Choosing Between Plain Yogurt and Yogurt Culture for DIY Yogurt Making

Whether you're a seasoned yogurt maker or a novice, choosing the right starter to use in your yogurt maker can significantly impact the final product. This article explores the differences between using plain yogurt and a yogurt culture as a starting point for your homemade yogurt.

Using Plain Yogurt as a Starter

When you opt for plain yogurt as a starter, you're leveraging the live active cultures that it contains. While this method is convenient and generally effective, there are notable considerations.

Probiotics

Probiotics: Commercial plain yogurts often contain live active cultures, making them a viable option for fermenting milk. However, the specific strains of bacteria can vary widely between different brands and types of yogurt, leading to inconsistent results.

Flavor and Texture

Using a yogurt with distinct flavors or textures can directly influence the taste and mouthfeel of your homemade yogurt. If the store-bought yogurt is tangy or creamy, your end product is likely to reflect those characteristics, providing a familiar taste.

Consistency

A downside to using store-bought yogurt as a starter is the potential for inconsistent results. Different yogurts can have varying bacterial profiles and strengths, which might affect the final consistency of your homemade yogurt.

Using a Yogurt Culture as a Starter

On the other hand, yogurt cultures are designed to contain specific strains of bacteria, providing more control over the fermentation process.

Specific Strains

Specific Strains: Yogurt cultures typically include known strains like Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus. This ensures a consistent and predictable fermentation, leading to a more reliably flavored and textured yogurt.

Higher Quality Control

Higher Quality Control: Cultures are often more concentrated and may include additional strains that enhance both flavor and health benefits. This concentration can result in a thicker, creamier yogurt that is often smoother and more luxurious.

Customization

Customization: Using a yogurt culture allows for more customization. You can choose cultures with specific characteristics, such as those that produce thicker yogurt or have unique flavors.

Summary

In conclusion, while using plain yogurt for your yogurt maker is convenient and can produce good results, it comes with variability due to the differing bacterial strains. In contrast, using a dedicated yogurt culture offers more consistency and precise control over the fermentation process, leading to a more reliable and tailored yogurt production.

For optimal results, many home yogurt makers prefer using a yogurt culture for a more dependable and customized yogurt experience. However, any live culture yogurt will inoculate the milk with the proper bacteria, and you can choose based on your personal taste preferences.