

[puffinpants]

Angstybaby- can I ask, when you say live coconut yoghurt do you mean the normal coconut yoghurt you can buy at waitrose? Or any specific one?

[GreatPointIAgreeWithYouTotally]

Can't you just add creamed coconut to homemade yoghurt? I just put some coconut cream left over from a curry in with my oats/nut mix with normal yoghurt today and it tasted coconutty but not too much.

[YelloDraw]

Can't you just add creamed coconut to homemade yoghurt? I just put some coconut cream left over from a curry in with my oats/nut mix with normal yoghurt today and it tasted coconutty but not too much.

I think the idea is it is dairy free, which normal yog isn't.

[FlindersKeepers]

You can't really culture from bought coconut yogurt, as the culture doesn't live long enough. If you can use a live milk yogurt culture then great.
If you need a non-milk starter, then buy the cultures from Amazon and store in the freezer until needed.
When I make a batch, I use the oven light to maintain heat - it takes much longer than milk to culture. For thicker yogurt, use agar agar or place the unopened cans of coconut milk in the fridge for a few hours then open the tin from the other end - you'll be able to remove the water as the coconut cream will have solidified at the top of the tin.
Adding a tiny bit of coconut sugar helps to feed the culture too.

[FlindersKeepers]

Coconut yogurt also firms up a lot after being well chilled.
This is the culture I use LaVita yogurt culture.