Coconut milk yogurt?

[my_baby_love]

Does anyone know if I can make yogurt with coconut milk the same way I would make it with cow's milk? My DS has a recently discovered dairy sensitivity, but he loves yogurt.

[Magelet]

I think you can. I think someone here has mentioned it before. I'm not sure if the procedure is identical, however I'd give it a try. the worst that can happen is you waste a little coconut milk. It should be clear if it's bad, I would think.

[my_baby_love]

I guess I might just try it out and see what happens. Anyone else out there with any ideas for me?

[dogmom327]

Culturing coconut milk is fairly simple--you use the same method as making yogurt with regular milk (note, if you are using a reusable culture, you'll need to keep a separate cow or goat milk culture to use to inoculate each batch of coconut milk as the yogurt starter won't perpetuate in coconut milk).

The real trick is actually getting the right consistency. Cultured coconut milk is literally just coconut milk that tastes cultured--it doesn't really thicken or anything. I did find this the other day though: http://www.kathysrecipebox.com/?p=136. Haven't tried it yet myself but it looks promising. She calls for a non-dairy yogurt starter but she is trying to make a truly dairy free yogurt. If dairy isn't an issue and you just like coconut yogurt, I'd use a dairy yogurt starter since it would be less costly and easier to get a hold of.

Just another thought. Lots of people have good success making coconut milk kefir with milk kefir grains and using that instead of yogurt.

[my_baby_love]

Originally Posted by dogmom327

Just another thought. Lots of people have good success making coconut milk kefir with milk kefir grains and using that instead of yogurt.

Would I need separate kefir grains, one batch for milk and one for coconut milk, or could I use them in both? I have been wanting to make milk kefir anyway, so that sounds like a great option.

[dogmom327]

Originally Posted by my_baby_love

Would I need separate kefir grains, one batch for milk and one for coconut milk, or could I use them in both? I have been wanting to make milk kefir anyway, so that sounds like a great option.

You don't need separate sets of grains but technically it can take a batch or two to adjust to the new milk each time you switch them. It would be easiest though to get a set of kefir grains, make regular milk kefir for a few weeks until they start to multiply and then split them in half so you can have a set for coconut milk and a set for regular milk.