Homemade Yogurt **Updated** Cheese and Buttermilk

[ninjapoodles]

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AWESOME! I haven't even ever tried, since we've kept some alive since that original gift, but back when we started, you couldn't get them anywhere--this is good news!

Belinda

 

[ninjapoodles]

The link that Miss Prissy posted reminded me that I left an important step out when I posted before: After pouring off the kefir (straining the grains), you must rinse the grains with clean, cool water before using them again or storing them in the refrigerator. You also kind of have to adjust the amount in between batches, because the grains multiply with every batch of kefir they make.

I will say that, for me, yogurt tastes better than kefir, but some people love the stuff plain. If you like plain yogurt (I don't), you wlil probably like plain kefir. If I make it into a smoothie with fruit and stevia (or any sweetener), it's pretty good. I started making it for my dogs, and will also give it to the birds, now. It's supposed to have more live cultures than yogurt, is what I was told.

You can also use the grains to culture lowfat or skim milk, but you will have fewer active cultures and it may take longer. It's the fat that really makes the culture work.


Belinda

 

[FloridaChickenChick]

When kefir grains are washed with clean, cold water and dried on cloth or paper for 2 days at room temperature, they can then be stored in a dry, cool place for well over a year and still stay active. They can also be freeze-dried.

I found this information at kefir.org!​

 

[ninjapoodles]

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I found this information at kefir.org!

WHOA--I am going to have to get my head out of the kefir sand and learn new information. I had NO idea that you could store them DRY? I guess that's how people are shipping them now!

I never had anywhere to talk about stuff like this before, so I've just been chugging along since about 1996 doing things the same old way...

This is incredibly good news.

Belinda

 

[MissPrissy]

I found someone near and he is going to mail me some grains Monday. Some thing new for me!

 

[FloridaChickenChick]

Ninjapoodles, in reading at that site, the dry grains take longer to start working. It says they need 4-7 days in milk before they start working...not sure since I really know NOTHING about this, so you might want to go take a look.

I'm looking forward to trying this!

 

[ninjapoodles]

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You might like it, because you might get more bang for your buck, as far as culturing power and man-hours are concerned. You might save the yummy yogurt for your family and keep kefir working to feed the animals! That's kind of what we do, except I've never made yogurt.

 

[MissPrissy]

You need to make our yogurt!

 

[TundraChick]

Miss Prissy,

I have made 3 qts of Yogurt and it is OH SO yummy! Thanks so much for the idea. I would have never thought.

I was wondering if anyone has tried it with reconstituted dry milk and how it turned out. Trying to save money and dry milk is much cheaper.

 

[ninjapoodles]

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I *do* need to! I guess I just don't like yogurt enough to ever have been so inspired, but my daughter LOVES the stuff. I eat some every day, but I'm practically holding my nose and choking it down! Must try for some quality ingredients.