Turkish Yogurt, Egyptian Leben, American Matzoon and Indian Dahi are all similar products. Many people tend to misunderstand the difference between Curd and yogurt.
Many of my clients are under the misconception that yogurt is thicker than curd. Visiting different restaurants, I have realized that many of the chefs find it cool to write yogurt in their menu card. But curd refers to the milk solids that are left after curdling by way of adding a curdling agent that is acidic.
It could be a culture of yogurt or it could be lime-juice or vinegar. This process provides us with curd. So paneer or cottage cheese that we know is technically curd from splitting the milk and milky grey water, which is left is whey. Indian dahi is made by adding mother culture at about 30-40 C. Mother culture contains strains of lactic acid bacteria, which multiplies itself in the ambient temperature of 30-40
Yogurt is same as curd with the difference that the fermentation of the milk is done by adding 2 specific strains of bacteria called Lactobacillus Bulgaricus and streptococcus thermophillus. The addition of these bacteria makes the product standardized and homogenous. The two types of yogurt commonly found in the grocery store are set type and swiss style yogurt. Set type yogurt is when the yogurt is packed with the fruit on the bottom of the cup and yogurt on the top. Swiss style yogurt is when fruit is blended into yogurt prior to packaging.
Health Benefits of Yogurt
- Decreases ulcerative colitis symptoms
- Decreases IBS symptoms
- Decrease acute diarrhea
- Increases Immunity
Activia/Danon Yogurt
Activia contains many of the same ingredients found in regular yogurt such as lactic acid-producing bacteria, including lactobacillus bulgaricus and streptococcous thermphilus, sweetners, fruits or flavorings. It is prepared as regular or light, greek regular or lite, with added fiber or as drink.
Bifidus regularis is a probiotic specially added to Dannon yogurt to aid in digestive health. Daily consumption of yogurt with Bifidobacterium lactis improved well being and digestive symptoms in women with minor digestive problems.
For more information on seeds, e-mail the writer at info@wellnessbeyonddiet.com. She can also be contacted at 08427162181
