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Greek Yogurt

17/11/2023

I can guide you through the preparation of homemade Greek yogurt. Greek yogurt is known for being thicker and creamier than standard yogurt, thanks to the straining process that removes the whey.

Ingredients

  • 1 liter of whole milk (for a richer result you can opt for sheep’s milk, typical in Greek yogurt production)
  • 2 tablespoons of ready-made yogurt (make sure it contains live active cultures)

Preparation

  1. Heat the milk in a saucepan over medium-low heat until it reaches a temperature of about 85°C, making sure to stir occasionally to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
  2. Once the temperature is reached, remove the milk from the heat and let it cool down to about 45°C. You can use a kitchen thermometer to be precise.
  3. Take the 2 tablespoons of ready-made yogurt and mix them with a small amount of the warm milk in a bowl to dilute it, then incorporate this mixture back into the rest of the milk.
  4. Transfer the milk to a suitable container that can be covered, maintaining a constant temperature (around 45°C) to allow the cultures to work. This can be achieved using a yogurt maker, an oven with the light on, or wrapping the container in a thermal blanket for about 4-8 hours.
  5. After the incubation period, the yogurt will have thickened. At this point, to obtain the typical consistency of Greek yogurt, it will need to be strained. Place a fine-mesh strainer over a bowl and line it with a clean cotton cloth or cheesecloth.
  6. Pour the yogurt into the strainer and let it drain in the refrigerator for several hours (from 3 to 8 hours, depending on the desired consistency).
  7. Once strained, transfer the Greek yogurt to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator until ready to consume.

Your homemade Greek yogurt is ready! You can enjoy it plain, with fresh fruit, honey, nuts, or as a base for sauces and dressings.

Curiosity

Traditional Greek yogurt is a staple of the Mediterranean diet and is used in a variety of preparations, both sweet and savory, such as in the famous tzatziki sauce or as an accompaniment to spicy and aromatic dishes.

Greek Yogurt