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Original poster

Anyone ever made yoghurt?

49 replies

MrsPennyapple · 14/02/2013 15:51

I know you used to be able to get yoghurt makers years ago but haven't seen one in a long time. We get through loads of yoghurts as DD loves them, and I thought that I could save some money if I could make my own. I also make jam so could make nice fruity yoghurts.

I'm just wondering if anyone else does this, and if so, do I need a yoghurt maker, or is there another way to do it? Does it work out cheaper than buying them? (At least there would be fewer additives, even if not any cheaper.) Am I likely to poison everyone or is it pretty safe to do?

OP posts:
Eskino · 14/02/2013 16:22

Yes! I love it, bought a yoghurt maker on amazon. Cost about £25 I think.

It's a bit cheaper than the bought stuff as I get 7 pots of natural yoghurt from 1 pot of natural yog (as starter) and a carton of uht milk. Then you can use one of the pots you made to start off the next lot iyswim.

I do it because its full of live cultures and it tastes bloody lovely. Bought yoghurt is full of added ingredients I prefer not to eat.

Moominsarehippos · 14/02/2013 16:24

www.lakeland.co.uk/3440/Electric-Yoghurt-Maker

It's on special offer too! I have this one and it works well.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 14/02/2013 16:25

Look at Easiyo - it's a really stupid proof system and ridiculously easy - no faff at all

Moominsarehippos · 14/02/2013 16:27

Don't you need to buy their sachet things though? I just bung some uht milk and a tablespoon of live yoghurt in mine and off I go. It does need to be left somewhere where it won't be knocked (so ontop of the dishwasher wasn't a great idea) or in a draught.

Original poster
MrsPennyapple · 14/02/2013 17:29

Thanks, will check out those links.

OP posts:
PavlovtheCat · 14/02/2013 17:35

Hugh Fernley-Whittingstall has a recipe for making yoghurt, without using a machine etc. I will try to find the recipe for you as can't recall it in detail but its something like, use a spoon of live yoghurt, milk and some milk powder, heat to a certain temp, stick in a thermos to cool, leave overnight, then done. Then, to make the next batch, keep back a spoon of the remaining 'new' live yoghurt and start the process again.

PavlovtheCat · 14/02/2013 17:35

Oh, there, as moomin said sorry x-posts! add some of his fridge jam or home made fruit coulis and perfect breakfast!

PavlovtheCat · 14/02/2013 17:39

here is Hugh's easy peasy recipe I am exceptionally lazy so never get around to it, but have just got into yoghurt and fruit so going to try it myself as I am eating my body weight in plain yoghurt right now Grin

Original poster
MrsPennyapple · 14/02/2013 23:27

Just been looking at reviews on Amazon, a lot of people mention dried milk powder, does everyone use it?

OP posts:
bigbadbarry · 14/02/2013 23:31

I've made yogurt using the Moro recipe which I CBS to go and look up right now but basically goes: boil up some milk until it has reduced by 1/3. Let it cool (I like this bit) until you can put your finger in for a count of 10 then stir I some live yogurt and some double cream, leave it somewhere warm for about 8 hours until it sets then keep in fridge. Is yummy.

Anja1Cam · 14/02/2013 23:39

I've had the lakeland 'bulk' yoghurt maker (as linked above) for at least 15 years and it's great, it's used several times a week. Use some shop bought 'live' yoghurt (yeo valley probiotic or similar) to start, mix 1tablespoon of that with uht milk, put in yoghurt maker for 8 hours, pop in fridge and hey presto, 1 litre of yoghurt for the cost of 1 carton of cheap Aldi UHT milk. Then use a tablespoon of that for the next batch. After a while you may decided you prefer to refesh your culture with a new starter pot...
There are a few extra tweaks I do but in essence that's it.

Anja1Cam · 14/02/2013 23:41

Ps forgot to say - the 'machine' just keeps it at a constant 40 degrees C - you may have other ways of doing that, my sister does it in her oven that has a special low setting for this purpose.

Moominsarehippos · 14/02/2013 23:48

I use live goat yoghurt to make nice thick yoghurt. I tried using dried milk powder (someone suggested it) but that didn't make it thicker. The lakeland machine is great, or you could just pop the milk and yoghurt in a thermos next to your radiator/airing cupboard overnight.

wannabedomesticgoddess · 14/02/2013 23:55

Does it have to be UHT milk or can normal milk be used?

How long will a batch keep in the fridge?

Moominsarehippos · 15/02/2013 00:03

If you use normal milk you have to boil it amd bugger about getting the temp right. With uht you just pour it in the tub, mix the live stuff in and bob's your uncle.

Not sure how long it keeps - it never stays around that long! I assume a week or so?

dikkertjedap · 15/02/2013 00:06

It is very simple. First you boil full fat milks for several minutes, vigorous boiling which kills all the bacteria. Then you let it cool to about 60 degrees and add a large tablespoon of bioyogurt. You leave this for about 3-4 hours at 60 degrees. Then quickly cool - I put it in a bowl in a sink with cold water with ice cubes. Then put in fridge.

madwomanacrosstheroad · 15/02/2013 00:07

Just use ordinary milk. I used to wrap the bowl of yoghurt in a large blanket and put it in the airing cupboard. Just try how long it will be okay in thr fridge. You ll know by the smell and taste when its off. It will not do you any harm.

wannabedomesticgoddess · 15/02/2013 00:07

Its only DD1 and I who would really eat it, so I doubt we would get through a litre in a few days. If it would keep a week it would be perfect.

Really considering buying that machine linked from Lakeland.

dikkertjedap · 15/02/2013 00:12

sorry, made a mistake, you should leave it at approx 45 degrees celcius not 60

erowid · 15/02/2013 02:07

Yoghurt makers: Am I right in assuming that after you have made your yoghurt using these methods, you could then just add some fruit then freeze it to make frozen yoghurt? or is there another fancy step involved somewhere to make frozen yoghurt?

erowid · 15/02/2013 02:10

Sorry that question makes me seem a little dumb Blush

What I mean is, do you need to add anything other than fruit like sugar or another sweetener specifically to make frozen yoghurt?

Einsty · 15/02/2013 04:25

I went through a stage of using dried milk powder and one tbs of Easiyo powder (can't remember proportions but could look them up). But TBH it had that powder taste which I found disgusting. This thread has inspired md to try again, with UHT this time

wannabedomesticgoddess · 15/02/2013 05:23

erowid

I really havent a clue, however, I did put yoghurt in the freezer once and it was in edible.

If you have an ice cream machine I would use that. If not, then I think you need to put the yoghurt into a shallowish container and keep going back every few hours and giving it a good beat to break up the ice crystals! I am not aware that you need to add anything to the yoghurt. Hopefully someone else can say for sure!

Forgetfulmog · 15/02/2013 07:12

Sorry to hijack, but just looking at the Lakeland yoghurt maker & it looks really good; does anyone know if I could use it to make yoghurt with, say, longlife coconut milk (not a huge fan of Soy)?

Moominsarehippos · 15/02/2013 07:18

Not sure if an ice cream maker would work. Some ice creams won't work anyway (like lemon curd ice cream, yuuuum) but I suppose the freeze-stir-freeze etc methos would work fine.

I really love the thick, tart yoghurt (like Bio 0% fat) but haven't managed to make mine as thick or tart.