How to Make L. Reuteri Yogurt at Home

L reuteri yogurt originates from a study conducted by Dr William Davis which found that yogurt containing lactobacillus reuteri had significant health benefits. Increased amounts of the bacteria in yogurt were associated with:

• Improved skin youthfulness
• Accelerated skin healing
• Thicker and shinier hair
• Increased testosterone levels in men
• Reduced acid reflux
• Increased bowel frequency
• Improved thyroid health
• Reduced insulin resistance
• Increased bone density

Dr Davis also highlighted the importance of adding prebiotics to the yogurt mix. These are plant fibres that essentially feed the L reuteri bacteria during the fermentation process. As a result, the bacteria are able to work more efficiently in your body and their benefits are magnified.

Lactose-free & vegan options

The idea of trying L reuteri yogurt intrigues you, but you are lactose intolerant or vegan. No need to panic! You can make lactose-free or vegan L reuteri yogurt by simply replacing cow milk with coconut milk. The recipe and fermentation time will have to change ever so slightly, but the yogurt's benefits will stay the same.

What does it taste like?

You may expect L reuteri yogurt to taste like Greek yogurt or unsweetened yogurt, but you'd be wrong. Its flavour is purely determined by the milk and probiotic tablets you use. The lactose-free and vegan options which utilise coconut milk will taste like coconut, while the original version will have hints of mandarin coming from the BioGaia Gastrus tablets.

How long does it take to make?

L reuteri yogurt requires a longer fermentation time than regular yogurt. You will notice that after 12 hours in the maker the mixture will have turned into yogurt. Although it may look done, L reuteri needs more fermentation time to reach the bacteria count suggested by Dr Davis. A total of 30-36 hours is ideal for this yogurt.

In the case of the lactose-free and vegan option made with coconut milk, a total of 24 hours is more than enough. Any longer in the maker and the yogurt will dry out and turn yellow or brown.

Ingredients

For the original option:

• 1 quart or 1 litre of half-and-half cow milk
• 2 tablespoons of prebiotic fibre (either unmodified potato starch or inulin powder)
• 10 tablets of BioGaia Gastrus

For the lactose-free and vegan options:

• 1.2 litres of coconut milk
• 2 teaspoons of agar agar powder
• 3 tablets of BioGaia Gastrus
• 2 tablespoons of inulin powder
• 1 teaspoon of white sugar or 1 tablespoon of unpasteurised honey

Equipment

• Measuring cup
• Measuring spoons
• Yogurt maker
• Mortar and pestle
• Small bowl
• Large saucepan (only for the lactose-free and vegan options)
• Wire whisk (only for the lactose-free and vegan options)
• Dairy thermometer (only for the lactose-free and vegan options)

Before Starting

Make sure to sterilise all equipment in boiling hot water before starting. This includes the glass jar that comes with your yogurt maker. The risk of not sterilising is that other bacteria may overpower the culture of lactobacillus reuteri in your yogurt.

Instructions (original option)

1. Pour approximately 2/3 of the milk into the glass jar that comes with the yogurt maker
2. Put 2 tablespoons of prebiotic powder (unmodified potato starch or inulin powder) into a small bowl
3. Pour the remaining 1/3 of milk into the prebiotic powder and mix until it's lump-free
4. a) To make the mother batch, crush 10 tablets of BioGaia Gastrus into a fine powder using the mortar and pestle, and then add it to the prebiotic powder/milk mix
   b) To make subsequent batches, add 1/3 cup of your previously made L reuteri yogurt into the prebiotic powder/milk mix
5. Pour the mix you have just made into the glass jar containing the milk, and stir to incorporate
6. Put the lid onto the glass jar and place it into the yogurt maker. Pour water into the yogurt maker until only the base is filled. Finally, seal the yogurt maker with the cover lid.
7. Set the temperature to 36°C or 38°C and the timer to 30-36 hours. Some timers may only go up to 24 hours, so you will have to add an extra 6-12 hours after.
8. After 30-36 hours the fermentation will be complete. Be careful not to wet yourself when removing the yogurt maker's cover lid, as condensed water will have collected underneath it.
9. Switch the yogurt maker off and remove the yogurt glass jar from it. The L reuteri yogurt will be runny and warm, and there is a chance it may have separated into layers. This is perfectly normal, but do not stir the yogurt while it's warm.
10. Place the homemade yogurt in the fridge for 6 hours to set, and then it will be ready to eat!

Instructions (lactose-free and vegan options)

1. Pour the coconut milk into a large saucepan
2. Sprinkle the agar agar powder onto the coconut milk and stir until dissolved
3. Place the saucepan on the stove at low heat and stir regularly with a wire whisk to make sure the agar doesn't stick to the bottom of the saucepan
4. Heat the coconut milk to 87⁰C for 5 minutes to activate the agar
5. Remove it from the stove and let it cool down to below 42° C
6. Crush 3 tablets of BioGaia Gastrus into a fine powder using the mortar and pestle and set aside
7. Take a small bowl and pour 1/4 cup of cooled coconut milk and then add 2 tablespoons of inulin powder. Stir it into a slurry and set aside.
8. Pour the remaining cooled coconut milk from the saucepan into the glass jar that comes with your yogurt maker.
9. Add both the inulin mix and crushed BioGaia Gastrus tablets you set aside into the glass jar. Then add 1 teaspoon of white sugar, or 1 tablespoon of honey, and mix all using the wire whisk.
10. Put the lid onto the glass jar and place it into the yogurt maker. Pour water into the yogurt maker until only the base is filled. Finally, seal the yogurt maker with the cover lid.
11. Set the temperature to 38°C and the timer to 24 hours.
12. After 24 hours, when fermentation is over, the L reuteri yogurt will be warm and the mixture may look fragmented. This is perfectly normal, do not stir the warm yogurt.
13. Place the glass jar in the fridge for at least 6 hours to let the yogurt set.
14. Finally, remove the glass jar from the fridge and mix with a spoon until the homemade yogurt is thick and creamy. Now it's ready to eat!

Need a yogurt maker or ingredients?

Now you know how to make L reuteri yogurt, but you don’t have the right ingredients or equipment. Don’t panic! At NourishMe Organics, you can find everything you need to make L reuteri yogurt at home. From yogurt makers to ingredients like prebiotic fibre, you can find them all in one place. We also have other varieties of yogurt starter cultures and fermentation kits for making different types of homemade yogurt, each with its own health benefits.

Visit us online at www.nourishmeorganics.com.au or in-store at 11/136 Keys Rd, Cheltenham VIC 3192.