Lake Atitlan, Panajachel, Guatemala

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Life in Guatemala A to Z: Yogurt

I left a lot of my prized possessions when we moved to Guatemala. Didn't even store them, just sold or gave away. But one thing I saved and brought with me was my yogurt maker and strainer. And am I glad I did, because the Greek yogurt I love isn't available and any other kind is outrageously expensive.

The milk I use is boxed. At first the yogurt wasn't turning out. It didn't get thick and there was too much whey left when I strained it. I finally discovered the problem was the milk. I wasn't checking the label and had bought milk mixed with other ingredients-- sugar, water, vegetable oil, etc. As soon as I corrected the problem and bought only leche entero, or "entirely milk and nothing else" the problem was solved.

It had never occurred to me that what was labeled as milk might have other ingredients added to stretch the product!

Here you see my treasured yogurt maker, along with the 2 boxes of milk I add, along with a tablespoon of yogurt. It stays overnight at the ideal temperature and in the morning is ready to strain. It is so good blended with fresh papaya and mango!

(For more details on making homemade Greek yogurt, see my website.)



16 comments:

  1. I miss yogurt. Every now and then I find vegan yogurt, but not quite the same.
    Karen, I sent you an email last week - did you receive it, or did it go off into the wilds?

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  2. I understand your need for yogurt in the morning. I am addicted also.

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  3. Oh, I do love Greek yogurt. I wasn't fond of it the first time I tried it but I've tried several brands and have come to seriously love it. I wonder if making it myself would save money? What drove you to make your own, I'm wondering? I'll be going over to check out the website you listed.

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    1. Susan, It will save you a ton of money. Unless you have an oven that sets at 100 degrees, however, you'll probably need to invest in a yogurt maker. The one I show here makes a quart of yogurt once it's strained. Even buying the maker, you'll save money over time and best of all, get exactly the kind of yogurt you like whenever you want it.

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  4. Adding stuff to make the milk go farther is cheap!

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  5. I've never heard of adding stuff to milk to make it go further.

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  6. So much stuff is added to milk these days I am suprised from all the additives in food and drinks that we don't have gills and a third eye that glows. I have to say i am not a yogurt fan-I know, i know-good for you and all that but it sits in my stomach and I feel nauseous and burp yogurt for a few hours so not my thing but glad you make your own!

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  7. I don't think I would venture into making my own yogurt. Luckily many varieties are easily available to me.

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  8. I tried mild without Lactose--did not work. But I do love yogurt, especially Greek yogurt. Yours sounds yummy, glad you found a way to make it.

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  9. Stretched Milk- this just entered the lexicon of the many milks we call milk that aren't real milk. (Think coconut, or almond, or soy.)

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  10. How strange that milk is blended with other products to make it go further, it's one of the few products (except longlife milk) that we expect to be pure in the UK!
    Sophie
    Sophie's Thoughts & Fumbles - A to Z Ghosts
    Fantasy Boys XXX - A to Z Drabblerotic

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    1. Sophie, Same as in the US. I struggled with the yogurt until one day it hit me, and I read the label, got the right milk and problem solved. Even the "fresh milk" in a jug in the refrigerated section didn't work, because it had water, soy products, sugar-- no wonder it tasted weird!

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  11. I really had no idea there was such a thing as a yogurt maker!

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  12. A lesson learned. Always read the labels. Enjoy your yogurt.

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  13. Most of my family members love yogurt, not me though...
    I tried and tried, but could never develop a taste for it.

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  14. Hi Karen .. well I'm glad you found the problem and are now yoghurt full again!

    Cheers Hilary

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