Kefir and yogurt: what is it and what is the difference?

The benefits and taste of fermented milk products are known to absolutely everyone. They are used as separate simple dishes, and as ingredients for complex recipes. They are recommended by doctors to support the body during the healing and prevention of many diseases. The most popular products are kefir and curdled milk, which, at first glance, are very similar to each other. But it is not so.

This is a kind of sour-milk drink, it is based on fresh milk, to which a starter called milk or kefir “mushroom” is added. It looks like a white homogeneous mass with bubbles of carbon dioxide. In industry, this drink is obtained using the reservoir method.

The first mention of kefir drink dates back to the 19th century, and it appeared in North Ossetia. In folklore, there are a lot of legends and legends about the origin of this drink. According to one version, the secret of cooking was passed on to the Caucasians by the prophet Mohammed. For medicinal purposes, kefir is taken as a remedy that restores and maintains the intestinal microflora. It helps stabilize cholesterol levels, is good for vision, and is used in the fight against tumors. Kefir bacteria suppress the symptoms of food allergies. An effective kefir diet is very popular.

However, the use of kefir has contraindications.

It cannot be drunk:

• with dyspepsia (difficulty digesting food and delayed release of the stomach);
• with peptic ulcer of the stomach or colon;
• with improper circulation of digestive juices.

The appearance of this drink also has a long history, but it is associated with traditional Russian cuisine. The exact date of appearance is unknown, but even in Homer's Odyssey there is mention of sour milk in a jug. Yogurt appears during the usual souring of milk that occurs at room temperature (about +26 degrees). In finished form, it is a thick mass with milk clots. Under factory conditions, acceleration of souring is achieved through the use of yeast and lactic acid bacteria. In industry, it is made in a thermostatic way.

With great benefits, the use of yogurt also has limitations. It is not recommended to use:

• with pancreatitis;
• with gallstone disease;
• with erosive gastritis, complicated by an increase in acidity;
• with stomach ulcers and other diseases of the digestive tract.

When summarizing all the characteristics of these two fermented milk products, certain conclusions can be drawn.They are similar in their usefulness, as they help maintain immunity, activate weight loss, contributing to proper nutrition. These drinks are similar in taste, for this reason, from a culinary position, they are equivalent.

But the process for getting them is different. Yogurt is obtained by lactic acid fermentation. Sour cream and yogurt are also made. And kefir, like koumiss, is formed by a combination of two types of fermentation: lactic acid and alcohol.

For the preparation of kefir, a special sourdough (milk or kefir “mushroom”) is required, and absolutely nothing is required to obtain yogurt, because it is produced by “personal forces”.

Drinks also differ in consistency - yogurt, in comparison with kefir, is thicker. Kefir consistency is relatively homogeneous, and yogurt has milk clots.

The fat content of curdled milk is higher and is about 3.2%. The taste of kefir is slightly more acidic.

A significant difference lies in the biological composition of fermented milk drinks. Yogurt contains lactic acid bacteria such as streptococci and bacillus bulgaricus. And in kefir there are not only such microorganisms, but also lactic acid sticks, flavoring streptococci, yeast and "acetic" bacteria. It is well known that kefir contains a small amount of alcohol.

In terms of usefulness, it is impossible to clearly distinguish any of these products. Kefir has a slight advantage in this, since mixing two types of fermentation (alcohol and sour milk) has a more intense effect on the gastrointestinal tract.

From these drinks you can make wonderful homemade cottage cheese. With them you can cook various pastries: pies, pies, cookies, muffins, pancakes, pancakes.Even without the use of yeast, such pastries are soft and airy. These drinks are also good in cold soups (sorrel, okroshka, tarator and others). Smoothies and cocktails, jellies prepared with them are popular. They are also used for salad dressings, marinades and sauces.

It is best to make kefir from fresh milk and kefir "fungus", which is often sold in stores. A little kefir “fungus” is placed in a sterile jar and milk is poured into it. After 12-50 hours, the drink will be ready. To preserve the acidity, after a certain time, the resulting drink can be poured, and fresh milk can be added to the remaining one.

It is possible to make kefir without a special “fungus”, replacing it with ordinary store-bought kefir. However, it is worth considering that in this case it will have to be cooked in smaller containers (for example, in a glass). To do this, pour a few tablespoons of kefir into a glass, add fresh milk to it and wait until the drink is completely sour.

In order to prepare curdled milk, you should boil 1-2 liters of fresh milk, cool it to 35-45 degrees and add 1-2 tablespoons of sour cream, curdled milk or a piece of yeast bread to speed up the process. Mix everything thoroughly and leave at room temperature for souring for 2-6 hours. This time will be enough to prepare a high-quality sour-milk drink.

When choosing a fermented milk drink for daily use, it is recommended to be guided not only by taste preferences.If a person is completely healthy, he has no problems with the stomach and intestines, it is better to choose kefir. Such a drink will speed up the digestion of food, saturate the body with beneficial bacteria and will be an excellent prevention of many diseases. People on a diet can drink a glass of kefir at night to prevent hunger pains during sleep.

For children, it is not entirely advisable to purchase kefir due to its high acidity. For kids, yogurt is well suited, which will protect the children's body from rickets and allergic manifestations. The only contraindication is individual intolerance, but it is extremely rare. It is also good to drink yogurt for adults suffering from low acidity.

How to make yogurt at home, see the following video.