How to make coffee yoghurt? (3 benefits)

In this article, we will answer the question “How to make coffee yoghurt?” and discuss the different ways to make coffee yoghurt and the benefits of adding coffee to yoghurt.

How to make coffee yoghurt?

To make coffee yoghurt, you can simply add powdered coffee to plain yoghurt. Sugar can be added, according to personal preferences. Another method to make coffee yoghurt is to use milk and lactic acid cultures and produce homemade yoghurt added with coffee (1,2).

Coffee yoghurt is one of the products developed by the dairy industry to create different flavours of yoghurt and attract consumers (3). Coffee is a worldwide appreciated beverage and the addition of coffee to yoghurt can favour the consumption of yoghurt, which is a very healthy food (1).

How to make coffee yoghurt from plain yoghurt?

To make coffee yoghurt from plain yoghurt, you can just add instant coffee powder to the ready-to-eat yoghurt of your preference. Plain, sweetened or low-fat yoghurt can be used.

The amount of instant coffee is optional, as well as the addition of sugar or other sweeteners and flavourings. You can add cinnamon, vanilla and cocoa as possible variations to the coffee yoghurt.

A suggestion is the following (Adapted from 1,2,3):

  • 1 cup of plain full-fat yoghurt (250 g)
  • 12.5 g sugar (optional)
  • 1.75 g of instant coffee powder

Mix all the ingredients well to total solubilization and consume immediately.

How to make coffee yoghurt from homemade yoghurt?

To make coffee yoghurt from homemade yoghurt, you will need time and the right ingredients. Homemade yoghurt can be produced from whole milk with the addition of lactic yoghurt cultures (1,2,3).

Lactic cultures to produce yoghurt contain lyophilised lactic acid bacteria Streptococcus thermophilous and Lactobacillus bulgaricus, which can be found in commercial forms for household uses.

These two bacteria act in symbiosis, which means they facilitate each other growth to both convert lactose (the sugar present in milk) into galactose and glucose and generate several organic acids and other compounds, which compose the yoghurt flavour. 

To make yoghurt from homemade yoghurt, you will need the ingredients:

  • 1 litre of whole milk
  • 300 g of lyophilised yoghurt starter culture or the amount recommended by the manufacturer
  • 7 g of instant coffee powder
  • 50 g of sugar (optional)

Instructions:

Heat the milk to 95°C (200°F) and add the instant coffee powder and sugar, if desired. Cool it down to a temperature of 45°C (113°F) and add the yoghurt starter culture and mix well.

Divide the volume into small portions in beakers and place them in a warm place for 4 hours till the yoghurt consistency is achieved. The ideal temperature should be 42°C (107°F) (1). 

After a time of approximately 4 hours, place the beakers in the refrigerator till the yoghurt is cool.

What are the benefits of adding coffee to yoghurt?

The benefits of adding coffee to yoghurt are (1,2,3,4):

Coffee contains many antioxidants. According to studies, the addition of coffee powder or coffee extract to yoghurt increases its antioxidant properties.

Coffee polyphenols are related to several health benefits, such as preventing diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, Parkinson´s disease and some types of cancer.

The consumption of phenolics with proteins in an acidic medium, such as the one offered by yoghurt, can improve the bioavailability of these compounds and improve their absorption (1).

The addition of coffee or coffee extract to yoghurt can improve its viscosity, which means, the yoghurt becomes more consistent. It also helps reduce syneresis, which is the separation of whey, due to the interactions that occur between the coffee phenolics and the milk proteins (4).

The coffee flavour can slightly mask the acidity of yoghurt, which is not well accepted by some consumers and therefore favour its appreciation. According to studies, the addition of coffee extract to the production of yoghurt increased the sensory attributes of the product significantly.

Other FAQs about Coffee that you may be interested in.

Can you eat coffee cherries?

Conclusion

In this article, we answered the question “How to make coffee yoghurt?” and discussed the different ways to make coffee yoghurt and the benefits of adding coffee to yoghurt.

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References

1.-

Helal A, Cattivelli A, Conte A, Tagliazucchi D. In Vitro Bioaccessibility and Antioxidant Activity of Phenolic Compounds in Coffee-Fortified Yogurt. Molecules [Internet] 2022;27(20):6843

2.-

Tan G, Korel F. Quality of flavored yogurt containing added coffee and sugar. Journal of food quality. 2007 Jun;30(3):342-56.

3.-

Mathias TD, CARVALHO JR IC, Carvalho CW, Sérvulo EF. RHEOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF COFFEE-FLAVORED YOGURT WITH DIFFERENT TYPES OF THICKENER Caracterização reológica de iogurte sabor café com diferentes tipos de espessante. Alimentos e Nutrição Araraquara. 2012 Feb 3;22(4):521-9.

4.-

Mbae J, Koskei R, Mugendi B. Effect of Addition of Coffee Extract on Physicochemical and Sensory Properties of Yoghurt.European Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences. 2023.