The Real Difference Between Store-bought and Homemade Yogurts

Did you know that yogurt once saved a king from a gastrointestinal ailment?

Yes, you have read it right!

In 1542 BCE, the French king, Francois I, was suffering badly from a gastrointestinal disorder until his doctor treated him with yogurt.

The chapters of History say that yogurt has been considered an effective treatment for GI (gastrointestinal) issues from earlier centuries.

Yogurt contains protein, vitamins, calcium, and probiotics. Therefore, it offers great nutritional value. Consuming yogurt daily can improve your digestive health as well as your teeth, bones, and immune health.

Now, the question arises whether you should go for store-bought yogurt or make it on your own at home.

Since there are varieties of yogurt available in the market, their advertisements or tempting offers may influence you to purchase them.

However, are they really worth buying? Are store-bought yogurts better options than a homemade yogurt starter?

Let’s see the difference between store-bought and homemade yogurts.

Store-bought Yogurt vs. Homemade Yogurt

The point of eating yogurt can vary from person to person. Some individuals may make it a part of their regular diet for its nutritional value, while others may have it as a delightful dessert followed by their meals.

Store-bought Yogurt

With a growing dairy industry, many yogurt options are available in the United States. Today, you will find yogurts with various brands and flavors available in the US market.

You probably have tasted many of them. However, do you know how store-bought yogurt impacts your health and lifestyle? Let’s find out the pros and cons of eating store-bought yogurts.

Pros

• Readymade or store-bought yogurts from various brands come in different flavors and could be more tasty than traditional yogurts.
• They are easily available in the market.
• It’s a solution for your immediate cravings.

Cons

• Most store-bought products are heavily processed, which often cuts down their nutritional value.
• Packaged or frozen yogurts available in the market mostly include higher amounts of calories, salt, added sugar, and fat.
• Flavored yogurt, which you find delicious, might include unhealthy preservatives and artificial sweeteners.
• Many store-bought yogurts are processed with thickeners, like gelatin, pectin, and powdered milk.

Homemade Yogurt

With the help of the right yogurt starter, it’s incredibly easy to make yogurt at home. The best part of homemade yogurt is that you can use non-dairy milk, nut milk, or cow or goat milk, as per your choice.

The process is very simple-

• First, you need to pour the milk into a pot and heat it until it reaches around 80℃. It will destroy the unwanted bacteria in the milk.

• Then, let the milk cool down to 50 ℃ to prevent the death of helpful probiotics. You can place the pot in a cold water bath to speed up the cooling process.

• Next, it’s time to add your yogurt starter. Make a smooth paste of 1 cup of cooled milk and 3 tablespoons of starter culture in a separate bowl. After that, pour the mixture into the remaining milk and stir it well.

• Then, keep the mixture at room temperature for 7 to 9 hours and let it be fermented. Cover the bowl tightly.\

• After the fermentation period, you can refrigerate the yogurt and make it thicker.

• Finally, your delicious homemade yogurt is ready to serve. Instead of adding artificial flavors, you can add fresh fruit slices of your choice for a variation.

Pros

• Homemade yogurt is a healthier alternative.

• By making your yogurt at home, you can avoid consuming unhealthy preservatives, like color additives or added sugar.

• You can make yogurt using dairy and non-dairy milk with a yogurt starter.

• A good starter culture contains probiotics that help improve digestion.

• As it’s a homemade yogurt, you don’t need to worry about its quality and hygiene.

Cons

• Since making yogurt at home takes time, you may have to wait a little to enjoy its delightful taste.

• Due to improper processing, homemade yogurt often turns out watery or sour. Individuals preparing homemade yogurt are advised to read instructions properly before jumping into the yogurt-making process.

Choosing the Best Yogurt Starter for Homemade Yogurt

If you want to have yogurt that is delicious and more significantly, has proper nutritional value, we’d suggest you go for homemade yogurt.

In the above section, we have discussed how easily you can make your yogurt at home using milk and a yogurt starter. Also, homemade yogurt does not compromise taste and nutrition as well.

Consider choosing a starter culture that contains live cultures or probiotics, such as L. Bulgaricus, L. Casei, and S. Thermophilus. These probiotics are certain types of good bacteria that help improve digestion and overall health.

Let us know which yogurt type is better according to you!