How to make an endless supply of buttermilk - The Easy Way

How to Make Live Cultured Buttermilk at Home

Materials Needed:

• Gallon of pasteurized milk
• Buttermilk starter culture or live cultured buttermilk
• Thermos or yogurt therm container
• Funnel
• Jug
• Fresh milk
• Container for storing buttermilk

Step 1: Introduction to Live Cultured Buttermilk

1. Live cultured buttermilk can be used as an ingredient in various recipes such as cheese making, baking, and marinating meats.
2. It acts as a mesophilic culture in cheese making and can be used to make cheeses like feta, blue, brie, camembert, and more.
3. Live cultured buttermilk can also be used in baking cakes, buttermilk biscuits, pancakes, waffles, and even sourdough bread.
4. It can be used to marinate chicken, beef, or pork to produce a juicy and tender bite.

Step 2: Making Buttermilk from Starter Culture

1. Heat one quart of pasteurized milk to 86 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Pour the milk into a thermos or yogurt therm container.
3. Add one pack of buttermilk starter culture and let it rehydrate for two minutes.
4. Stir the mixture gently.
5. Allow the container to sit on the counter for 12 to 24 hours.

Step 3: Checking the Buttermilk

1. After 12-24 hours, the buttermilk should have a consistency similar to soft yogurt.
2. It should no longer be liquid like milk and should pull away from the edges easily.
3. Taste the buttermilk to ensure it has a slight cultured smell and buttery notes.

Step 4: Making Buttermilk from Live Cultured Buttermilk

1. Save a small amount of buttermilk from the previous batch.
2. Pour fresh milk into a jug using a funnel.
3. Add the saved live cultured buttermilk to the fresh milk.
4. Shake the jug gently to mix the contents.
5. Place the jug in the warmest spot in your kitchen (ideally 70 degrees Fahrenheit or higher) and let it sit for 12 to 24 hours.

Step 5: Maintaining an Endless Supply of Buttermilk

1. To continue making buttermilk, save a small amount from each batch to use in the next.
2. Aim to make a fresh batch at least once a week to keep the bacteria active and healthy.
3. Avoid waiting too long between batches to ensure the bacteria remain strong and productive.

Step 6: Enjoying Your Homemade Buttermilk

1. Once the buttermilk has reached the desired consistency, store it in a container in the refrigerator.
2. Use your homemade buttermilk in various recipes like baking, cooking, or marinating.

By following these simple steps, you can create an endless supply of live cultured buttermilk at home, ensuring a fresh and versatile ingredient for your culinary endeavors.