Are you curious to find out whether you can mix yogurt with kefir? We had the very same questions which is why we have compiled all the information you will need on the topic.
So, without further ado, let us dive right in!
What Is Kefir?
Kefir is a drink that is thought to have originated in North Caucasus which is a subregion in Eastern Europe.
It is a portion of land that is a part of Russia and is sandwiched between the Sea of Azov, the Black Sea, and the Caspian Sea. But what exactly is kefir?
Well, it is actually a drink that is made from fermented milk from sheep, goats, or cows.
It is quite similar to Greek yogurt but it has a more sour flavor that is a result of the fermentation the milk has gone through.
This beverage is quite popular because it supports digestive health and is full of probiotics which are good bacteria that improve the health of your gut.
This is the kind of drink that you can purchase at your local store or make at home. If you dare.
It is all well and good for us to talk about how healthy kefir is, so let’s prove it. Below is a list of nutritional information for this amazing drink:
- Calories – One cup of Kefir contains about two hundred calories.
- Fiber – One cup of Kefir contains about one gram of fiber.
- Protein – One cup of Kefir contains about seven grams of protein.
- Sugar – One cup of Kefir contains about twenty-two grams of sugar.
- Fat – One cup of Kefir contains about eight grams of fat.
- Carbohydrates – One cup of Kefir contains about twenty-three carbohydrates.
On top of having excellent nutrients, kefir is also a great source of minerals and vitamins like calcium, vitamin K, phosphorus, vitamin C, and folate.
This drink is so healthy that there are some health benefits that go with consuming it regularly. The most famous benefits of consuming kefir is the constipation relief and the fact that it helps with digestion.
But, did you know that the good bacteria in kefir is also beneficial for the heart?
In fact, foods that have these good bacteria are great at helping purport cardiovascular health, lowering cholesterol, and even helping with weight loss.
Kefir normally has a slightly sweet yet fermented taste which may not appeal to everyone.
It is slightly bubbly and has a tangy taste which can be off-putting. You could mix kefir with yogurt. They are similar. But is it wise to do so?
Will The Bacteria In Kefir Kill The Bacteria In Yogurt?
The short answer is that by mixing these two products together there will be very minimal losses of good bacteria.
In fact, you are more likely to lose those good bacteria when you add other ingredients like fruit to the mix.
On top of that by exposing your kefir to the cold you may end up killing more bacteria.
Some dairy microbiologists with extensive experience in working with microorganisms have found that it is uncertain whether the bacteria in kefir and yogurt will kill each other.
This is because the microorganisms will have just end product limited and will have gone through a long phase of growth and by the time your kefir is bottled and able to be bought it will be in the decline phase of its lifestyle.
When you mix the bacteria from kefir with fresh milk or yogurt you will then make the bacteria re-enter the logarithmic phase of growth.
At this point, everything gets even more complicated. Some of these bacteria will produce molecules while others will antagonize that process.
While this does happen it does not happen to a strong degree which means that the loss of healthy bacteria is minimal at best.
Just because there is a slight decline in the good bacteria when you mix these two foods together does not mean that you shouldn’t do it.
So What Is The Difference Between Kefir And Yogurt?
Yogurt and kefir are actually very similar and there are not a lot of differences between the two. Both of these products are cultured dairy products and both are made from dairy.
The main differences between yogurt and kefir is how they are made and the bacteria that are present in each of them.
For example, kefir contains mesophilic culture which means that when it cultures it will do it at room temperature regardless of the starter culture that is used.
This means that kefir only has one strain which is a mixture of bacteria and yeast. All of which work together through various fermentation channels to create kefir.
Yogurt on the other hand usually has two kinds of starters, mesophilic and thermophilic.
This means that mesophilic yogurt will begin to culture at room temperature while thermophilic cultured yogurt will culture best at higher temperatures.
On top of the different ways that these two foods culture they also have a different taste. Kefir has a sweetish and tart flavor while yogurt tends to be milder.
So, while kefir and yogurt are very similar there are in fact a few small differences that set them apart. But can you actually mix kefir and yogurt together?
Can You Mix Kefir And Yogurt Together?
The answer to this question is yes. Kefir and yogurt will blend quite well together and most likely improve the taste.
There may only be a small loss in bacteria when you mix them together however that loss is minimal if you do not add anything extra and do not expose the mixture to low temperatures.
At the end of the day, mixing yogurt and kefir is totally up to you.
There will be no adverse effects on your health and for the most part, you will not lose much of the good bacteria that can be found in both of these products.
We hope that you enjoyed learning about whether you can mix kefir and yogurt together. Have a fantastic day!
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