How to Make Yogurt Starter
Making your own yogurt is a wonderful, healthful way to incorporate dairy into your diet. In order to make homemade yogurt, you will first need a yogurt starter. You can buy yeast cultures, but why go through the trouble when making your own starter is so easy? Here’s an easy recipe to use when you make your next batch of homemade yogurt.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup Raw Cow’s Milk
- Cardamom Pods
- Thermometer
- Glass Measuring Cup
- Glass Bottle for storing starter
Step One
Heat the milk to 120 degrees. Pour milk into clean container.
Step Two
Break one large cardamom pod in half and place both halves in milk until completely submerged. If you have trouble finding pods (as I did), use 20 cardamom seeds instead.
Step Three
Use a whisk or spoon to push the seeds or pods under milk until completely submerged. Do NOT stir the mix as this may hinder the curdling process.
Step Four
Cover with cheesecloth or towel. Keep in a warm place (on the counter is fine as long as your home is around 70 degrees. Wait for it to curdle in 10-14 hours (I usually just wait overnight).
Step Five
Check the yogurt starter to ensure it has curdled properly. The smell should not be sour or pungent, but sweet. It should have thick curdles as well.
Step Six
Once the starter has curdled properly pour the mixture into a bowl and remove the pods and/or seeds.
Step Seven
Pour the yogurt starter into a clean container with a screw-tight top. Store in a refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.
That’s all, fellow homesteaders! Did you enjoy my homemade yogurt starter recipe? Let us know in the comments section below what you thought of this yogurt starter. Do you have a favorite yogurt starter recipe that’s a staple on your homestead? Share it with us and we’ll give it a shot. We love doing DIY homesteading projects and becoming more self-reliant by learning more about how everything works around the homestead. That’s why Homesteading was created. We want all folks looking to lead a self-sufficient life, either on a homestead or in an urban environment, to come together and learn from each other! Of course, we welcome your help in creating a community of homesteaders. Come and share your homesteading tips and ideas, recipes and expect the best advice on self-reliance and homesteading trials from our team of long-time homesteaders, self-reliant wilderness, and preparedness experts. Want to write for Homesteading? Shoot us an e mail and make sure to stay in touch on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest!
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