What’s special about Greek yogurt?
So is it from Greece ?
No. This yogurt is not from Greece, but was introduced to the world by a Greece firm named Fage. The other top Greek Yogurt producers like Chobani and Oikos followed the Fage path. Actually in Greece it’s called as straggisto.
What’s the difference between normal curd or yogurt and Greek Yogurt ?
Both Greek and regular yogurt are made from the same basic ingredients– milk and bacterial cultures. They even use the same bacterial culture namely Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus, for fermentation. The process changes after fermentation. To make yogurt mostly they strain off the whey once, whereas as to prepare the greek version the liquid is strained thrice, which gives thicker consistency and stronger flavors compared to regular yogurt. Since Greek yogurt is thicker with less water content, it has more protein than regular yogurt. But since the whey is completely drained off, this yogurt is devoid of sodium, carbohydrates, and calcium.
Protein content in a 178 ml serving:
Traditional Yogurt: 9 grams
Greek Yogurt 15 to 20 grams
Approximate amount of yogurt produced with 1.3Kg. of milk:
Traditional Yogurt: 1.3 Kg
Greek Yogurt : 453.5 gm
Health benefits of Greek Yogurt
- Since Greek yogurt is as it is rich in calcium and protein, eating Greek yogurt will help to improve bone health
- Research says that people eat less if they eat a meal that is high in protein. So if you are looking for food to help you lose weight, Greek yogurt is perfect
- Greek yogurt is rich with good bacteria. These good bacteria help to keep the gut healthy
- Greek yogurt may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and Blood pressure
How to make Greek yogurt at home?
If you are a master in making homemade curd or yogurt, this is going to be very easy for you. If you do not know check out this link to know the art of making perfect curd
List of Ingredients
- Full fat whole milk: 1 lt
- 4 tablespoon plain yogurt
How to make it
Add milk to a pan and boil it.
Switch it off and wait for it to become lukewarm.
Now add milk to a bowl and add the plain yogurt with live culture. Whisk it nicely.
You must ensure that the bowl stays at a slightly warmer temperature undisturbed for 6 hours. For this, you could keep it in an oven which has the temperature set to 40 degree Celsius or you could keep it wrapped in a blanket type of cloth
In case you don’t have oven, then try to find a warm and dry place to enhance the fermentation.
This process will give you plain yogurt.
To prepare Greek yogurt strain it through double layer of cheesecloth. Take it out and keep it in refrigerator for 2-3 hours to make it more thick
This Yogurt can last from 1-3 weeks.
Regarding recipes, you could choose your favorites from Google, based on whether you like sweet or spicy one. You can add to dessert, breakfast, make smoothies or add to pasta or whip up a quick spicy dip.
