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24HR DISPATCH
FREE OZ SHIPPING
24HR DISPATCH
FREE OZ SHIPPING
24HR DISPATCH
FREE OZ SHIPPING
Poor gut health is the root of many health problems, and one way to improve general health and vitality is to introduce fermented foods. Getting a dose of gut loving probiotics from homemade yogurt is a great place to start. Did you know that about 75 percent of the world’s population are genetically unable to properly digest dairy milk? If you want to avoid dairy but still get all the awesome probiotic benefits of homemade yogurt, making it from coconut is an easy and delicious alternative.
Coconuts are one of the most nutritious foods on the planet. They are a low-allergen food with medicinal properties that are antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antiparasitic and antioxidant. Eating homemade coconut yogurt is a therapeutic way to consume beneficial bacteria and balance out the native microflora (bacteria) in the gut as well as reduce inflammation.
Coconut yogurt is an easily tolerated fermented food that has become central to gut healing diets such as the ‘Specific Carbohydrate Diet’ (SCD) and ‘Gut and Psychology Syndrome’ (GAPS). Based on the science of the Specific Carbohydrate diet (SCD), coconut yogurt must be homemade.
On the Luvele recipe blog we have developed many coconut yogurt recipes however some include ingredients that are not permitted on SCD & GAPS gut healing diets. To eliminate any concern this recipe is 100% compliant.
During fermentation, coconut milk does not thicken like dairy yogurt. So, unless you want a drinkable yogurt, a thickening additive is generally essential.
Gelatin is an animal derived product rich in cell healing amino acids that strengthens the gut lining and therefore lowers inflammation - it's truly the perfect gut-loving thickener. Don’t use any old gelatin though, quality matters. We recommend a premium quality powdered gelatin. The amount specified in the recipe is a guide only. Too much gelatin will set your coconut yogurt like jelly. Experiment and add more or less to achieve your preferred texture.
When choosing coconut milk, choose additive free and organic and watch out for BPA (an industrial chemical used in plastic). Like almost all canned foods, there is usually toxic BPA in the lining of canned coconut milk and cream. We have had great results with 'Honest to Goodness' coconut milk but I'm sure there are other organic coconut milk brands that work just as well.
If you prefer not to use canned milk, you can learn how to make your own coconut cream from scratch the here.
A quick word of warning; coconut milk a la natural won’t behave! Straight from the yogurt maker your homemade coconut yogurt will not look like the consistent, smooth and bright-white, store-bought varieties. Good quality, organic coconut milk will separate, even after fermentation. When refrigerated and left to set, coconut cream will rise to the top and separate from the coconut water. (see the picture below) Don't panic - there is nothing wrong! Depending on the brand of coconut milk you use, the water may be yellowish and you might even get a fine layer of solid coconut oil right on top of the cream. No problem - you can lift this off after it has chilled and whip the layers together! Once whipped, the coconut yogurt will not separate again.
You will need a yogurt starter culture to introduce the fermentation of bacteria to your coconut milk. Use the amount of starter culture indicated on the packet. A good multi-strain probiotic or the contents of a capsule may also be used. Here is a list of SCD & GAPS friendly yogurt starter cultures. For more on probiotics click over to 24 hour yogurt Vs a probiotic pill.
Purchase Yogourmet non-dairy starter here
Thoroughly wash or sterilise your yogurt container, whisk and other utensils with boiling water.
