Is 91 degrees warm enough to incubate homemade yogurt? - Ask Extension
What is a safe temperature to incubate homemade yogurt at? I am making yogurt for the first time using a vintage 80s yogurt machine. I am worried the...
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Is 91 degrees warm enough to incubate homemade yogurt? #474153
Asked July 29, 2018, 8:04 AM EDT
What is a safe temperature to incubate homemade yogurt at? I am making yogurt for the first time using a vintage 80s yogurt machine. I am worried the machine may not be heating up enough as when I I temp checked it several different times it was only 91 degrees. From what I have read, that is lower than ideal incubating temperature, but it did “set up” beautifully, and looks like a thick yogurt. I am just worried it is not being kept warm enough to keep the yogurt safe to eat. Or Is it safe at that temperature and just takes longer to get to the proper thickness? Thanks in advance.
Bannock County Idaho
Expert Response
The recommended incubation temperatures for yogurt are between 108-115 degrees Fahrenheit. At lower temperatures, coagulation will take longer, and the end result will probably not be quite as thick.
As far as safety is concerned, heating the milk to 180 degrees Fahrenheit prior to cooling and adding the starter kills any native bacteria in the milk that could complete with the introduced cultures you will add. The native bacteria may also cause a food safety risk. So if you heated your milk to 180 degrees, you will probably not need to worry about the safety of your yogurt as long as you refrigerate it as soon as it reaches the desired thickness.
As far as safety is concerned, heating the milk to 180 degrees Fahrenheit prior to cooling and adding the starter kills any native bacteria in the milk that could complete with the introduced cultures you will add. The native bacteria may also cause a food safety risk. So if you heated your milk to 180 degrees, you will probably not need to worry about the safety of your yogurt as long as you refrigerate it as soon as it reaches the desired thickness.
