Pontian coconut yoghurt gains fans

The Star

18-07-2025

Amirah scooping out coconut yoghurt into containers in their house.
TURNING a harvest surplus into a unique culinary delight, a Malaysian farming couple in Johor is now producing dairy-free, Greek-style yoghurt made entirely from coconuts.
For Amirah Abdul Rahim, 35, and her husband Mohd Fauzi Md Said, 37, their journey into plant-based yoghurt began about four years ago, inspired by a glut of coconuts and a shared goal to create an alternative for those avoiding dairy.
'Since we were already growing our own green dwarf coconuts in Pontian, it just made sense to create something out of what we already have.
'We both love yoghurt and turning excess coconuts into the product could help to reduce wastage,' said Amirah, who graduated in marine biology in 2014 and went on to help set up the couple's farm, Ladang Amirah, in 2021.
Mohd Fauzi and Amirah with dwarf green coconuts in their Ladang Amirah farm. — Courtesy photos
Their homemade yoghurt – creamy, slightly tart and packed with probiotics – is now attracting health-conscious consumers, vegans and the lactose-intolerant.
Named 'Nyogurt', their creation also clinched a gold award at the state Innovation and Technology Competition organised by the Johor Agriculture Department last year.
Unlike yoghurt made from cow's milk, Amirah said Nyogurt has the benefits of coconut milk, which is rich in medium-chain triglycerides and natural probiotics.
'Getting the recipe right wasn't easy.
'We failed six times before achieving the taste and texture we wanted.
'We had to tweak international recipes to suit local humidity and set up strict hygiene standards,' she said.
Due to current production limits, the couple only accepts pre-orders for their yoghurt and supplies it to selected cafes in Pontian.
Still, they have received interest from as far as Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.
They also produce virgin coconut oil, coconut chocolate and spiced coconut floss from their green dwarf coconuts.
Amirah is grateful that their journey into sustainable farming has been supported by various state agencies.
These have included training and equipment aid from the Johor Agriculture Department and Yayasan Pembangunan Keluarga Darul Ta'zim.
Looking ahead, the couple hope to open a farm-based cafe to showcase their products and promote agritourism.
'We want young people to see farming not just as hard labour, but as a space for creativity and innovation.
'Starting small is fine.
'It is all about planning, learning from mistakes and adapting to challenges along the way,' said Amirah.