Craft a creamy, tangy yogurt using just two simple ingredients—whole milk and live Bulgarian yogurt culture. Dive into the heritage of Bulgarian culinary tradition by making your yogurt at home, transforming an essential kitchen task into a cultural experience.
Preparation Time
Active Preparation: 30 minutes
Fermentation: 7-10 hours (overnight)
Total Time: 8-10.5 hours
Ingredients (Serves Four People)
1 liter (4 cups) whole milk
2 tablespoons live Bulgarian yogurt (starter culture)
1 tablespoon is circa 15 ml, and a teaspoon is circa 5 ml.
Method to Prepare the Homemade Bulgarian Yogurt
Step 1: Heating the Milk
Pour the milk into a heavy-bottomed pot. Slowly heat it over medium heat until it reaches 85°C (185°F), stirring occasionally. This step pasteurizes the milk, setting the stage for fermentation.
Step 2: Cooling and Inoculating the Milk
Once the milk has reached the desired temperature, remove it from the heat and let it cool to 43°C-46°C (110°F-115°F). When the milk has cooled, whisk in the live Bulgarian yogurt, ensuring the cultures are evenly distributed throughout the milk.
Step 3: Fermentation Process
Transfer the mixture into a clean, insulated container (such as a thermos, yogurt maker, or covered glass jar). Keep the container at a steady, warm temperature—around 43°C-46°C (110°F-115°F)—for 7-10 hours, allowing the bacteria to ferment the milk into yogurt.
Step 4: Final Touch and Refrigeration
Once the yogurt has thickened and developed its signature tang, refrigerate it for a few hours to stop fermentation. This will set the yogurt’s texture.
Tips and Tricks
- For the best results, use fresh, high-quality milk. The quality of the milk directly affects the taste and texture of the yogurt.
- Sterilize all your utensils and containers to ensure no unwanted bacteria interfere with fermentation.
- Adjust the fermentation time based on your preference. A longer fermentation time will result in tangier yogurt.
Alternative Preparation Suggestions
- For thicker yogurt, strain the finished product through a cheesecloth or a fine sieve to remove excess whey, creating a Greek-style yogurt.
- For a sweet variation, stir in honey or vanilla after fermentation for a subtle flavor twist.
Serving Suggestions
For a wholesome breakfast, enjoy Bulgarian yogurt with fresh fruits, nuts, or granola. It also pairs well with savory dishes like Banitsa or Spanachnik.
Homemade Bulgarian yogurt is a versatile addition to many meals. Enjoy it as a refreshing drink by diluting it with water and salt to make ayrian, or mix it with cucumbers, garlic, and dill to create the classic cold soup tarator. It can also be served alongside traditional sarmi (stuffed cabbage or vine leaves), whose creamy texture complements the savory filling of the dish. Yogurt is also perfect as a light snack, or you can pair it with fruits, honey, or nuts for a healthy breakfast.
Storage Suggestions
You can store homemade yogurt in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. However, for the best flavor and texture, enjoy it within a few days.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
Calories: 120 kcal
Protein: 8g
Fat: 6g
Carbohydrates: 9g
Calcium: 300mg
Probiotics: Beneficial live cultures
Dietary Modifications
- Lower Fat: For a lighter version, substitute whole milk with low-fat or skim milk. However, this will result in thinner yogurt.
Storage Suggestions
Keep the yogurt in a sealed container in the fridge for up to a week. Avoid freezing, as this can affect the creamy texture.
About Bulgarian Yogurt
Bulgarian yogurt, or “kiselo mlyako” (кисело мляко), is renowned for its unique flavor and texture, thanks to the specific live bacteria used in the fermentation process: Lactobacillus bulgaricus. This yogurt has been a staple in Bulgarian households for centuries, prized for its health benefits and simplicity. It’s considered a national treasure and is integral to Bulgarian cuisine, often enjoyed with savory dishes or as a cooling side during hot summers.
Cultural Context
In Bulgaria, yogurt is much more than a food item—it’s a cultural symbol. The tradition of making yogurt at home has been passed down through generations, and it’s known to promote longevity due to its probiotic-rich nature. The origins of Bulgarian yogurt date back thousands of years, with historical records pointing to its discovery by Thracians, who inhabited the region. To this day, Bulgarian yogurt is appreciated worldwide for its distinctive flavor and probiotic benefits, continuing to be a staple of the country’s diet.
