Freshly made yogurt has ample amount of beneficial bacteria to kill harmful viruses. The same benefits can’t be obtained from yogurt that has been sitting on the shelves catching dust! It’s suggested that you go for freshly made yogurt than commercial yogurt.
The health benefits are also reduced in store-bought yogurt due to its lower bacteria level. Commercial yogurt is fermented for a short duration using thickening agents. This technique makes them look as if they were fermented for a long duration. Doctors suggest using freshly made yogurt that’s fermented at least for 24 hours.
Making your own yogurt can save you a lot of money. Furthermore, you don’t have to worry about the numerous chemical additives used to increase the shelf life and taste of your yogurt. It’s a win-win for both value for money and your health. The two types of yogurt culture base for a familiar taste and consistency are thermophilic and mesophilic culture. Warm temperature is the main requisite of a thermophilic culture, while mesophilic culture can be obtained at room temperature.
The two cultures in the making of a yogurt
The store-bought yogurt is usually made with thermophilic culture. It reduces the growth of unwanted bacteria as a result of warm temperature. Thermophilic culture’s ability to grow faster is an added advantage over the mesophilic culture.
A temperature between 105 and 115 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal for the development of thermophilic cultures. Mesophilic yogurt cultures, on the other hand, are formed at room temperature. The typical room temperature required for its formation ranges from 70 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit. It takes twice as longer than thermophilic yogurt.
If you want a thick-textured yogurt or Greek-style yogurt, thermophilic starters might be the preferred option. You’ll be pleased with mesophilic cultures if you want to have runny yogurt that’s easy to prepare. Depending on your need you can choose either of the cultures. Rest assured, you’ll have a quality yogurt free from unwanted ingredients at a minimal cost. You’ll have the freedom to choose your favorite flavors and fruits.
The initial yogurt-making process can be performed with standard kitchen equipment. The fermentation stage is the tricky part of the yogurt preparation because it requires controlled heat for long durations. An electric yogurt maker comes to your rescue, since you can avoid the guesswork and leave the rest to the yogurt maker!
A review of the different yogurt makers can also be of great help. The below guide can help you choose your yogurt makers:
Design and the capacity of your yogurt maker
Capacity and the ease of maintenance are factors to watch out for while considering the design of your yogurt maker. If you plan to produce a large quantity of homemade yogurt, don’t overlook the commercial yogurt makers which are designed for bulk production. There are yogurt makers with small jars to accommodate multiple flavors. It’s suggested that you consider your preferences and shop accordingly.
A yogurt maker’s temperature control and pricing
Controlled temperature and fermentation time required are important while purchasing your yogurt maker. Live bacterial cultures can survive only within certain temperature ranges. Once the temperature is beyond the threshold, the yogurt becomes thick and tastes sharp. Precise timing and meticulous temperature levels in a controlled environment decide the quality of your homemade yogurt. Consider the temperature and timing options available in all the contending yogurt makers before purchasing your yogurt maker.
Some of the budget-priced yogurt makers provide a stable and controlled temperature and a preferred environment for fermentation. The mid-range yogurt makers provide improved timing features and a water bath, which is not the case with budget-priced models. Furthermore, you must transfer the finished product to a cold storage unit.
The high-end yogurt makers provide masterful temperature controls. You needn’t transfer the finished product to a cold storage; the self-contained refrigeration in high-end yogurt maker enables it to be fully automatic.
Review the best available yogurt makers to help you choose the right yogurt maker. You can either compromise with the limited features for a lesser price, or go for a high-end product with additional automatic features.