APPLICATIONS Cultured Dairy Opportunities A s consumers increasingly look for products to improve their health and wellness, food and beverage companies can leverage the natural wholesomeness of cultured dairy products to provide flavorful, innovative solutions that support their active lifestyle or meet their needs for convenience. Unique innovations are already driving incredible growth in the cultured dairy segment, including an explosion of new Greek yogurt products, kefir drinks (a fermented product containing a much larger amount of probiotics and yeasts compared with yogurt), healthy yogurt-based smoothies and more portable, convenient packaging that appeals to today’s on-the-go consumer. In fact, 2012 category sales for yogurt alone were $50.9 billion worldwide. “We know consumers are increasingly seeking products that offer multiple benefits or fusions of benefits, and they are less willing to compromise in their choices,” says Alan Reed, executive vice president of strategy, insights and planning, Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, Rosemont, IL. “Innovation in the yogurt category has allowed the consumer to meet several needs—nutrition, digestion, flavor, variety and more—with a single product.” For your health Nutritional benefits of cultured dairy products abound and find great appeal with today’s label-conscious consumer. Active adults, kids and an aging population all can benefit from the good to excellent sources of protein The nutritional benefits of cultured dairy products. Opportunities for innovation in the cultured dairy category. Regulations governing the production of yogurt. Editors’ Review BY BILL GRAVES Contributing Editor 58 Food Product Design September/October 2013
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Editors’ Review Cultured Dairy Opportunities...Nutritional benefits of cultured dairy products abound and find great appeal with today’s label-conscious consumer. Active adults,
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APPLICATIONS
Cultured Dairy Opportunities
As consumers increasingly
look for products to
improve their health
and wellness, food and beverage
companies can leverage the natural
wholesomeness of cultured dairy
products to provide flavorful,
innovative solutions that support
their active lifestyle or meet their
needs for convenience.
Unique innovations are already
driving incredible growth in the
cultured dairy segment, including
an explosion of new Greek yogurt
products, kefir drinks (a fermented
product containing a much larger
amount of probiotics and yeasts compared
with yogurt), healthy yogurt-based
smoothies and more portable,
convenient packaging that appeals to
today’s on-the-go consumer. In fact,
2012 category sales for yogurt alone
were $50.9 billion worldwide.
“We know consumers are
increasingly seeking products that
offer multiple benefits or fusions
of benefits, and they are less willing
to compromise in their choices,”
says Alan Reed, executive vice
president of strategy, insights and
planning, Innovation Center for
U.S. Dairy, Rosemont, IL.
“Innovation in the yogurt category
has allowed the consumer to meet
several needs—nutrition, digestion,
flavor, variety and more—with a
single product.”
For your healthNutritional benefits of cultured dairy
products abound and find great appeal
with today’s label-conscious consumer.
Active adults, kids and an aging
population all can benefit from the
good to excellent sources of protein
The nutritional benefits of cultured dairy products.
Opportunities for innovation in the cultured dairy category.
Regulations governing the production of yogurt.
Editors’Review
By BILL GrAveS
Contributing editor
58 Food Product Design September/October 2013
APPLICATIONS
found in cultured dairy products—
which provide a range of 5 to 23 grams
of protein per 8 oz., based on the
product—as well as other important
nutrients in dairy, including potassium
and calcium. Starting off the day with
a protein-packed breakfast can help
build a higher-protein diet, which in
turn can help promote satiety.
All yogurts, by regulation, must be
fermented by the starter microorganisms
Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus
thermophilus. Yogurt products also may
contain probiotics, which are live
microorganisms that, when consumed
in adequate amounts, can provide
health benefits. A growing body of
science indicates that individual
probiotics can affect certain aspects of
health, including digestive health.
Probiotic cultures that are often
added to yogurts are strains of L.
acidophilus, Bifidobacteria and L. casei.
“Research has shown that cultured
dairy is one of the most effective
ways to deliver probiotics for digestive
health benefits. Consuming probiotics
with dairy products, for example, can
increase the chance they will survive
digestion,” says Greg Miller, Ph.D.,
president, Dairy Research Institute
Rosemont, IL.
In addition, cultured dairy products
are often easier for those with lactose
intolerance to digest because the
starter cultures contain the enzyme
lactase, which breaks down lactose
into its respective monosaccharides.
Who’s Eating Yogurt?Adults
Adults 65+ are most likely to eat as part of an in-home main meal
Ages 35-44 and 45-54 carry yogurt away-from-home most frequently, often as a meal replacement
Total Yogurt Eatings
Females consume
52%
Males consume
25%
Children under 6 skew highest for total yogurt consumption
Teenagers are least likely to consume yogurt and make
up only 4% of eatings
Source: NPD National Eating Trends; 3 years ending November 2012 — consumption data
60 Food Product Design September/October 2013
APPLICATIONS
Opportunities for innovationGrowing consumer interest in
healthy, portable, convenient food and
beverages has played an important
role in the growth of cultured dairy.
On-the-go liquid breakfasts are
rapidly growing in popularity. These
products are convenient and appeal to
a wide range of consumers, providing
a fast and easy breakfast without
sacrificing nutrition.
Food and beverage product
developers can look at the
numerous innovations in Europe
for inspiration. Western Europe’s
popular quark is made by warming
soured milk until the desired degree of
denaturation of milk proteins is met,
and then straining it to separate the
curd from the whey. It has a smooth
texture with a tangy taste similar
to cottage cheese. In Iceland, skyr is
a fresh, skim-milk cheese product,
similar to strained yogurt, but contains
no fat. Because it is strained, it requires
more milk to produce than traditional
yogurt, and the end product has
higher levels of protein and calcium.
In France, fromage frais is growing in
popularity. This creamy soft cheese is
made with whole or skim milk and
cream. It has the consistency of cream
cheese but is lower in calories and
cholesterol.
In the U.S. dairy market, yogurt
drinks containing fruit juice or cereal
are growing in popularity. These
types of beverages have long been
consumed in Europe for breakfast or
for snacking. Products such as skyr,
fromage frais and quark are similar
to Greek yogurt for people looking
for thick and creamy yogurts. Eating
yogurt as a dessert is also a growing
trend for those looking for healthy
Yogurt U.S. Standards of Identity
Yogurt• Milkfat – not less than 3.25 %
• Milk Solids Not Fat – not less than 8.25 %
Lowfat Yogurt• Milkfat – not less than 0.5 % or more than 2 %
• Milk Solids Not Fat – not less than 8.25 %
Nonfat Yogurt• Milkfat – less than than 0.5 %
• Milk Solids Not Fat – not less than 8.25 %
Source: FDA’s Standard of Identity for Yogurt (21 CFR Part 131.200), Lowfat Yogurt (21 CFR Part 131.203) or Nonfat Yogurt (21 CFR Part 131.206).
Source: NPD National Eating Trends; 2 years ending November 2012 — consumption data
Blueberries are synergistic with cultured dairy products, according to the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council, Folsom, CA. Their mild, sweet flavor is compatible with such products, and the tiny fruit can add nutrients and color, as well. Blueberries are available year-round in a variety of forms to suit a range of applications. In yogurt products, IQF blueberries can be ground directly into the mix to impart flavor, and the blueberry skin adds texture and a sense of the “real thing.” Blueberry purée can add color throughout yogurt, or can be used as a swirl.
Blueberry juice and blueberry purée provide color, smooth texture and distinctive flavor in cultured dairy beverages, frozen desserts and yogurts. The juice and purée are also available in a range of consistencies, from liquid to paste and everything in between, to meet formulation needs. The following chart offers more information on blueberry products and their use in cultured dairy formulations. —The Editors
Product Process Characteristic/Application
Single Strength Purée *Fresh blueberries> crushed> finished> pasteurized or cold filled in containers> frozen.
Brix: 8.0 - 13.0pH: 2.8 - 3.5>Used in, sauces, flavorings and fillings.