How to make Curds (Natural Yogurt)

Being a South Indian I always thought making Curds is a natural process which need not have to be taught. But of late I have found few of my friends asking me how to make Curds /Yogurt at home. Here is the Secret.

• If you buy cow's milk or fresh milk from market, Boil the milk and let it cool down.
• It has to cool sufficiently well till it is just above room temperature , that is Luke warm .
• Now take 1 table spoon of curds/natural yogurt and mix it well and leave the milk for minimum 6 hours.
• Do not disturb the vessel till the Yogurt is set .
• It is important to start the curd/yogurt making, with the right kind of yogurt.
• So start with home made yogurt or get some natural yogurt from Indian Restaurant to start your home made yogurt.
• Always leave behind a little Yogurt so that you can set your next Milk to Yogurt.
• If proper yogurt is not used to set your curd the curd will not set properly.
• The outside temperature has to be correct for the yogurt to set.
• Normally for temperate climates like South India and Malaysia if you set your yogurt in the night before going to bed the yogurt will be ready the next morning.
• Once the yogurt is set keep it in the Fridge. Otherwise the yogurt will turn sour.
• If the yogurt has not set yet leave it for few more hours outside before keeping in the fridge

If you are using the Tetra Pack milk , like Dutch lady, (Full Cream, Low Fat, or Fresh milk)

this is what you should do.

• Heat Half litre milk in a glass vessel for 1 minute in a Micro wave oven.
• Just add the right kind of yogurt which I have mentioned , 1 table spoon and mix well.
• set aside for 6 plus hours

Yogurt will be ready.

You can make yogurt/ curds with milk powder also. You have to mix the Milk powder with water. Mix well. Heat it till it is Luke Warm. and Add curds. Set aside.

Roughly for 6 to 7 table spoons of Milk Powder, half litre of water will be fine.

During winter in countries like USA, it is very difficult for the Curds /Yogurt to set as it needs moderate temperature.

Even during other seasons if the air conditioner is being used round the clock the curds will not set.

For such climate this is what should be done.

You have to take Luke Warm Milk. (If you are buying those milk cans from the super market boil the milk and let it cool)

Add 1 table spoon of curds (the natural one). Mix well.

Heat the oven (not the micro wave oven), the one which comes with the cooking range, to minimum temperature and switch off the oven, and keep the milk which is set, inside the oven. Leave the light of the oven on. The curd/ Yogurt would set nicely after 6 hours.

I am told that Yogurt can be set during winter by keeping the vessel in which the milk is set nicely wrapped inside a woolen blanket. I have not tried this. But people who do not have oven can try this method.