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Karnemelk (Traditional Cultured Buttermilk)

Dutch · Drink

A refreshing, tangy Western European dairy drink. This traditional Dutch-style buttermilk is made by culturing fresh milk to create a smooth, probiotic-rich beverage perfect for drinking plain or using in baking.

No cookVegetarianGluten free
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Karnemelk (Traditional Cultured Buttermilk) — recipe cover
1 day 10 minA little patience, a lot of flavor
Prep time10 min
Cook timeNo cook
Servings4 people
DifficultyEasy
Let's make something good

How to make it

6 steps. Take it one step at a time.

  1. Combine the milk and the active buttermilk starter

    In a large, clean glass jar, combine the milk and the active buttermilk starter.

  2. Stir well to ensure the culture is evenly distributed throughout the milk

    Stir well to ensure the culture is evenly distributed throughout the milk.

  3. Cover the jar with a piece of cheesecloth or a clean breathable kitchen towel…

    Cover the jar with a piece of cheesecloth or a clean breathable kitchen towel secured with a rubber band. This allows the mixture to breathe while keeping out dust.

  4. Place the jar in a warm spot, roughly 20°C

    Place the jar in a warm spot, roughly 20°C (68°F) to 22°C (72°F), away from direct sunlight. Let it sit undisturbed for 12 to 24 hours.

    1 day
  5. Check the consistency

    Check the consistency. Once it has thickened slightly and developed a tangy aroma, remove the cloth and stir or whisk the mixture until perfectly smooth.

  6. Seal the jar with a tight lid and refrigerate

    Seal the jar with a tight lid and refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving. Cold temperature improves the texture and flavor.

    4 hr

A little kitchen wisdom

Ensure all equipment is thoroughly cleaned to prevent unwanted bacteria. The final consistency should be slightly thicker than regular milk but still pourable. In the Netherlands, it is often enjoyed cold with a sandwich for lunch.

What you'll need

Large glass jarCheeseclothRubber bandWhisk
Keep the good going

For now. And for later.

Make it ahead

Prepare the drink 24 hours in advance to allow for proper fermentation.

Store & enjoy

Keep refrigerated in a sealed glass container. Serve chilled. Shake or stir well before drinking as natural separation may occur.

Allergens

Contains milk.

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An AI-created recipe from the EZdish collection. Ingredient quantities and techniques have not been independently kitchen-tested. Published on this website . Updated . First published in the EZdish collection .

Karnemelk (Traditional Cultured Buttermilk)
Step 1 of 6

Combine the milk and the active buttermilk starter

In a large, clean glass jar, combine the milk and the active buttermilk starter.