This article was written by The Zillennial Zine’s spring editorial intern Asa Conroy. Find them on Instagram at @asakayconroy. If you would like to share an article with The Zillennial, send us an email at thezillennialzine@gmail.com.
TikTok is always looking for new ways to enjoy food. We’ve had cucumbers, mac & cheese, and even pickled garlic. However, this time they’ve got something new for breakfast. Dry yogurt. Specifically, dry yogurt bowls. All the fun of yogurt with a new texture. TikTok unsurprisingly adds to the fun with bright colors and decorated bowls, but that doesn’t really answer any questions. So, what is dry yogurt? Where did it come from and how could you make your own?
What is Dry Yogurt?
Dry yogurt in its simplest instruction is to drain your yogurt of all water. Instead of a smooth, pudding-like texture that often isn’t fully solid but not always drinkable. It does vary. Dry yogurt has one ideal texture, similar to a soft cheese or clay. It could even get a bit powdery depending on the dryness. The result of drying your yogurt is a thick, creamier, and spreadable product or into a bowl with toppings.
How to Make Dry Yogurt?
If you’re looking to make dry yogurt the process is pretty simple. You just need yogurt, paper towels, and a refrigerator. TikTok creators put yogurt inside a paper towel and then press out the moisture. You can also use any alternative straining such as a cheesecloth and a fine mesh strainer if you prefer. Additionally, people recommend to include a pinch of salt, but not everyone chooses to add this to their TikTok recipe. Refrigerate the mixture for up to 48 hours. That is the maximum time I’ve seen from several recipes, but the result should be described above. If after 48 hours your yogurt doesn’t look dry enough it could take more time. That is unless there is still too much liquid in your yogurt.
This Sounds Familiar…
If you can say that I admire your palate because this trend is compared to several dry yogurt dishes. The first and most popular comparison is labneh. Labneh is a Middle Eastern dish that is often used as a dip or a spread. This recipe is similar but includes sea salt which helps the drying and thickening process. This recipe dries the yogurt using two layers of cheesecloth and dries over 24 hours in the fridge. It is also can be a breakfast dish or an appetizer but can be a bit on the savory side with vegetables, olive oil, mushrooms, and bread (specifically pita!). An important addition to all labneh recipes from what I’ve seen is Za’atar spices (usually a combo of oregano, thyme, and marjoram) and other herbs.
But That’s Not that Only One
As I’ve said there are some other dishes. The second and third most popular dishes are kashk and shrikhand. They are both dry yogurt dishes and some describe as an “acquired taste” to those not used to this meal. Kashk is fermented made with equal parts water and yogurt. After simmering for several hours until all liquid is evaporated. What’s left should be lose pulp that can be blended with more water and salt before being dried with a cheese cloth.
Shrikhand or shikarni is a desert dish from the Indian states of Gujarat and Maharashtra. This recipe calls for strained yogurt, powdered sugar, cardamoms, and optional saffron & nuts. You can make it with a similar process to labneh (this recipe even says you can substitute pre-made labneh to skip a few steps). After the straining process, you move onto the sweetening. You could make a few variations with mango, rose syrup, or fruits. This one definitely seems the closest.
What are the Benefits of Dry Yogurt?
Obviously, there had to be something more than fun colors and using paper towels. Dry yogurt has several nutritional benefits, on top of some that are more about versatility. Although, I will say that these benefits don’t make it any healthier than all yogurts, but it is a nice way to add variety while still creating a healthy meal.
- High in Protein: It can depend on the yogurt or how you make it, but generally dry yogurt can have up to five grams of protein per ounce. The concentration of protein is also denser than traditional yogurt (per-gram basis) because the lack-of water. Protein is great for supporting muscle function and managing blood sugar.
- Rich in Calcium: Similarly, dry yogurt is loaded with calcium because of the higher density. Calcium is good for strong bones, dental health, muscle function, and hormone regulation.
- Full of Probiotics: Yogurt in general is good for gut health. The probiotics help restore the flora in your guy biome and boost overall digestion. Dry yogurt also retains the live probiotics to keep you regular.
- Versatility: As shown with the similar dishes, dry yogurt is a versatile snack. It can be eaten on its own or added to other meals. For breakfast, you could spread it on toast or add to your oatmeal. For lunch or dinner, you could turn it into a dressing for salad. Or it can be a healthy desert. Dry yogurt could also be sweet or savory, so it can match any meal plans.
- Pack and Carry: Another part of its versatility, it is easy to take anywhere. You could put it in a bag or box for an easy lunch or snack option. It is especially good for hiking or other outdoor activities where you just need a quick bite. However, you would sacrifice cute yogurt bowl designs for a dry “gogurt”
- Preservation: If you decide to add salt to your recipe, your dry yogurt will most likely last longer in your refrigerator. Although this does increase the overall sodium content. This could be good for your muscles and nerves, but not so much for your blood pressure. So, this is also a slight negative.
How Should I Eat Dry Yogurt?
That all depends on you. You can choose between portable yogurt balls or less portable yogurt bowls with toppings. The recipes for shrikhand, lepnah, and khask all have their suggestions that can work just as well. But it’s basically anything that you would put with regular yogurt. Fruits, syrup, nuts, peanut butter, granola, chocolate ships, or whatever else you can think of! Like I mentioned there is a ton of versatility beyond the flavors of yogurt. If you’re thinking of making some dry yogurt for yourself, think of what meal you’re making it for. If you’re following TikTok’s suggestions, you could also add some artificial food coloring to brighten things up. This one works best for desserts. Or to make your breakfasts a bit sunnier! Hope you have fun drying your yogurt!
What do you think of dry yogurt? Do you think you’ll eat it? Let us know in the comment section below!
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