Comparing Store-Bought vs. Homemade Vegan Yoghurt: Which is Better?

Creamy, tangy, and packed with gut-friendly goodness, it’s no secret why yoghurts are consumed and adored all over the world. Plant-based yoghurts are not just for vegans and vegetarians. They’re also for those with more restrictive diets. That’s why they’re getting oh-so-popular these days. 

Let’s compare homemade yoghurt vs store-bought ones. Why? Because there are pros and cons with each of them. Allow us to run them through for you so that you can make a more informed choice!

Homemade Yoghurt vs. Store Bought Yoghurt

Why Store-Bought Yoghurt is Great

Convenience

The first and defining benefit of store-bought options is that they are easy to get and get a hold of. Just run to the store and, voilà, you get an aisle dedicated to this creamy treat. Any time you feel like eating yoghurt, you can go into any supermarket or convenience store and pick one up. No having to make some yourself or worry about homemade yoghurt spoiling in the fridge. Your store-bought yoghurt is ready when you are. 

Long Life

Speaking of spoiling, store-bought yoghurts tend to have a longer shelf life than homemade ones. One just can’t beat the sterile environment factories adhere to just to make a cup of yoghurt. That can extend their shelf life greatly. And, plain and simple, plant-based yoghurts can contain cultures and stabilizers to help prolong the shelf life. These aren’t as bad as people make them out to be. 

Unopened yoghurt lasts longer than opened ones. If you open up a cup (or a tub), make sure you don’t let it sit in the fridge for too long!

Full of Flavor and Variety

You’d be surprised at the variety of flavours yoghurt can come in. You get fruity ones and classic ones to choose from - just like regular yoghurt. If you can’t have dairy, plant-based options are clearly the better choice. Other food sensitivities? You can get yoghurts made with coconuts, cashews, soy, and even oats. There are options unlike the years before!

Consistency is Key

For many, yoghurt is all about texture. Have you tried making your own at home? It can get… Soupy. No one wants that! That’s why store-bought options are better in this case. You get consistent consistency (see what we did there?). 

Probiotics

Yoghurt lovers know all about the gut-friendly bacteria it contains. Oftentimes, that’s why people even eat yoghurt. If you want fuss-free probiotics, leave it to the experts to deliver. We mean, how much do we actually know about making probiotic-rich yoghurt at home? We’d rather not leave that to chance! 

Why You Should Consider Homemade Yoghurt

Full Control

A little bit of this and a little less of that… Making homemade yoghurt allows you to add as much and as little of, say, sweetness and flavours. Maybe you just want the oomph of a good yoghurt without any extra flavour so that your smoothie will be thicker? Making your own homemade yoghurt can give you that flexibility.

And the ingredients! You can go full organic or mix and match based on your preferences or budget. 

Budgeting

It’s like eating out vs cooking at home. Making homemade yoghurt would obviously be more cost-effective if you eat a lot of it. Do remember that ingredients will often be bought in bulk and you might not be able to use them all. Just make sure to grab just what you need and minimise potential waste.

Processing and Additives

Is homemade yoghurt good for you? Of course! Some prefer to avoid certain ingredients like additives and preservatives. If you’re one of those folks, more power to you! Homemade yoghurt gives you freedom from those ingredients. But, again, do remember to finish off any yoghurt you make in a short amount of time. Yoghurt like this would obviously spoil at a much faster rate than others - regardless if you keep it in an airtight and sterile container or not.

Probiotic Precision

Does homemade yoghurt have probiotics? It could! Homemade yoghurt allows you to choose the exact strain of bacteria. Believe it or not, this is a make-or-break decision for some. If you want more control and know your strains and homemade yoghurt nutrition, you could consider making your own. Does homemade yoghurt have more probiotics than store-bought? That depends. But now, you have more power over that. 

Also Read - Vegan Yogurt for Gut Health

Go for Yoghurt Here at PlantX!

If you prefer convenience and love a good variety, PlantX has many yoghurts for you to choose from. But, hey, if you want to make your own, you can always pick up your essential ingredients here.