Kumis is a fermented beverage that is quite popular throughout Latin America, especially in Colombia. It stands out for its refreshing flavor, its acidic note, and its numerous nutrients, among other things. It is usually made with curdled cow's milk and it is quite easy to make, so you can make it at home without any problems.
In the following article we tell you how to prepare your own homemade kumis following a few very simple and easy steps.
What is kumis?
Kumis is a fermented drink that has a certain similar to yogurt and kefir. The fermentation of milk causes the lactose in it to turn into lactic acid. This helps make kumis easy to digest and gives it a distinctive sour note.
Another unique feature of kumis is that it's prepared with curdled milk. This is achieved by allowing the milk to ferment naturally, either by adding a little lemon or vinegar or by leaving it at room temperature for several hours. Curdled milk is perfect for making curdled milk. a drink rich in probiotics.
What are the benefits of homemade kumis?
There are many benefits What does homemade kumis have:
- It is a drink that has natural probiotics, perfect for improving the intestinal flora.
- By not containing no lactose, is an ideal drink for those who are intolerant to it.
- Helps to strengthen the body's defenses.
- It is a wonderful source of proteins, vitamins and minerals.
- It is a healthy drink that does not have no artificial additives.
What ingredients will you need to make homemade kumis?
In case you decide to make your own kumis, you will need the next ingredients:
- 1 liter of pasteurized whole milk
- 2 tablespoons of lemon juice or white vinegar to curdle the milk
- 3 tablespoons of natural kumis or unsweetened natural yogurt as a starter culture.
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- Fruits or sweeteners to give it some flavor
How to make homemade kumis
Take good note of the necessary steps To prepare kumis at home:
Cut the milk
The first thing you need to do is heat the milk. When it's warm, add the lemon or vinegar. Let it sit for an hour so the milk separates from the whey. Finally, take a spoon and stir gently.
Prepare the culture
You can use a previously made natural kumis or natural yogurt as a starter culture. This step is very important because the culture contains a series of bacteria, which are essential for the fermentation of the kumis itself.
Mix the culture with the curdled milk
Take a glass container and add the curdled milk along with the culture. Add a little sugar to give the kumis some sweetness. Mix gently.
Fermentación
The next thing you need to do is cover the container with a clean cloth and secure it with a rubber band. Let it ferment at room temperature. for a dayRemember that the longer the fermentation time, the more potent the kumis' flavor will be.
Put in the refrigerator
Once the drink has fermented, take the container and cover it tightly. Place it in the refrigerator for about 4 hours before drinking. The coldness of the refrigerator is key. to stop fermentation and improve the texture of the drink.
Flavoring the kumis
This step is optional and helps give your kumis a personal flavor. You can use natural flavorings such as: fruits, liquid vanilla or honey. If you decide to add any flavoring, you should do so before putting the kumis in the refrigerator.
Some tips or recommendations
- Avoid using UHT milk since it does not ferment well.
- Everything must be clean to avoid possible contamination of the product.
- If you notice that the texture is too thick, you can add a little fresh milk before putting the kumis in the refrigerator.
- Don't spend all the kumis and save some to use as a starter culture for the next time you decide to make homemade kumis.
How to use homemade kumis
Besides being a healthy and delicious drink that you can drink alone, you can also use it in various ways or forms:
- Mix it with fruits to obtain nutritious smoothies.
- In salads or creams to give a special and particular touch.
- As a substitute for yogurt in pastry making.
- To marinate meats or fish.
In short, making homemade kumis with curdled milk will allow you to enjoy a healthy, delicious and refreshing drink. As you've seen, it's very easy to make, and you can transform ordinary milk into a magnificent source of probiotics, wonderful for digestive health. So, don't hesitate to try making your own kumis at home.