Yogurt - how long does it keep?

[Zilli]

I turned a half gallon of goat milk into yogurt last weekend. While it is still thinner than what I'm used to with the store bought stuff, it is definitely yogurt (finally!) and I'm enjoying it every morning for breakfast mixed with fruit. I also had some on my baked potato last night, with fresh chives from the garden.

BUT........eating a half gallon of yogurt, even eating some every day, is a bit of a challenge. I have only eaten half of it so far and I'm starting to wonder how much longer I can expect it to be ok.

It still tastes good, no funny smells.

[CaliannG]

Most of mine keeps about three weeks, but it does vary by individual refrigerator, etc.

[Zilli]

Originally Posted by CaliannG

Most of mine keeps about three weeks, but it does vary by individual refrigerator, etc.

Thanks.

Since tomorrow is that one week mark, I was starting to get a little concerned.

Apparently, I still have plenty of time to eat that second quart with no issues.

[CaliannG]

~smiles~ Remember that you can always add some sugar, fruit, and vanilla, and gently churn it for frozen yogurt! Especially appreciated in this heat!

[Alice In TX/MO]

Yes, weeks!

[Cliff]

It doesn't really go bad as such unless it molds. It just keeps getting more sour and will eventually separate. Even when it separates it isn't actually "bad," because it's cultured.

[whodunit]

We make yogurt Fankhousers way and an unopened jar will last well over a year in the fridge.

[chewie]

Originally Posted by whodunit

We make yogurt Fankhousers way and an unopened jar will last well over a year in the fridge.

have you done this? no way!! I added fresh strawberries and some sugar to some and froze it, hubs loved it! I do drain mine tho for a while, I like it really thick.

[Tabgirl]

I love all the tips I get here! Thanks girls!

[Alice In TX/MO]

I use Fankhouser's method also, so the milk is pasteurized on the way to modifying the protein structure so that it sets up better. If you put it in sterile jars, it keeps a LONG time. We've had some that got pushed to the back of the fridge be fine after months. Haven't gone a year, however.

[Zilli]

I've never heard of it.

[Alice In TX/MO]

Making Yogurt

[CaliannG]

We <3 Alice and her links!

[Zilli]

Interesting. Maybe I'll try that method the next time, but can I use my previously homemade yogurt as starter?

When I made mine, I used the link that someone else here had posted a couple of weeks ago:

How to Make Yogurt - What You'll Need

I kept it at the 185 degrees for thirty minutes, and because I wanted to see which worked better, I put half in a thermos (wrapped in towels) and half in two pint jars placed inside a Styrofoam cooler with a heating pad. I then put both the thermos and the cooler with the heating pad in the greenhouse to take advantage of the warm temps in there.

They came out pretty comparable, with the yogurt from the cooler maybe just a tad bit thicker.

I'll look at the Fankhouser method a little more closely when I get ready to make my next batch.

Thanks.

[CaliannG]

~grinz~ I used the styrofoam cooler/heating pad method....until a foster puppy ATE my cooler!

[Alice In TX/MO]

Yes, you can use your own yogurt as a starter.

And thank you for the compliment Caliann.