What is Sauermilch and how is it used in cooking?
Sauermilch (also called Dickmilch) is a German-style soured milk: pasteurized milk thickened by lactic acid bacteria into a tangy, spoonable product milder than yogurt. It is eaten plain or with fruit, and in baking and cooking it can often replace buttermilk in cakes, waffles, bread and cold soups. It is not sour cream.
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What is Sauermilch?
Sauermilch, often sold in Germany as Dickmilch (thick milk), is milk soured and thickened by lactic acid bacteria at moderate temperature. It differs from yogurt mainly in the bacterial strains used. It is sold in different fat levels (whole, low-fat, skimmed). It is not made from sour cream.
How is Sauermilch used in cooking?
- Baking: often usable in place of buttermilk in cake batters, waffles, pancakes and bread. The acidity reacts with baking soda to make dough rise and tender.
- Cold soups and dressings: it gives a tangy base similar to buttermilk or thin yogurt.
- Breakfast: eat it plain, sweetened, or with fruit, honey or muesli.
- Marinades: the mild acid is used to tenderize chicken in some recipes, as with buttermilk.
What is the difference between Sauermilch, buttermilk and yogurt?
| Product | What it is |
|---|---|
| Sauermilch / Dickmilch | Milk fermented to a thick, tangy texture |
| Cultured buttermilk | Milk fermented with lactic acid bacteria, thinner and tangier |
| Yogurt | Milk fermented with yogurt strains at higher temperatures |
| Sour cream | Cream, not milk, fermented; much higher in fat |
What can you use instead of Sauermilch?
Plain yogurt thinned with a little milk, cultured buttermilk, or milk soured with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar per cup (left 5 to 10 minutes). These behave a little differently, and Sauermilch is usually milder than yogurt.
How do you store Sauermilch?
Keep it refrigerated and follow the date on the pack. After opening, use it within a few days and discard it if it has mold, smells off or looks pink or slimy. If a pack was not kept cold, throw it away.
Is Sauermilch the same as sour milk gone bad?
No. Sauermilch is a deliberately fermented product. Regular milk that has soured by spoilage is not safe to assume edible; if you have milk past its date, use the smell test cautiously and when in doubt throw it out.
Is it suitable if you are lactose intolerant?
It is still dairy and contains lactose, though fermentation may lower it. Tolerance differs; ask a doctor or dietitian if you are unsure.
People also ask
What is Sauermilch?
A German soured milk (Dickmilch): milk thickened by lactic acid bacteria into a tangy, spoonable product.
Can I use Sauermilch instead of buttermilk?
Often yes, in cakes, waffles, bread and cold soups, but check the recipe because the texture differs.
Is Sauermilch the same as sour cream?
No. Sour cream is fermented cream and much higher in fat; Sauermilch is fermented milk.
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