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

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

Creamy, tangy, and packed with gut-friendly goodness, it’s no secret why yogurts are consumed and adored all over the world. Plant-based yogurts 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 yogurt 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 Yogurt vs. Store Bought Yogurt

Why Store-Bought Yogurt is Great

Convenience

store bought yogurt

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 yogurt, you can go into any supermarket or convenience store and pick one up. No having to make some yourself or worry about homemade yogurt spoiling in the fridge. Your store-bought yogurt is ready when you are. 

Long Life

Speaking of spoiling, store-bought yogurts 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 yogurt. That can extend their shelf life greatly. And, plain and simple, plant-based yogurts can contain cultures and stabilizers to help prolong the shelf life. These aren’t as bad as people make them out to be. 

Unopened yogurt 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 flavors yogurt can come in. You get fruity ones and classic ones to choose from - just like regular yogurt. If you can’t have dairy, plant-based options are clearly the better choice. Other food sensitivities? You can get yogurts made with coconuts, cashews, soy, and even oats. There are options unlike the years before!

Consistency is Key

For many, yogurt 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

Yogurt lovers know all about the gut-friendly bacteria it contains. Oftentimes, that’s why people even eat yogurt. 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 yogurt at home? We’d rather not leave that to chance! 

Why You Should Consider Homemade Yogurt?

Full Control

home made yogurt

A little bit of this and a little less of that… Making homemade yogurt allows you to add as much and as little of, say, sweetness and flavors. Maybe you just want the oomph of a good yogurt without any extra flavor so that your smoothie will be thicker? Making your own homemade yogurt 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 yogurt 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 minimize potential waste.

Processing and Additives

Is homemade yogurt 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 yogurt gives you freedom from those ingredients. But, again, do remember to finish off any yogurt you make in a short amount of time. Yogurt 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 yogurt have probiotics? It could! Homemade yogurt 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 yogurt nutrition, you could consider making your own. Does homemade yogurt 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 Yogurt Here at PlantX!

vegan yogurt

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