Can homemade yogurt be made without a starter culture?

Here's why:

* Yogurt is fermented: Yogurt is made by fermenting milk with live bacteria cultures. These cultures, called starter cultures, are essential for converting lactose (milk sugar) into lactic acid.

* Lactic Acid is Key: Lactic acid is what gives yogurt its tangy flavor and thick texture. Without the starter cultures, the milk will not ferment and you will not have yogurt.

* Starter Cultures are Available: You can purchase yogurt starter cultures online or at most grocery stores. They are typically in powdered or liquid form and are easy to use.

Alternatives for those who want to avoid starter cultures:

* Using plain yogurt as a starter: This method uses live cultures from existing yogurt to ferment new batches. However, it's important to use plain yogurt that is unsweetened and contains active live cultures.

* Using kefir grains: Kefir grains are a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast that can be used to ferment milk into kefir, a fermented beverage similar to yogurt.

In conclusion: While there are ways to use existing fermented products to create yogurt, a starter culture is fundamentally necessary for the fermentation process that produces the distinctive yogurt we know and love.