Yogurt/Buttermilk

Originally buttermilk was made in the process of churning butter from cream. The leftover liquid is buttermilk. This was called traditional buttermilk. These days commercially available buttermilk which is also known as cultured buttermilk is made by fermenting dairy milk with bacterial culture. Back in those days this cultured buttermilk was called artificial buttermilk to denote that traditional buttermilk was natural buttermilk. These days even powdered buttermilk is available which can be mixed with water to get the liquid form.

Yogurt is made by fermenting cow’s milk using yogurt cultures. The fermentation process converts the lactose into lactic acid and that gives it the tangy taste.

Both buttermilk and yogurt come in low fat and non-fat varieties.

Buttermilk supposedly helps in digestion, reduces acidity and believed to reduce blood pressure too. Yogurt is an excellent source of calcium, protein, riboflavin, vitamins B6 and B12.

Both buttermilk and yogurt are good egg substitutes especially while baking muffins, cakes and cupcakes. It gives the baked goods a nice airy and light texture. Buttermilk and yogurt can be used interchangeably in baking recipes. If you are not able to find buttermilk, dilute yogurt with few drops of water and use it instead. Another substitute would be mixing lemon juice/vinegar with milk (either dairy or non-dairy if vegan).

Yes there is a substitute for buttermilk. If you have yogurt or sour cream at home you can dilute it by adding few drops of water and use it in place of buttermilk or mix some lemon juice/vinegar with milk (dairy or non-dairy).