Homemade Yogurt & Kefir - by Gianaclis Caldwell (Paperback)

About the Book

This guide reveals step-by-step techniques for using a variety of milks, both animal and plant, to make classic yogurt, kefir, and other specialty fermented dairy products including Icelandic Skyr, Asian Koumiss, and Danish Ymer.

Book Synopsis

With probiotic-rich foods increasingly recognized as essential to gut health, yogurt and kefir are gaining popularity as a source of protein and beneficial bacteria. In Homemade Yogurt & Kefir, cheesemaker and small-scale dairy producer Gianaclis Caldwell opens the door for fermentation enthusiasts and dairy devotees to make and use yogurt and kefir in the home kitchen. She explores the many culture choices and techniques for working with cow, goat, sheep, water buffalo, and even some plant milks. Step-by-step instructions cover the basics of making dairy ferments, from necessary equipment to the myriad options for thickening, sweetening, and flavoring. Along with foundational recipes, you'll find instructions for creating different styles of yogurt and kefir as well as other traditional milk ferments from around world, including Icelandic skyr, Asian koumiss, and Finish viili. Techniques for making simple cheeses, butter, whipped cream, and other dairy products using yogurt and milk ferments broaden the possibilities of these probiotic-packed cultures, and a recipe section takes you beyond the expected pairing of yogurt with granola, offering creative ways to use fermented dairy products in sauces, soups, and even cocktails, while preserving their health benefits and flavor. Along the way, pioneering yogurt makers, kefir crafters, and famous chefs who are tapping yogurt's potential for meals and libations, share their wisdom.

From the Back Cover

Master the basic yogurt-making process, and then use your skills to prepare yogurt and dairy ferments in a variety of global styles - from kefir, the fermented dairy drink of the Caucasus region, to Icelandic skyr and ryazhenka, Russian baked yogurt. Ferments made with plant-based dairy alternatives and recipes for using yogurt and kefir in probiotic butters, cheeses, salads, soups, drinks, and desserts allow everyone to enjoy the delicious possibilities.

Review Quotes

"Caldwell gives thorough, detailed directions, and full-color photographs show both finished products and important steps along the way. This is a practical addition to any cookery collection, especially with the growing trend toward self-sufficiency." -- Booklist, starred review

"What sets this yogurt book apart is the global range of yogurts featured--from Russian Ryazhenka and Vietnamese Sữa Chua to Icelandic Skyr and Indian Mishti Doi. So many ways to transform my leftover milk! Caldwell also includes recipes for kefirs, cheeses, sweets, and many dairy-free options. With farmer profiles, bacterial charts and step-by step photos and illustrations, it's a great primer for those new to fermented dairy, yet still has enough to challenge those whose yogurt making is already a weekly routine. " -- Blyth Meier, Porchlight Books

"Gianaclis is a fermentation expert and natural teacher. Her deep knowledge paired with beautiful design has produced a book to treasure." -- Janet Fletcher, James Beard Award-winning journalist, and publisher of Planet Cheese

"This is a great guide to fermenting milk as well as various plant-based milks. Gianaclis Caldwell is experienced and knowledgeable, and presents information clearly, making the processes very approachable. What a wonderful contribution to the growing literature of do-it-yourself fermentation." -- Sandor Ellix Katz, author of Wild Fermentation and The Art of Fermentation

"Homemade Yogurt Kefir does a beautiful job of uniting a world of traditional fermented milks with easy-to-follow, delicious recipes for today. In this remarkable work, Caldwell's approach is both practical and fun (yes, there are recipes for libations). This encouraging book provides a thorough understanding of why yogurt, kefir, and their many unique cousins have been, and must continue to be, a source of human nourishment." -- Kirsten Shockey, coauthor of Fermented Vegetables, Fiery Ferments, and Miso, Tempeh, Natto Other Tasty Ferments