Welcome to What is Yogurt .org

What is yogurt? Simply put, yogurt is a creamy, tangy dairy product with a distinctive sour flavor.

This treat is thousands of years old and has undergone many changes in regards to the way that it is produced and consumed, but despite its rich history, the actual composition of yogurt hasn’t really changed.

What is Yogurt?

All yogurt starts as milk (usually cow milk, but you can also find goat, yak, and camel varieties too!) and is fermented by adding the safe, beneficial bacteria Streptococcus thermophilus, which is, strangely, related to the same pathogen that causes Strep throat. What is yogurt trying to do, kill us?! Just kidding – there is no need to worry at all.

If anything, thermophilus is assumed to be a health addition to the diet.

You may be wondering: if it’s all made from the same stuff, what is yogurt texture all about, then? A short fermentation process will create a runny, sour version of the treat; a longer fermentation period produces a thicker, tarter yogurt. Texture has nothing to do with ingredients, just processing.

But this simple treat isn’t really all that simple. When you ask, “What is yogurt made of?” you have to consider how many thousands of recipes have been invented for yogurt-based meals over the centuries.

The ingredients used to create the different flavors of yogurt range span from various sweet fruits to common flavors like vanilla, and recipes that are more exotic may include shockingly strange ingredients like mustard, mint, meat, and onions.

Okay, so fermented milk may not sound like the most appetizing food in the world, but don’t let that little fact ruin it for you. After all, this substance is a beautiful canvas for other flavors – it’s easy to completely alter the flavor and nutrient contents.

So what is yogurt, really? Well, the answer depends on how you eat it!

What is Greek Yogurt, and Why is it Different?

What is Probiotic Yogurt? What Makes it so Healthy?