Image Source – Shutterstock
We consume and extraordinary amount of yogurt in our household. We have it for breakfast with fruit or granola or in smoothies, I spoon it over curries and spicy dishes, I mix it with equal parts of lighter-than-light mayo for a low calorie salad dressing/dip, I make cakes with it.
In the autumn of 2015 I had the pleasure of trying out the Hansells Yogurt Starter Kit. They’d sent me one of their starter kits and a selection of different yogurts to try out with it.
I admit I was skeptical.
Image Source – Shutterstock
I’ve been making my own homemade plain natural yogurt for over ten years in one litre batches with an electronic Lakeland yogurt maker. It was really simple – 4 tbsp skimmed milk powder stirred into one litre of UHT supermarket brand full fat milk and one heaped tablespoonful of [a popular UK organic brand] plain natural yogurt as a starter. I could then take one tablespoon from each fresh batch to start off the next lot of yogurt, and repeat for five or six batches. Six litres of plain natural yogurt would cost me about £5. It was fantastic.
Until something changed. The yogurt no longer turned out the way it was supposed to. It was thin and curdled and not like yogurt was supposed to be at all. I suspect the brand of yogurt I was using no longer had as many active cultures in it. After spending such a long time trying to find a decent replacement brand I stopped making my own yogurt and we had to start buying shop bought again.
Image Source – Shutterstock
Until Hansells sent me their yogurt starter kit.
I mind trying another brand starter kit many, many years ago, but the sachets were full of thickeners and sweeteners and the texture was all wrong. Thickeners do not belong in yogurt! So yes, I was skeptical. What exactly was in these sachets of yogurt from Hansells?
The answer? Whole milk powder, four active cultures and two probiotics! No rubbish! Even the flavoured yogurts just have a bit of sugar, some natural flavouring and natural colouring (like beet red).
And they taste fantastic!
Image Source – Shutterstock
They’re so simple to make too. Simply fill the provided 1 kg container half full to the first with cold water from the tap, add the contents of your chosen sachet, pop the lid on and shake, shake, shake (doing a little dance in your kitchen, of course!), fill to the top line, shake again, open the lid slightly to release excess air, and close again. Boil your kettle, fill the yogurt maker to the right line for your climate (we’re in a cold climate so I have to fill it to the top line), pop the tub in, affix the lid and leave for 8-10 hours or overnight and presto – gorgeous, thick, creamy and delicious yogurt!
Each 1 kg batch will keep for 2 weeks in the refrigerator, so you can always have yogurt on hand when needed.
I’m a Hansells convert now. My old Lakeland electric yogurt maker has been given away and there’s always a batch of Hansells yogurt in my fridge now.
The Hansells Yogurt Starter Kit retails for £22.60, but it’s currently on offer from Hansells directly (and Amazon) for only £14, and this includes the yogurt maker, a 1 kg container, 2 x 500 gram containers and six varieties of yogurt to try. You can then buy replacement sachets for between £10-£13 for six – working out to be from £0.83 to £1.13 for 500 grams.
GIVEAWAY
Hansells have very kindly offered the chance for one of my UK readers to win one of their Hansells Yogurt Starter Kits worth £22.60. Simply fill out the Rafflecopter entry form below!
HOW TO ENTER
For your chance to win a Hansells Yogurt Starter Kit worth £22.60, enter using the Rafflecopter form below. Come back and tweet about the giveaway every day for more chances to win!
TERMS & CONDITIONS
This giveaway is open to UK entries only. Entrants must be age 18 or over. The winners will need to respond within 30 days of being contacted; failure to do this may result in another winner being selected.
The prize is offered and provided by Hansells. The prize is to win Hansells Yogurt Starter Kit worth £22.60. There is no cash alternative and the prize is not transferable.
There is no entry fee and no purchase is necessary to enter this giveaway. The promoter (Elizabeth’s Kitchen Diary) reserves the right to cancel or amend the giveaway and these terms and conditions without notice.
Entry into our giveaways will be deemed as acceptance of these terms and conditions.
If you need some help using Rafflecopter, here’s a quick clip to show you how. Rafflecopter will pick the winners at random from all the entries received. I will be verifying entries and any automated entries or those who have claimed they have made the mandatory blog post comment and really haven’t will be disqualified. It’s mandatory!
Closing date is midnight (that’s 00:00 hours, 12 am on Friday night/Saturday morning) on Saturday 30 January 2016 (GMT) and the winner will be announced shortly afterwards.
If you want to be kept up to date on my recipes, occasional craft tutorials, adventure stories and giveaways then please subscribe to my weekly newsletter; it gets sent out every Monday morning if there is new content. Your email address won’t be passed on to anyone, you will never be spammed and you are free to unsubscribe at any time, no questions asked. Make sure you confirm your subscription or you won’t receive the newsletter – if it hasn’t arrived check your junk mail folder.
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Elizabeth’s Kitchen Diary was sent a Hansells Yogurt Starter Kit for review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are our own. This is not a paid post.
This post also contains an Amazon affiliate link, highlighted in orange, which means if you click through and make any purchase at all via Amazon we will get a small commission and you will be helping to support our family.
Mum of three, daydream adventurer, OU Life Sciences graduate, occasional crafter, ex-pat Canadian & quite possibly Britain's most northerly food blogger.
Kay Panayi says
Sometimes with fruit sometimes with choc chips
George Worboys Wright says
With fruit
tracy sinclair says
I eat it just on its own x
Su Brett says
love yogurt with fresh fruit for breakfast
Natalie Crossan says
With banana and honey x
Tammy Neal says
I add it to cereals and smoothies or eat it on it’s own xx
Karen Smith says
Straight from the pot. Have to confess I’m a lid licker
Karen Howden says
straight out of the carton, I prefer natural yogurt and would love the opportunity of making my own
Annette Walker says
With strawberries, yummy!
Lisa Woodcock says
I like it just as it is!
Lisa Mauchline says
On its own or I dip digestive biscuits in
Joanna Sawka says
with fruits and muesli
Charlotte Summers says
with loads of fruit
jackie curran says
I like yoghurt on soft fruit
teresa sullivan says
With redcurrants
teresa sullivan says
Plain or with raw redcurrants. Yum!
rebecca beesley says
we love yogurt with our curries.
Kerry Smith says
Love it with a good dollop of local honey
rebecca nisbet says
over bananas and apples for breakfast.
jessica cook says
I love yoghurt in smoothies for breakfast
donna browne says
on its own
MICHELLE KEMP says
with banana and honey for me
Gwen Biviano says
I eat it as it is with nothing added!
Jill fairbank says
A lovely big dollop on my muesli
claire little says
on it’s own
Andrew Hindley says
with fresh fruit
karen salisbury says
strawberry and pomegranate
Melanie Burton says
On its own with a spoon!
zoe g says
i mix it with special k
simon hardy says
with granola and honey
gemma brown says
i love yoghurt on its own, mixed with fruit , on top of breakfast
Vicky Loveday says
In a bowl with a big spoon of grape nuts.
Heather Harris says
poured over fresh fruit
Linda Bird says
Usually with some fruit stirred through.
maggie riordan says
i LOVE PLAIN YOGURT AND RUNNY HONEY, BUT ALSO COFFEE YOGURT USING A FEW DROPS OF CAMP COFFEE AND SOME SPLENDA SWEETENER
natalie blyth says
i love eating yogurt on its own
Lucy Carter says
I eat it with granola or fruit for breakfast
Katrina downie says
With flaming hot curries
Angie Hoggett says
I like my yoghurt with nuts and berries
Hayley Todd says
I love eating yoghurt just as it is! There is nothing nicer than fresh made yoghurt! I also like to mix it with various nuts, granola and oat flakes as a yummy mid-morning snack!
jo liddement says
I enjoy making a raita with yogurt and adding a splash on top of a chilli is actually very cooling and nice and in the summer I love mixing fruit from the garden mixed with natural yogurt to create my own flavours
Catriona Hutchinson says
With EVERYTHING! All meals of the day. Would love to have a crack at making my own as we buy so much.
Erica Price says
As it comes for breakfast
Alisa Moore says
on its own
Lynsey Buchanan says
I love yogurt with fruit for breakfast
Kerry Kilmister says
With mixed berries and honey
caroline kelly says
Errrrmmm with a spoon?
Julie says
With strawberries and blueberries generously added by myself.
The Hansels twitter isn’t working from the rafflecopter by the way 🙁
Ellen Stafford says
With granola and fruit
Nancy Bradford says
I like natural Greek style yogurt with fresh fruit.
Rachel Wise says
I love with museli and fruit for breakfast
Rachel McMillan says
I add it to smoothies
sarah says
on its own, with fruit, sometimes thick yoghurt with some cheesecake or pie, various ways really
jamie millard says
in a mixed berries smoothie
Hayley Mulgrove says
I like to eat my yogurt with over night oats
Lauren Old says
With blueberries and honey
mike proffitt says
Always on its own, never made my own but would like to try
sarah fielding says
With lots of fruit!
Dale Dow says
with granola or in a smoothiw
Alison says
On its own, love it
Jenny Barker says
On its own :0)
Kelly Hanson says
With fresh blueberries and strawberries…. Yum!
Vickie Jackson says
Either plain with cereal, vanilla with blueberries or vanilla with maple syrup/honey yummy 🙂
Lana george says
Usually on granola with fresh fruit
Adrian Bold says
With muesli or crushed nuts. Also on its own!
katherine b says
I eat mine with honey and raisins
lisa ann tebbutt says
breakfas or lunch in work
sarah bramble says
with fresh cherries and chocolate drops.
Jennifer Rhymer says
Sometimes for breakfast or sometimes after lunch, just on its own but I love lots of different flavours
Nicola S says
Dolloped in a bowl with runny honey drizzled over the top. The rest of the family are more extravagant!
Sandra Clarke says
I like yoghurt with some fresh fruit.
Bridgette West says
On top of banana then honey on top for breakfast Yummy 🙂
Victoria Prince says
Usually just on it’s own, sometimes with fresh fruit – if I do that usually berries and usually raspberries!
sharon martin says
with a spoon 😉
Emily Hutchinson says
With a sprinkle of granola
kim manson says
I love to eat it straight out of the tub or with some homemade strawberry syrup yummy
Lara Latchem says
On pancakes topped with fruit xx
Jessica Powell says
I like mine with fruit 🙂
Nikolina Ho says
I eat my yoghurt with biscuits for breakfast
don erwood says
With agave nectar and walnut halves
trevor linvell says
With berries and nuts at breakfast
Dawn Hull says
With honey and either walnuts or hazelnuts.
Patricia Whittaker says
I love natural yoghurt everyday for breakfast with raspberries and blueberries and the same for pudding.
Elisabeth Ries says
With honey and dried fruit
Denise Seddon says
Natural low fat yoghurt with some granola or berries such as blueberries
Louise Fairweather says
I just eat it as it is
Mary Chez says
With fruit and honey
Ruth Goddard says
with a teaspoon (always laughed at but it saviours the moment)
Kathrine B says
for breakfast with fresh blueberries
Aaron Milne says
Straight from the pot for breakfast
Bev B says
Mostly on its own with some berries.
Patricia Avery says
My favourite way of eating natural yogurt is to top it with homemade raspberry vinegar 🙂
Kelly Goodall says
With Banana slices
Kerry Miller says
This would be amazing to win, we get through tonnes of yoghurt a week as we all have different tastes
Kerry Miller says
Pressed before I answered lol – I eat mine on it’s own, over fruit, over cereal, mixed with honey or maple syrup
Tammy Tudor says
I enjoy yoghurt over banana slices
Karl Wells says
On its own or drizzled with a drop of honey
elaine stokes says
for breakfast on its own, or I like to dip my banana in it
hayley cooper says
WITH AN ALPEN LIGHT BAR CRUMBLED OVER THE TOP – YUM, YUM
sallyann Johnston says
On fresh fruit & granola with some honey x
Robyn Logan Clarke says
With muesli for breakfast or with fruit for an afternoon snack
Vicky Online says
I had a yoghurt maker about 30 years ago. I bet the technology has moved on a lot since then. It would be cool to find out.
Diana says
On cereal or on it’s own 🙂
Kiran Parry says
On its own
Tasha says
With added fruit
Mark Johnson says
on it’s own
Lisa Wilkinson says
With Greek honey
Kayleigh Robinson says
Over fruit and granola
Barbara Handley says
I add it to my breakfast porridge and eat it as a snack mixed with fresh fruit pieces later in the day.
Julia P says
Straight from the carton, at breakfast
nina kennedy says
A curry is naked without yoghurt
Alison Clark says
On its own – I love yoghurt I dont see the need to add much to it sometimes I do add a banana though .
Mandy S says
I chop up nuts or fruit and mix into yogurt
Pamela Gossage says
With strawberries
Nicola Tayler says
Greek, with mandarins, granola and a drizzle of honey
Caroline Blaza says
Just with a spoon x
donna l jones says
i have honey
Jess Mary says
I always eat it with honey, nuts and dried fruit! xx
Herbert Appleby says
right out the pot
Elspeth McMillan says
I eat mine over fruit
Ella Swinbank says
I like to eat yogurt either plain natural or with fruit.
Sheri Darby says
I eat it very slowly with a very small spoon.
Vera Bahounkova says
With fresh fruit and honey
Jayne Wilson says
I like mine with fresh fruit and granola
aaron broad says
I eat it on it’s own or poured over fruit
Rebecca Howells (@PeanutHog) says
Straight from the pot with a spoon or on museli or on fruit.
Rachel white says
I love it as it is.. yummy!
Abida says
With banana and a drizzle of raw honey, mmm
Rose says
With a spoon!
Rachel Craig says
Aree.
charlotte says
i like mine with a bit of dry cereal and dried fruit mm
Jo Hutchinson says
With fresh fruit
Emily Clark says
With blueberries and honey!
Lauren Lee says
I like plain yogurt with honey, oats and blueberries!!!yummy yum!!!
Barbara Jane Shaw says
Just with a spoon as it comes!
Sarah Norgrove says
Greek style with honey
Corinne Peat says
Just on its own
Gemma Massey says
Over cereal xx
Samantha R says
Usually with granola!
Lisa hooper says
Layered between porridge oats and fresh fruit. Left overnight in the fridge. Lovely!
Lorraine Polley says
i love it added to fresh fruit for dessert
michelle speight says
poured on some prridge aots ans left overnight
Andy Kadir-Buxton says
With fruit
Louise Lumsden says
with rhubarb from my garden & if I don’t have any available, with some home made lemon curd
EJ Dunn says
I just have it on its own 🙂
Chrissie Curtis says
I love it over apple, grape and strawberry/
Lyla says
Straight from the tub with a spoon
laura cooper says
In a smoothie in the morning!
Tanya Brannan says
I very rarely eat yoghurt as a lot of it is too full of rubbish for me. This sounds a great way of doing it, and I certainly am entering the competition! Thank you for the opportunity
Tx
Laura Nice says
fresh strawberries and raspberries!
Jodie Darnley says
With some honey and pistaschios
Susan B says
I like to eat my yoghourt plain and straight out of the carton.
carolyn joyce says
I love it on its own – especially natural goats yoghurt – delicious!
Life as Mum says
I love adding cereal and fruit to my yoghurts x
Ruth Harwood says
Dipping a digestive biccy into it!!
Jackie Kelly says
I use it in smoothies, on cereals and straight out of the pot – yum!
carole n says
with fruit and nuts
CAT CULMER says
plain with a touch of honey, preferably in Greece!
Sarah Davison says
I like it on a morning for breakfast with prunes.
bobbie minthull says
out of the pot. i love greek yoghurt the best
laura banks says
just by itself
Steve Weaver says
I love it with some wholegrain wheat added, or cracked wheat. Gives it a lovely bit of texture
Rachel says
I am currently obsessed with yoghurt on Granola, though ive never made my own x
Ema J Lowe says
with granola or fresh strawberries
Rich Tyler says
Added to all sorts! 🙂
Krzysia says
If It’s plain I’ll add some homemade jam and/or granola.
Suzie W says
With a spoon- by itself
Tanya Camilleri says
with honey and oats
Maggie E says
With fruit
leanne weir says
with blueberries
Laura Pritchard says
Mixed with fresh berries!
Ray Dodds says
With fruit as its in season
Paul T says
For breakfast with muesli
ROBERT MCINTOSH says
Just about anyway I can!
Charlotte Shaughnessy says
I eat my yoghurt with strawberries
claire woods says
i like it plain.
Josie Mellor says
I love yoghurt. I eat it mainly with fruit but I also add it to smoothies and pour it over my granola.
Pam Smith says
I love it with chopped bananas and honey
Kate Knight says
Withnhoney
Amanda says
With a squirt of honey and chopped fruit 🙂
John Frost says
On my weetabix
Laura says
On its own but I’d really like to try Bircher porridge
Alix Smith says
I love thick Greek yogurt with strawberries – yummy!
Allan Smith says
With frozen grapes and blueberries
Tori Gabriel says
What a great giveaway. I have never tried making my own yoghurt before. I tend to always go shop bought. I would love to attempt my own as the entire household likes yoghurt.
I add it to smoothies.
Leila Benhamida says
Just on its own
irene gilmour says
with fruit or on its own
Fashion and Style Police says
Beautiful images. I am not really a yoghurt lover. I get bored with it pretty quickly.
Natalie Charman says
2 at a time with a spoon!!
Mandi Morrison says
in secret in my utility room so the children don’t try and steal it!
Mummy Fever says
I love it mixed with granola for breakfast
dominika says
Ahhh this giveaway is so exciting! I have seen Yogurt starters before and I must say I really wanted to have one!
Dominika
Iona Cornish says
With fresh fruit for breakfast
Ickle Pickle says
What a great give away! This looks so good, I have never made my own yoghurt. Kaz x
Kristy Brown says
I like mine with fruit
kate kathurima says
Natural and plain at the end of the night
Emma White says
oh this looks amazing we eat a lot of it here but never thought of making it myself
Ana De- Jesus says
Gorgeous imagery! I would love a starter kit natural yoghurts and berries are one of the most delicious yet healthy deserts you can have.
Alissa says
I love eating my yoghurt with blueberries
Tracy says
With fruit and almond butter or a little honey and chocolate shavings if I want something really swet
MANDY DOHERTY says
Fruit & honey x
Karis says
With fruit
Courtney kemal says
When I’m on a strict diet, I’ll eat my yogurt with juice light fruits like strawberries diced up and throw them in the yogurt, If I feel slightly cheeky, I’ll have granola (so carby so just as a treat) with my yogurt with some fruits on top, or if I feel naughty I’ll raisins (once again, as a treat because they are rather carby) or a banana! 🙂
I love Yogurt!
~~***~~ XOXO ~~***~~ Thanks so much for a chance to win at your generous giveaway!! ~~***~~ XOXO ~~***~~
sarah rees says
I eat mine on pancakes
Jo Carroll says
I started making up my own yoghurts using the excellent Easiyo satchets a few years ago and have yet to come across anything better but I’d love to give hansell’s a go to see how it compares? x
Nayna Kanabar says
I too make my own yoghurt and having the right starter is most importance. This yoghurt maker sounds great but is it powdered milk you are using because I read that you add water to the mix???
Elizabeth says
The main ingredient is powdered milk, yes. What do you use as a starter for yours? I tried so many brands but just gave up in the end.
Kerri says
With a big spoon!
fozia Akhtar says
For everything…on its own and in cooking
Meena Hindmarch says
With fruit and muesli
Emma Ellams says
With fresh fruit. Yum 🙂
S Bufton says
I eat it as a dessert
Ashleigh Allan says
With granola!
Claire says
This is a great giveaway, I love making my own yoghurt, it’s delicious with fresh fruit and granola for breakfast 🙂
jennifer thorpe says
I eat it on top of fresh fruit or meusli
Claire Wilson says
Greedily, straight from the tub. I don’t have to share in my house! Good with granola too 🙂
Hayley F says
I either eat it out of the pot or put it in my nutribullet x
patricia adams says
On fruit salad.
Jennifer Bradshaw says
I love fat free Greek yogurt with cinnamon, honey and peanut butter!!
Suzanne O'Neill says
i love it over granola or frozen as a sweet treat!
Dadmac says
I pick brambles and make homemade jam and put this in my yogurt, absolute heaven.
Clair Dukes says
I love yoghurt on my granola and fruit.
Clair Dukes says
Yogurt!
Annette Oliver says
With honey
Louise A says
with honey and fruit
Amy Rennocks says
With Granola and Honey <3
Leah says
I eat my yoghurt just as it is very plain and onbit’s own.
Ben Audsley says
with strawberry jam!
Lucy I says
Out of a pot currently
Claire Willmer says
I like mine with freshly sliced fruit 🙂
Sue C says
I just eat it plain on its own…when I was a kid though, my mum made yoghurt and then we used to have it with brown sugar on top. Yum!
katie w says
as a desert or in a smoothie
Kim M says
Love it with homemade granola and honey
Kelly L says
With berries and granola!
Iris W says
Over a chopped banana with some cinamon sprinkled over it or on some corn flakes
Heather Wilson says
Strawberry
Samir Lola says
With banana and blueberries
Paula Readings says
I like mine with honey
DEBBIE HAY says
With chopped Fruit
rachael jones says
i eat yoghurt with home made granola or fresh fruit 🙂
Emily Knight says
I love mine for breakfast, with fresh fruit and honey!
Anna says
I love it with my own home made birche muesli, grated apple etc or with chopped nuts and nutella
Nicki Evans says
With nuts, raisins and honey.
Rena Plumridge says
On fruit in the morning or for dessert
Becky Yeomans says
I eat my yogurt with strawberries, banana and blueberries with honey and mixed seeds! 😀
Simon tutthill says
I always love to put some strawberries in my yoghurt,tastes gorgeous!
Fiona K says
I eat it with mixed fresh fruit such as strawberries, blueberries and chopped grapes
adeinne tonner says
I eat it while enjoying an apple
Samantha Loughlin says
With fruit compot
KATHY D says
with chopped up pear and grapes
Rachel Stephenson says
Honey, oats and banana
clair downham says
in a bowl on its own or with some berries
Paula Barker says
For breakfast with muesli
laura stewart says
i eat mine with fruit xx
kim neville says
Either on its own or with some strawberries or blueberries
Sam Goodwin says
usually blueberries, topped with yogurt, and then granola!
andrea tinkler says
I love putting fruit in mine, especially red fruit
Tracy Hanley says
I have yogurt on my bowl of fruit for breakfast
Tracey Parker says
Either made into a tandoori marinade, raita or add home grown fruits to it for a sweet treat
Keith Hunt says
I fill the dish with rice krispies and lots of lemon yogurt
Judith Allen says
I like it as raita with curry and rice. Or to just eat it.
Sally Collingwood says
On cereal
Helen Moulden says
With some fresh fruit added!
StressedMum says
Either straight out of the tub or with fruit
ElizM says
with dark brown sugar or honey or with muesli
Liam Bishop says
Just out the pot, but I lick it off the back of a spoon. Is that weird?
Julie Ward says
Out of the tub on its own
Michelle o'neill says
i love mine on museli x
Paul Johnston says
I eat my yoghurt far too fast! Never enough of it.
Daniella says
We’re a big fan of Yoghurt in our house. I tend to buy plain or greek yoghurt and put my own chopped fruit into it or chai seeds.
angela white says
over fruit
cheryl price says
I eat my yogurt on grapefruit with bran flakes sprinkled on top of the yogurt for crunch
Gerri Tennant says
With fresh fruit chopped into it. On cereals. In baked desserts. As a savoury dressing mixed with mint and cucmber or peanut butter. On its own.
Alice Dixon says
With honey
kimberley ryan says
I usually just eat it on its own
Kim Styles says
in many ways on curries, fruit , on cereal in cheesecakes , dips and sauces and more importantly on its own!!
Romana Richards says
I usually have it over a curry but sometimes I make a green goddess dressing with it to have over lobster or other seafood or I someties spoon a blob of thick set onto a bowl of beetroot and apple soup.
emily omara says
with granola in the morming
Susan Lloyd says
With fresh strawberries x
Lexy says
What a super offer. This sounds great and would save having to buy a cow for the amount of yogurt our family goes through in a week! Add the yogurt to some whizzed up strawberries, blueberries and protein powder then top with pistachio nuts. Makes a yummy post training snack.
Tracey Peach says
I love mne as a pudding after dinner with fresh fruit 🙂
Linda Empson says
I love making soft cheese with it by straining it through a muslin!
Tracy Nixon says
At breakfast I enjoy it with musesli or honey or as a light dessert I enjoy yogurt on it’s own.
Anna says
I like it with berries and oats – overnight oats are a new thing to me and I’m having fun with different combinations!
Jean Bolsover says
I add it to cereals and smoothies or eat it on it’s own