How to make Greek yoghurt in your kitchen ( Hint: It’s very easy!)
I made Greek yoghurt, and now my shoulders are up, up, up! It’s so yummy, and you only need two ingredients.
I’d been craving Greek yoghurt for the longest, but it’s somewhat scarce here. The prices I saw on the gram also significantly reduced my appetite for it.
Anyway, my cousin and I talked about the issue, and she shared this blog post by GorgeousBrownSkin (GBS) with me. My best friend, who lives in Jos and makes her yogurt, also shared her recipe. So I used the bestie’s recipe and some steps from GBS.
Benefits of Greek yoghurt
Besides its great taste, Greek yoghurt is an excellent source of probiotics. Probiotics are the good bacteria that live in your gut. They help fight infections, and sickness and improve bowel movements (bye-bye constipation and diarrhoea.)
Also, if you take a lot of antibiotics, you’d need probiotics in your system because antibiotics kill both the good and bad guys.
What you need to make Greek yoghurt in Nigeria or wherever you are
1 Yoghurt with live cultures (bacteria) in it
The bestie recommended Habib yoghurt. It contains DVS culture, and I got mine on Allen Avenue in Ikeja. It’s 550ml, and I got it for N600.
The good thing is you wouldn’t use all of it in one go. You only need as little as a tablespoon to make the amount of yoghurt I did. If there’s no Habib yoghurt around you, you could look up any yoghurt in stores. Be sure to check that they contain live cultures. It will be stated on the package.
2 Milk
Any milk will do. I used Peak milk powder for my first try and then Dano milk powder the next time. I don’t know about evaporated and condensed milk. But I know you can use UHT milk as GBS used.
3 Pot
4 Glass Container (optional)
5 Sieve
Quantity
Yoghurt ā 1 tablespoon
Milk ā 1 cup
Water ā 2 cups
You won’t need water if you’re using UHT milk.
Direction
1. Mix milk and water together in a pot.
I emptied 5-7 sachets of dry milk into this cup. I marked where it stopped before pouring it into the pot. Then I filled the cup with water up to the same point and mixed it with the milk. I did that twice to get the correct milk powder-water ratio of 1:2.
2. Bring to a boil
I put mine on medium heat and occasionally stirred it. Once it started boiling, I took it off the burner and set it aside to cool.
3. Sterilize your glass.Ā
Switching to a glass jar is optional. I did this because the pot I used doesn’t cover securely. So I placed the glass jar and its cover in a pot and filled it with water.
Once it started boiling, I turned it off and let it sit in hot water. When I took the milk off the cooker, I removed the glass and set it on a clean napkin. I was scared the glass would shatter, so I didn’t leave it in for longer.
4. Add a tablespoon of the culture (yoghurt) to one side of the warm milk
Check it, taste it, and touch the pot’s sides to ensure your milk is warm. Not scalding hot, or that would kill the bacteria, but not cold either. Then put a tablespoon of the yoghurt into one side of the milk. Yes, a tablespoon is enough. Trust me.
5. Pour into your glass container
You could leave it in the pot and cover it securely. But I poured mine into the glass container and sealed it tight.
6 Keep in a warm dark place for about 10 hours
Cover your container (pot or glass) with a napkin and place it in a warm, dark place. I didn’t have a napkin that could cover it perfectly, so I wrapped my scarf around the glass and then my thickest house sweater around it. I placed mine inside a carton in a dark cupboard and hoped to God that it would turn out perfect.
I did this in the evening, so I left it overnight and went to bed
7 Screaaaammm as you see your freshly made Greek yoghurt
I literally did. You know it’s set when you see how thick it is, compared to what you had the previous night.
If your goal is to make regular yoghurt, you only need to whisk it and serve. But for Greek yoghurt, you need to sieve out the whey.
8 Sieve the whey
The liquid on the left is the whey already sieved out
Place your sieve in a container, pour in the yoghurt, and let the light liquid drain out. It could take an hour. I put mine in the fridge and left for work as I didn’t have time to wait. If you don’t have a sieve, you could use a cheesecloth or a very clean scarf.
By the time I got back from work, it was set.
9 Serve and take pictures
Eat it like that, make parfait like I did, serve it with granola or anyhow you like it, it’s all yours!
10 Don’t throw the whey away
I found that the whey tastes similar to ayran, a Turkish yoghurt drink I had a lot in school. At first, I was not too fond of ayran, but my tastebuds grew accustomed to it. So, you may not like it. But whey has a lot of health benefits. You could add it to your smoothies or make faux ayran like me by adding a pinch of salt to it.
Tada! Le fin! Send your pictures to me when you try this out.
Don’t forget to share this if you found it helpful. Merci!
Anita Patrick
Anita Patrick - a writer, lover of life, and creative badass!
103 Comments
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Anita -
LOL! Thanks babe, I'm glad I could save your coins, let me know how it turns out. Also, home-made granola? you are giving my ideas oh.. I never thought about it
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Princess -
The part you said you measure twice to get the ratio 1:3. I don't understand it.. help out. Thanks
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Anita -
Hi, Princess. So sorry this is coming late. It says 1:2 and I meant that I used 1 cup of dry milk and 2 cups of water
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Grace -
Oh my! Thank you so much for this! I can't wait to try this. I have been stuck trying to start my parfait business in school because it's so expensive to get Greek yogurt and there is really no where to get them here in Oyo state. Thank you!!!!!
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Anita -
Aww Grace, I'm glad I could help. All the best with your parfait business, praying this turns out perfect for you. xx
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Dami -
Great Post! Just what I needed. Please did you use the sweetened one or the sugar free habib yoghurt for this DIY?
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Anita -
Yay! I'm glad this helps. I used the sweetened Habib yoghurt.
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Taiwo -
Pls, in step 4, after puting d yogurt in one side of the milk, do u stir or u just leave it like dt before pouring it into d glass container?. Also, thanks for this recipe.
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Anita -
Hi Taiwo, thanks for stopping by. There's no need to stir it, I left it that way.
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Ayo. -
Thanks for this recipe! Pls like how many parfait cups will this measurement you used make?
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Anita -
Hi Ayo, I'm not sure about parfait cups but this quantity was enough to fill 3 of the short glasses in the featured image.
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Winnie -
This is my first time here. And this write up got me. I literally had a smile on my face until the end of it. Thanks for being so real. You too much š
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Anita -
Thanks a lot for stopping by, Winnie
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KYONA-CHIHILLA -
Thanks so much for sharing this diy tips. God Almighty continue to bless you more than enough IJN AMEN. When do I add the sweetener please
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Anita Patrick -
Thank you for stopping by. I know my reply is coming very late but I added the sweetener just before I served it
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Jumoke -
Thanks for the tips Anita, itās so helpful. I will try it soon. Can I do mine in a plastic container instead of glass?
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Anita -
Sorry for the late reply, Jumoke.I haven't tried in plastic containers, just glass and pots. Did you try it? Let me know if it worked
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Lydia -
Hi anita,can plain sweetened hollandia yogurt be used for this
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Anita -
Hi Lydia, I haven't tried that yet. But I know someone who used regular unsweetened yoghurt and it worked for them. I'd advice trying with a small batch for starters
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ADeeA -
Thank you Anita for this..... sounds so easy and I'm so trying this ASAP. please do i get to whisk the yoghurt any time during the process?
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Anita -
Hi ADeeA, I'm so sorry this is coming late. No, I didn't have to whisk it, I just put it in and let it sit.
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richie -
nice article , will try it soon but on the last step which yoghurt did you add to the sieve ?
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Anita -
Hi Richie, after leaving the yoghurt in the glass overnight, I sieved it the following morning to separate the whey from the formed yoghurt. You can eat it without sieving it (that's normal yoghurt) but to make Greek yoghurt, you have to sieve it.
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Norah -
Mine came out runny and sour. I used a plastic jar. Now I don't know if to still strain it
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Anita -
I'm so sorry this is coming late and even more so that it turned out runny for you. The last time this happened to me, I just let it sit in a warm, dark, place for longer. It also happened when I tried a different yoghurt brand. Were you able to make it work?
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Chinonso Enimola -
Wow thank you thank you so much but do you have any idea on how to make home made granola
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Anita -
Hi, Chinonso! Thanks a lot for stopping by. No, I don't know how to make granola, not yet anyway. I will give it a try sometime soon.
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Valerie -
I'm so trying this. Thanks!
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Anita -
Yaay!!
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Chinonso Enimola -
Wow im glad i came across your blog,my yogurt is in the process now will send the end result to you i cant wait.
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Anita -
Yaay! I'd love to see this. Tag me on Instagram with '@anitasfire' if you share it there. Or you can share it with me via DM
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Pelmer -
I tried getting a yoghurt with life culture in Ekiti but can't get one, any contact of where I can get it?
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Anita -
Hi Pelmer, I'm not sure about where you can get one in Ekiti. You can read the label of yoghurt jars in the supermarket close to you. I've heard Superyogo contains live cultures, but I haven't checked yet. I'm thinking of making a short video using more accessible ingredients like superyogo in this case. Hopefully, that should be up soon. x
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Wendy -
Hi Good morning, thanks for the tutorial, I tried this but has not worked, all I get is a watery milk. I left it in the pot overnight with covering and all that. The first one I did became thick but not coagulated (used hollandia milk and rev up yogurt) I used dano milk and rev up yogurt. Ma what could be my fault
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Anita -
Hello, Wendy. I'm so sorry it didn't work out for you and that my response is coming late. It could be the yoghurt cuz i have tried some other brands and gotten slightly different results.
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Evelyn -
Your article is on point, and my Yoghurt came out perfect as I choose to experiment during this Corona lockdown. I was so proud of myself. Thank you Anita.
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Anita -
I am proud of you too, Evelyn cuz I remember how I felt the first time I made this. Thanks for trying it out!
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Praise -
thanks allot,that was wonderful
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Anita -
Hi, Praise! I'm glad I could help
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Boluwatife -
Honestly awesome!!!
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Anita -
whoop whoop! thank you
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Atinuke -
Thanks Anny, this is so amazing. God bless you
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Anita -
Thanks, Atinuke. God bless you too!
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Chioma -
Hello Anita, Thank you very much for this. it is very very useful
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Anita -
Thanks a lot, Chioma!
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Bosa -
Thanks Anita for this. Successful made my first greek youghurt today and I'm super stoked. Well done girl &keep up the good work
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Anita -
Thanks so much! I'm glad I could help
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Adenike -
I am so happy reading this. I will surely try it out soon.
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Anita -
I'm glad you read this too, Adenike. I hope it turned out perfect
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Naqeelah -
Wow! U realy made my day. Cant wait to try it.thnx alot
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Anita -
Whoop whoop! I'm glad this made your day!
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Ada Mb1. -
I love this and will be giving it a try,would like to ask if I can preserve the Greek Yoghurt in the fridge and use it for subsequent preparations,instead buying the yogurt with D.V.S each time I want to prepare a new yogurt.Thank you
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Anita -
Thanks, Ada. I haven't tried that yet, but I'm sure it would work
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Muina -
Good job Anita,I'm gonna try it
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Anita -
Yay! I hope it turns out great
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Liz -
Thank you for this recipe. It was such an interesting read too. Will try it soon
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Anita -
Thanks, Liz. I hope it turns out great
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Jess -
Hi Anita I loved ur process looked so easy but can I use natural milk?nunu this one the fulani milks direct from the cow?
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Anita -
Hi Jess, thank you. I looked up using raw milk and it seems fine, but I can't say so with authority as I have never tried it. If you do, let me know how it goes.
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Jemine Anomuoghanran -
Thanks a lot for this, really been trying to get this information for long and this is so explicit. God Bless you, trying mine ASAP
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Anita -
Thank you, Jemine! I hope it turned out well
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Ijeoma -
Thanks so much for this. Iām definitely trying it soon!
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Anita -
Yay! You're welcome
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Eniola shakirah -
Thank you so much for this recipe, I've been trying to figure out how to source for Greek yogurt
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Anita -
Anytime! glad to be of help
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Annie -
Yes I tried in plastic container and I added little sugar and it worked. Thanks alot.
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Murna Danmadami -
Thanks Anita, i just had greek yogurt & granola as some of us are trying to shed the excess and i thought of how expensive this diet thing is. going to be? I typed in greek yogurt and i got to you... i will most definitely try this. Bless you.... Ps: I had fun reading through too.
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Anita -
Thanks Murna, I'm glad you found your way here. I totally get the shedding part as it's my current struggle haha. Anyway, I hope it turns great when you try it. Thanks again!
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Adeola -
Many thanks Anita, I tried the recipe and it came out so beautiful. I used 1:1 ratio for the milk and water. There was no need for me to strain out water aftermath, it was just exactly like the greek yoghurt. I am so excited
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Anita -
Aww yaay! So happy to hear that
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Blessing -
Thanks so much sis. Will give it a try.
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Anita -
Anytime!
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CintiO -
Hi ma'am Can i use a yought that has Powdered milk, sugar, culture Youghurt and treated water as ingredient? It not soo thick ..so I'm kinda scared to use it
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Anita -
Hi, sorry for my late response. I haven't tried that before so I can't say. But if you can, test a small batch to see how it turns out.
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Blizzyglams -
Hello anitasfire, thanks for showing us how to make our own yogurt. Tried mine with dano milk š„ and farm fresh yogurt. Plus I couldnāt get the exact measurements cos i had milk at home. So i used 6 tablespoons of milk, then I diluted it with water. Boiled the milk allowed to warm temperatures then i added 6 spoons of the yogurt. Plus there was no light. It turned to yogurt but not thick as yours. Will give it another try. With habib yogurt and peakmilk. Thanks š
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Anita -
Hi! One spoon of yoghurt in the boiled milk is fine, trust me. I had a similar situation where the yoghurt wasn't as thick, so i left it in a warm dark place for longer and it set. I have tried different brands of powdered milk and they turned out good, so Dano works. I only experienced a different texture when I tried another brand of yoghurt. Let me know how this goes. I hope it works out this time. x
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Eniola -
Hiiii Anita. No whey is coming out of my own. Only the yoghurt is dropping from the cheese cloth. Whatās thr problem please?
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Anita -
Hi, Eniola. Is it thick? If the yogurt isn't thick, seal it back in the container and leave it in a warm place for a couple more hours
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Parfait Hub -
About to start my greek yogurt sales, thanks alot for the tip. definitely giving it a try
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Anita -
Wonderful! i hope it turned out good
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Immaculate -
Wonderful,wonderful,I love your channel
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Anita -
Thank you!
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khadijah -
Hi Anita, thanks so much for the recipe. Can I use cedaa yoghurt? It has Lactic acid. I'm not sure if that's another name for DVS or Live Active Culture.
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Victoria -
This was a great read! Well done! Looking forward to making mine š
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Sophia -
On my way to try this out š. Thank you so much
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Omolewa -
Thank you so much for this recipe tried making yoghurt before and it turned out to be a waste of time and resources and this one is really more detailed. God bless you
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Jessica -
I will try this out ASAP š
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Collins -
I sell perfait and the cost of Greek yoghurt is high please how do I do this for a larger quantity
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Anita Patrick -
I am so sorry, I'm just seeing your comment. As I haven't made it in bulk, I can't say. So, you might have to just test till you figure it out. But I am hoping you already did.
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Seleipiri Amalokwu -
Iām definitely giving it a try, parfait is so expensive but now I can make my own parfait. Thank you
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Anita Patrick -
Thank you. I hope you tried it and liked it
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Tina -
Hi, this was really helpful and understandable can't wait to try it out but I just wanted to ask if we are not adding sugar to it
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Anita Patrick -
Thank you. Of course you can add sugar. I added mine just before serving. But if you are trying to make unsweetened Greek yogurt, then it's best to leave it out.
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okonkwo chioma -
What other yoghurt can one replace the Habib with?
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Anita Patrick -
I have tried other brands including Farm Fresh and Super Yogo. You can use any good yogurt just make sure that the label shows it has live cultures present
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Becca -
Tnx alot, u saved my ass in my food and nutrition practice
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Anita Patrick -
Aww yay! Welldone!
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Queen -
Hi. I'm just reading this right now. Can I use vanilla flavored hollandia yoghurt as a starter?
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Anita Patrick -
Hi! I haven't tried hollandia. But just check the label to see if they indicate the presence of live cultures. If the label doesn't show that then it's best to try another. I even tested it with Superyogo sometime and it was good.
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Irene -
13/09/2018
Thank you! Been thinking of making my own granola. Was about to pay for one expensive IG Greek yogurt When I saw your post and Alleluia! I am already dreaming of my parfait.