Yogurt making

I happen to be very fond of yogurt.  None is available in this town, so I have tried various methods of making my own.  We can easily get through a litre of yogurt every day between the three of us, as we like to use it in cooking.

The first try I used powdered filled milk ("Alaska" brand) with some skimmed milk powder added.  I mixed it in water, about 1.5 litres, heated it to 180 deg F, and after letting it cool to 115 deg I added a teaspoon of Lactopafi (a kind of horrible health drink we can buy here), which I was hoping might contain suitable live bacilli.  I transferred all to a clean vacuum flask and after about eight hours I opened it to find and enjoy some excellent yogurt!  I was surprised.

I made another successful batch, and yet another using Yakult as a starter, but then things began to go wrong and I could never duplicate my first attempts successfully.  Instead of yogurt, I got cheesy curds and whey.

After three unsuccessful attempts, I gave up and decided to buy a yogurt maker.  I chose "Easiyo", and it came with a packet of milk powder and starter mixed.

This device is very simple and consists of an external insulating container, into which you pour boiling water.  You mix the powder with water to one litre in a separate inner container, which is closed tight and lowered part way into the hot water, then the lid is put on the external container and after 8 to 12 hours (8 hours for me, our climate is warm) there you have your yummy yogurt.  Couldn't be simpler.

The next day I made another batch from Alaska powder, skim milk and a spoonful of the first batch for starter.  That was successful, too.

I will just go on using previous batches as starters until that stops working, then I will try Yakult again.  If that doesn't work I will just buy another ready-mixed packet from the original vendor.