Ikivuguto (Rwandan Fermented Milk)
In short: Whole milk soured with a spoonful of yogurt culture into a thick, tangy drink, served cold with meals or on its own in Rwanda. It takes about 20 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 10 min
- Resting
- 20 h
- Total
- 20 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 150 kcal
Ikivuguto is soured milk, and in Rwanda, a country of cattle keepers, it is as everyday as bread. Milk is left to sour until it becomes thick and tangy, then drunk cold in a glass or bowl, often with a meal of beans or potatoes. It is thinner than yogurt and sharper in flavor. This version uses a spoonful of live yogurt as a starter for a reliable, safe result.
Instructions
- Pour the milk into a clean pot and heat it gently to 82°C (180°F), stirring, until steaming at the edges. Hold it there for 2 minutes.
- Cool the milk to 40°C (105°F), the temperature of a warm bath. Whisk in the yogurt.
- Pour into a very clean jar, cover loosely with a lid or cloth and keep it somewhere warm, around 30°C (86°F).
- Leave for 16 to 24 hours, until it has thickened and smells pleasantly sour. A longer time makes it tangier.
- Stir the ikivuguto, taste and sweeten if you like, then chill for at least 2 hours. Serve cold.
Tips
- A warm spot such as the oven with only the light on works well. Do not shake the jar while it sets, or the milk may stay thin.
- Save 2 tablespoons from each batch as the starter for the next. After 5 or 6 batches the culture tends to weaken, so restart with fresh yogurt.
Questions and answers
What does ikivuguto taste like?
It is tangy and creamy, like thin plain yogurt or buttermilk. Some people add a little sugar.
Is ikivuguto the same as yogurt?
They are close, but ikivuguto is thinner, sourer and fermented at a cooler temperature than most yogurt.
How long does it keep?
Up to 5 days in the fridge. It gets sharper over time.
How long does it take to make Ikivuguto (Rwandan Fermented Milk)?
About 20 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 10 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Ikivuguto (Rwandan Fermented Milk)?
About 150 kcal per serving, with 8 g of protein, 12 g of carbohydrates and 8 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 150 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 8 g |
| Carbohydrates | 12 g |
| Fat | 8 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 12 g |
| Sodium | 105 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
