So for example, if I want to make 4 cups of yogurt, I simply fill a Mason Jar full of milk and then add in 4 tablespoon of my previously-cultured-yogurt. I leave it out on my counter for 12-24 hours and that's it. Delicious, healthy, tart yogurt at my fingertips. Cultured at room temperature! Can you believe how awesome that just made your life? We can have fresh, high-quality homemade yogurt without having to mess with heating, temperatures, or any special equipment.
The only thing I have to do is remember to save some of our batch each time to start the next batch with! And because I already have approximately 14,598 things to think about at any given moment (including, but not limited to: dirty diapers, the upcoming Presidential election, laundry that needs to be put away, the hole in my sock, a nasty bathroom sink that somehow attracts dog hair, dinner that should have been started, my Harry Potter addiction, an upcoming teenage girl Bible study I need to start prep on, my next knitting project, my procrastination on ordering seeds, dusting my nasty computer keyboard, etc.) only having to remember one extra is quite nice.
I think this particular culture would work perfect for moms-on-the-go who really don't have extra time to mess with temperatures and perfect timing. Trust me, this yogurt is very forgiving.
I normally leave my yogurt plain, as I often use it for soaking flours or in this delicious recipe. If I'm wanting some sweet yogurt, I simply drizzle it with real maple syrup and top it off with berries, bananas, or soaked granola. Probiotic deliciousness, if you ask me.
Even if you make this yogurt using high quality, organic milk, you still save a bundle off of buying store bought yogurt. Plus, you get to choose what you put in it. Score. This is quite simply the easiest way to enjoy homemade cultured dairy, besides kefir of course.
You can order the viili culture HERE if you're interested. Which you may or may not be.
I was. But I just get excited about this sort of thing.
I know. It's a sickness. I've come to accept it.
If you need a geeky hermit to culture your yogurt for ya, you know who to call.
Marilee
Thanks for posting this! I’m curious what the taste comparison is to traditional plain yogurt? I’ve been making homemade yogurt for several months now, and we love it-my kids will even eat it plain! I also make kefir, and love how easy it is, but it has to go in a smoothie for the kids, they won’t go near it otherwise.:) We’ve been eating a whole foods diet for awhile now, and viili seems like the answer to a prayer in saving me time in the kitchen, but do you think it would appeal to the kiddos?
I’ve only recently discovered your blog, and its fabulous, keep up the good work!
Shaye @ The Elliott Homestead
Marilee – I do think it would appeal to the kids. A little sweetener, fruit and vanilla perk it right up.
ManyBlessings
I am wondering the same thing. How does it compare in taste to home cultured yogurt? We love our home brewed (haha) kind and would hate to spend the extra money if my kids refused to eat it in the end. 🙂
Shaye @ The Elliott Homestead
It’s good – I promise! 🙂
Sheryl and Denny
Love your blog and have been reading your post on kefir and yogurt making, and the fermented tea. Love the aspect of this but a little scared that i make the family sick. Eager to try. Thanks for posting your accomplishments.
Sheryl
sheltiereatta
I have been using the Viili yogurt culture for 2 years. I love how easy it is to make. Our family loves the milder flavor. My husband would never eat yogurt, but likes this yogurt.
Thanks for posting about it.
Charlotte
Chris
Can you use this with raw whole milk?
Shaye @ The Elliott Homestead
Yes! You can use this with raw milk. The only thing with the raw milk is that every now and then (every week or so) you need to use pasturized milk. The bacteria that is present in the raw milk will eventually take over the yogurt culture. Cultures for Health gives more specific instructions regarding this in the pamphlet they send with the culture.
Nancy~Nandarani
Your writing is in the neighborhood of my writing and your joy in communicating, too. So, may a person use Viili with of all things, nf dry milk?
Also, do you have an idea of relative merits of kefir vis viili vis vis probiotics by which mean strength, number, whatever you like to address.
Thank you . . .