Yogurt Ingredients with Chobani, Fage, Yoplait, Dannon, Oikos
Credit: Chobani
Yogurt is basically a dairy product, where bacterial cultures ferment the milk to convert into yogurt. However, although the ingredients are too simple, using the quality ingredients make the product a great choice to the customers.
Plain yogurt ingredients
The key ingredients of plain yogurt are:
- Milk
- Live active cultures
Milk is the main ingredient of making yogurt. Cow’s milk is widely used in producing yogurt, but there are uses of goat milk or buffalo milk also. In some particular regions of the Asian countries, buffalo milk yogurt is so popular. You can choose the milk type according to your wish if you want to make your yogurt at your home. However, milk undergoes a heat treatment which is called pasteurization, to kill the harmful microorganisms.
Besides these, the fat content of the milk is important. Different types of milk produce different types of yogurt such as, full-fat yogurt, low-fat yogurt, non-fat yogurt etc.
2 ounces whole milk yogurt contain 34 calories, 1g fat, 1g saturated fat, less than 1g mono fat, 2g protein, 2.5g carbohydrates, 26mg sodium and 7.5mg cholesterol.
2 ounces low-fat yogurt contain 35 calories, 2g fat, 0.5g saturated fat, less than 1g mono fat, 3g protein, 4g carbohydrates, 40mg sodium and 3.5mg cholesterol.
2 ounces non-fat yogurt contain 32 calories, 0g fat, 0g saturated fat, 0g mono fat, 3g protein, 5 carbohydrates, 43mg sodium and 1mg cholesterol.
Now the addition of live active cultures (LAC)! Do not get puzzled with the “pasteurization”. Because, in pasteurization you are killing the harmful bacteria, but the bacterial cultures you are going to add later on, are good for your health. Moreover, these bacteria are the fuel of preparing the yogurt, because the carry out the whole fermentation process to convert milk into lactic acid. Also, they are probiotics which will keep your digestive system superb! However, lactobacillus and streptococcus are the bacterial species which do all these works.
Greek yogurt ingredients
There are not that much difference in Greek yogurt and regular ingredients, but the product has some particular distinctive characteristics.
Old-style Greek yogurt is made with goat’s milk, while cow’s milk is the modern ingredient.
Although, usually condensed milk or gelatin are not used in making regular yogurt, but Greek yogurt may contains these agents. These ingredients are used to increase the consistency of Greek yogurt.
Like other yogurt, Greek yogurt also produced by the fermentation of bacterial culture. However, lactobacillus bulgaricus and streptococcus thermophilus are the bacterial species which are used in fermenting the milk to make the characteristic sour taste.
Besides these, Greek yogurt requires more milk to be produced. For example, to make 1 gallon of Greek yogurt, you will require around 4 gallons of milk.
Also, Greek yogurt requires several straining processes which remove much of the whey and provide a thicker texture. Moreover, the straining also removes salt, water and some lactose. So, these actions provide a creamy Greek yogurt which is rich in protein, but low in carbohydrate and sugar.
Frozen yogurt ingredients
These are almost like ice creams. The main ingredients of yogurt are milk and bacterial cultures, where frozen yogurt contains some extra.
Along with dairy ingredients, frozen yogurts contain several non-dairy ingredients as well.
Frozen fruits such as mango, banana, strawberry etc. are commonly used in making frozen yogurts. The fruits get blended to provide the yogurt with a creamy texture.
Also, frozen yogurt contains more stabilizers to enhance the consistency.
Besides these, different types of artificial flavors and colors are also used. Manufacturers also use artificial sweeteners and preservatives to increase its shelf-life.
Homemade yogurt ingredients
Making yogurt at your home is easy and fun and you can make yogurt at your home manually, or you can use a yogurt maker also. Moreover, the preparation is so simple and it takes a short time.
However, the ingredients of homemade yogurt will depend on what type of yogurt you are going to make. Although the main ingredients are same in all types, but there are some things you have to modify, add or subtract while making yogurt according to your desire.
Regular yogurt recipe is simple and I have talked about this in one of my previous posts. On the other hand, a customized yogurt recipe is a little bit tricky. For example, if you want to make a dairy-free yogurt, you can use soy milk, rice milk, coconut milk, almond milk etc.
Besides these, you can add some chopped seasonal fruits, honey or maple syrup to make your homemade yogurt more delicious.
But, I like to suggest you not to add artificial sweeteners or extra sugar, plain yogurt tastes great!
By the way, we reviewed the top yogurt makers that really trending in the market 2018.
Ingredients of Chobani yogurt
Nice and creamy chobani yogurt is made with all natural ingredients.
To make non-fat yogurt, manufacturers use cultured and pasteurized non-fat milk and cream.
Bacterial cultures include lactobacillus bulgricus, lacdobacillus acidophilus, streptococcus thermophilus, lactobacillus casei and bifidus
It contains fruits, pectin, natural flavors, locust bean gum and evaporated cane juice.
For the colorings: concentrated fruit and vegetable juice.
Ingredients of Dannon yogurt
The important thing is that, all the ingredients are non-GMO (genetically modified organisms).
The main ingredient of dannon is GMO-free milk.
The process include several steps to ensure that the other ingredients are also GMO-free and there is no cross contamination.
Yoplait
The main ingredient of Yoplait yogurt is low-fat pasteurized milk, also the manufacturers use non-fat milk.
Sugar and high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) are been used as sweeteners where HFCS increase the shelf-life of the yogurt.
The manufacturers use different types of fruits depending on the flavor, there are 25 flavors of Yoplait yogurt available.
For the texture; pectin, kosher gelatin and modified cornstarch are been used.
The manufacturers use citric acid and natural flavors to give a sour taste and attractive flavor respectively. Also, they use colors depending on the flavor and the yogurt contains added vitamins and mineral as well.
Ingredients of Activia Yogurt
Main ingredient of genuine activia is pasteurized low-fat milk.
Sweeteners: fructose or fruit syrup, sugar.
For the texture: modified cornstarch, agar, kosher gelatin, guar gum etc.
Also, lactic acid, vitamin D3, sodium citrate and calcium lactate are been used.
Besides these, natural vanilla flavor may be added as an additional ingredient in every flavor.
Ingredients of Fage Yogurt
Fage yogurt contains milk and live bacterial cultures to make it all-natural.
However, the manufacturers do not use any thickeners, powdered (protein or milk), artificial colors, flavors or preservatives where simplicity is at its best!
Oikos Greek yogurt Ingredients
Oikos Greek yogurt ingredients mainly include milk cream and bacterial culture.
Additional flavoring agents include locust bean gum, lemon juice concentrate, sodium citrate, natural vanilla flavor, corn starch, sugar and water.