Can You Use Probiotic Capsules To Make Yogurt

Q: Liz – I am interested in making my own dairy free yogurt, just am not certain what "starter" to get. Also, I would prefer not to use soymilk, but rather almond/ rice or coconut milk … any recipe ideas?

A: Alisa – Showtime, it is of import to sympathize what a "starter" is. Starter civilization itself is merely bacteria. It doesn't comprise ingredients such as milk. However, the bacteria must be grown on a medium, and that medium is frequently dairy. For most dairy-free or dairy-depression consumers, this will not be a problem, since the leaner or starter is completely removed from the medium earlier use. Still, if you are dealing with a severe milk allergy, have any concerns about trace dairy, or are strictly vegan and want to ensure in that location was no dairy used in the making of the product, look for a dairy-free or vegan label, and then contact the company to verify their processes.

Some may wonder, "Why even add the starter?" Starter culture is what gives yogurt its feature tang, and those friendly bacteria known as probiotics. While you can make a mock yogurt using something tart and acidic such equally lemon juice, it won't comprise a skilful dose of that good for you bacterium.

Now, there are 3 things that are commonly used equally a starter for homemade yogurt:

1) Another Yogurt – Y'all tin actually use a finished yogurt equally the starter for your next batch. If you've never made yogurt before, a shop-bought version will also piece of work. At that place are many brands of dairy-free yogurt currently on the market, including ones made from coconut milk, basics, oats, soy, and rice. Though these can exist expensive, yous only need one to get your first batch on the go. From there, you can simply save a niggling fleck of yogurt from your first batch and use it as a starter for the side by side. This concept works well, even if you do your first batch with one of the other two starter options …

two) Starter Culture – You can actually buy yogurt starters. Ther-Biotic (from Klaire Labs) and Custom Probiotics are touted as dairy-complimentary. Ther-Biotic is the make I use; you can read virtually their hypoallergenic policy hither (they reportedly exercise not utilise dairy media to create their probiotics). Of course, always check with the manufacturer to ensure ingredients or processes have not inverse.

3) Probiotic Capsules – Many brands of probiotics come up in capsule form. To use as a starter civilisation, simply open the capsules and pour the contents into your yogurt. Once again, probiotics are merely bacteria, and removed from their "host," which may exist milk-based. Nonetheless, where dairy is a strong business organisation, make sure to wait for brands labeled equally "dairy-gratuitous" or "vegan" and double bank check with the manufacturer on their processes.

Yous can technically apply any milk alternative to make yogurt, not simply soymilk, but the results will vary. Some won't thicken equally well as others. To compensate, some recipes employ thickeners like agar flakes, gelatin (not advisable for vegans/vegetarians), or starches. Also, college fat "milks" (such as coconut milk) will produce a creamier stop outcome. To note, homemade yogurt typically differs a bit from store-bought, only making it from scratch does allow you to tweak your yogurt to taste. Finally, if at first you don't succeed, definitely try once again. Very few people have complete success on their first batch of yogurt. It takes a bit of practise to get it correct, just once you do, the fiscal and edible rewards are great.

For dairy-complimentary yogurt recipes to piece of work from:

I accept recipes for Soy Yogurt, Coconut Yogurt, and Cashew Yogurt in Get Dairy Gratuitous: The Guide and Cookbook.
My friend Kelly has a great recipe posted for Cashew Milk Yogurt (pictured above) that uses probiotic capsules and offers a good guideline for how many you will need.
The wonderful Cybele Pascal outlines how to make Sunflower Seed Yogurt using homemade seed milk and a dairy-gratuitous probiotic sheathing.
Living Without Mag offers a recipe for Coconut Milk Yogurt using a starter culture.

Alisa Fleming is the founder of GoDairyFree.org and author of Go Dairy Free: The Guide and Cookbook for Milk Allergies, Lactose Intolerance, and Casein-Free Living . In add-on to her ain dairy-gratis lifestyle, Alisa has feel in catering to the needs of various special diets, including gluten-free, soy-free, egg-gratis, vegan, and multiple food allergies.

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