Make your own Buttermilk
Another one of Paul’s Tips & Tricks
How to make your own Buttermilk
Buttermilk is something you don’t often see in Spain. Basically what it is, it’s the residual liquid left over after the making of Butter, ‘The Milk from Butter, hence the name Buttermilk. It’s flavour is a little like Yogurt and is used in many recipes. By the way, it takes 5ltrs of milk to produce 1/2 ltr of Buttermilk.
Why Buttermilk in Recipes?
If you see Buttermilk in a recipe it’s usually because the recipe also calls for Baking Soda (Bicarbonate of Soda) which needs something acidic to activate it, when the two mix, they react and produce Carbon Dioxide gas which is what makes the cake rise up. Baking powder contains two ingredients that do the same thing but there are certain recipes you have to use Baking Soda and sometimes Baking powder as well.
So, what to do if the recipe calls for Buttermilk and you don’t have any? There are a couple of things you can do, Mix 200g of Plain Yogurt (Unsweetened) with 50mls of Whole Milk and leave for about 25 minutes before use. or Mix 250mls Whole Milk with 1 tablespoon of either White wine vinegar or Lemon Juice. leave to stand for 25 minutes then use in your recipe.
Either of these will give you the same results as Buttermilk and can be stored in the fridge for about 3-4 days.
Category: Blog, Tips, Tricks & Techniques
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Yes, any acid really, I mostly use lemon juice.
Will apple cider vinegar substitute for the white wine vinegar?
Yes, no problem
Hi Paul, thanks for the insightful article.
Can Greek Yoghurt be used in place of Plain Yoghurt?
Regards 🙂
Thank you for the help on my crumpets.Going to try them today.
I would like to see more different bread recipes.. eg fruit and different kinds of bread other than a plain white which is great .
Many thanks
Hi Elizabeth,
The batter should be wet but thick—the consistency should be firm enough that you need a second spoon to scrape the batter off your mixing spoon. The ripeness of your fruit, as well as the type of fat you’re using, can cause the consistency to vary. I hope this helps
Hi Paul , I have tried your crumpets and English Breakfast muffins which are delicious. I cannot make enough for my family . I also tried the banana muffins which were a disaster I think my bananas might have been a bit large making them to wet . I would like to get them right as one of my daughters loves them and banana loaf I have tried other recipe with no success to I would appreciate any help many thanks
Smashing tip. Thanks, Paul!