How is mishti doi different from regular yogurt?
Mishti doi is Bengali sweet yogurt: milk is simmered down, sweetened with caramelized sugar or palm jaggery, then set with a spoonful of curd, traditionally in an earthen pot. Regular yogurt is not sweetened or reduced and is set from plain milk. The result is denser, sweeter, caramel-flavored and usually served as a dessert.
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What is the difference between mishti doi and yogurt?
Mishti doi (“sweet yogurt” in Bengali) is a dessert from West Bengal made by setting sweetened, reduced milk with a little curd. Plain yogurt is milk cultured as is, usually tangy and unsweetened. The differences come from the recipe:
| Mishti doi | Regular yogurt | |
|---|---|---|
| Sweetener | Caramelized sugar or jaggery | None |
| Milk | Simmered down first, to about three quarters of its volume in one recipe | Heated and cooled, not reduced |
| Color | Light tan to brown | White |
| Taste | Sweet, caramel, mild tang | Tangy, clean |
| Texture | Dense, creamy | Varies by fat and brand |
| Served as | Chilled dessert | Breakfast, snack, savory dishes |
How is mishti doi made?
One published Indian recipe uses 1 liter of full-fat milk, about half a cup of sugar and 2 tablespoons of curd as a starter. The milk is simmered until it reduces, the sugar is caramelized to golden and stirred in, the mixture is cooled to lukewarm, whisked with the curd and set in an earthen pot or bowl for 8 to 10 hours or overnight, then refrigerated. Other recipes use palm jaggery (often called traditional) or brown sugar and vary the quantities.
Does the earthen pot matter?
The clay pot is traditional and is said to give a thicker set, because the clay is porous and absorbs some moisture. We found no controlled comparison, and many cooks make it in steel or glass. Treat the pot as tradition, not a requirement.
Is mishti doi the same as sweetened yogurt?
Not quite. Stirring sugar into plain yogurt gives a sweet but thinner product without the caramel taste or the dense body from reduced milk.
Is mishti doi healthier than regular yogurt?
Plain yogurt has no added sugar; mishti doi is a sweet dessert and has added sugar and usually full-fat milk. Check the label of a bought version. People with diabetes or on a low-sugar plan should ask a doctor or dietitian.
How do you serve it?
Serve it chilled in small bowls or the clay cup it set in, often after a meal or at festivals, sometimes with chopped nuts. Use fresh curd as the starter; old or sour curd makes sour mishti doi.
People also ask
What is mishti doi?
A Bengali sweet yogurt made from reduced milk and caramelized sugar or jaggery, set with a little curd.
Is mishti doi the same as sweet yogurt?
No. It uses reduced milk and caramelized sweetener, so it is denser and has a caramel flavor, unlike plain yogurt with sugar stirred in.
Do you need a clay pot to make mishti doi?
No. A clay pot is traditional, but steel or glass bowls also work; we found no test showing a clear difference.
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