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Yoghurt Makers Buying Guide

Who would've thought that you could use "bacteria" and "tasty" in the same sentence?  Well when it comes to yoghurt, the creepy microbes found crawling around in dirt also happen to aid in the creation a deliciously healthy snack  To make your own yoghurt all it takes is a bit of store-bought yoghurt starter some fresh milk and a handy yoghurt maker.

The Yoghurt Starter

This is the stuff that contains the bacteria needed to make the milk ferment and eventually turn to yoghurt.  The different varieties of starters contain both different types of bacteria and different amounts of bacteria.  Since certain types ferment faster than others (fast fermentation creates "drinkable" yoghurt while others create a thick Greek-style) or may contain important proteins, it's best to read the label carefully before buying.

The Yoghurt Make

When making your own yoghurt, you need to ensure that the temperature is kept steady and in an optimum range.  Yoghurt makers make this tricky science easy.  Plus, they also allow you to tweak your yoghurt until it's just right.  You can add artificial sweeteners if you're cutting back on the sugar, you can control the fat content and texture, and you can add any flavour under the sun.  Plus, making your own yoghurt can end up being cheaper, less wasteful and more energy efficient than buying those little store bought containers. So what are you waiting for?

How They Work

Even though there are a bunch of different styles and features when it comes to yoghurt makers, they all work in the same way--they turn a mixture of milk and starter into the yummy bacteria that makes yoghurt.

  • It takes four to eight hours for the heater to heat and turn the mixture.
  • The biggest difference among yoghurt makers are the containers. Some have several mini-containers that look like the cups you get at the grocery store. Others come with quart size bowls that aren't ideal if you're worried about double-dipping, but they do make cleaning a lot easier.
  • Since the starter is key to making great yoghurt, make sure the package says it contains "live cultures" or the whole process won't work.

Related Guides

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Waffle Makers

Food Dehydrators

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