Hey there! Do you know what one of my favorite snacks is? It’s yogurt! Yogurt is creamy and tangy, which means it has a sour and strong taste. I think it’s super delicious! Sometimes, I enjoy yogurt for breakfast with some granola or fruit mixed in. Other times, it’s a perfect snack. Not only is it tasty, but it’s also really good for you!
Most yogurt is made from milk, usually cow’s milk, but there are other kinds too, like goat milk, sheep milk, and even buffalo milk yogurt! But the secret ingredient that makes yogurt thick, creamy, and tangy is something surprising: bacteria!
Bacteria are tiny living things that are too small to see with our eyes. You might have heard about bacteria when people talk about germs that can make you sick. But just like there are many different animals and plants, there are also many different types of bacteria. The bacteria used in yogurt are actually good for you!
Before making yogurt, yogurt-makers get rid of any bad bacteria in the milk by heating it up, a process called pasteurization. This step is important for making sure the milk is safe. Once the bad bacteria are gone, it’s time to add the good bacteria, known as probiotics. These probiotics help keep our stomachs healthy and can be an extra boost if you have an upset stomach or are taking certain medicines.
When probiotics are added to milk, they start to eat a type of sugar in the milk. As they eat, they turn it into lactic acid, which gives yogurt its creamy and tangy taste! There are different types of probiotics, and they can make yogurt taste a little different. Some yogurts have a strong flavor, while others are mild. The type of milk also affects the flavor, so cow’s milk yogurt tastes different from sheep’s milk yogurt.
You might have seen yogurts made from non-dairy milks like soy milk, coconut milk, or almond milk. The same probiotics used in dairy milk are added to these non-dairy milks to make yogurt. And, of course, we can add different flavors like vanilla or strawberry to make yogurt even more delicious!
Yogurts can also taste different because of sugar. More sugar makes yogurt sweeter, and flavored yogurts usually have more sugar than plain ones. It’s okay to have a little sugar, but too much isn’t good for you.
All this talk about yogurt is making me hungry! How about a nice bowl of fresh, tangy yogurt with some granola and raisins on top? Thanks for joining us! If you want to keep learning about our delicious, nutritious world, don’t forget to subscribe and check us out on the YouTube Kids app. See you next time!
Think about how the bacteria helped turn the milk into yogurt. What do you notice about the texture and taste?
At the end of the week, look back at your journal. What was your favorite combination? Did you learn anything new about yogurt?
