The dairy product or the milk product is the food product from the milk of the mammal; primarily cows, goats, buffaloes, sheep, yak, horses. The importance of dairy products is increasingly recognised because they are important providers of various health benefits in this hectic and fast moving life. It is rightly said by Jackie day:
“Instead of asking why fresh produce is so expensive,
Ask why meat and dairy products are so cheap
And you will get the answer”
Milk has been used by humans since the beginning of recorded time to provide both fresh and storable nutritious foods. In some countries almost half of the milk produced is consumed as fresh pasteurized whole, low fat. However, most of the milk is manufactured into more stable dairy products such as butter, cheese, dried milk, condensed milk.
Key health benefits of dairy foods:
Dairy products are considered to be nutrient-rich because they serve as good source of calcium and vitamin D. They provide you with phosphorus, magnesium, vitamins A and vitamin B12.The calcium in milk, yogurt and cheese are significant. The calcium in milk is easily absorbed and used in the body, which is why milk products are mostly preferred. A diet rich in protein helps in building strong bones; and so is milk a necessary food product when these nutrients are to be met.
MILK is a pale liquid produced by the mammary glands of mammals. Apart from the origin of the milk from mammals, the milk is known to most people as it is one such product that starts the morning of the person. It is consumed on the daily basis either through or forcefully by mom! Milk protein is of high nutritional value because it contains all the essential amino acids. Milk’s mineral content includes calcium and phosphorus in normal quantities sufficient for skeleton development. Milk consists of a small amount of vitamin C and vitamin D. It is also useful for increasing the immunity system in kids and improving brain functioning.
YOGURT is food produced by bacteria fermentation of the milk. It provides dietary energy, protein, carbohydrate. As a proportion of daily serve yogurt is an important source of B12, proteins and phosphorus. It also increases the metabolism and reduces the risk of diseases.
CHEESE is a food product derived from milk that is used in a large variety of food products to increases the texture of the food. Although cheese is produced from milk it has more shelf life than milk. There are various types of cheese with are used according to food products but the shelf life of cheese differs for the different types of cheese. Cheese is the major provider of fat. Its nutritional value changes following its variety. It is a rich source of calcium, protein, phosphorus, sodium. Nutritionally cheese is concentrated milk. Now it is clear that cheese is not the only provider of fat but also gives various health benefits so now next time doesn’t be conscious when you are having cheese!
BUTTER is a product made by churning the fresh or fermented milk. It is mostly used to apply on the bread. But apart from applying butter on bread, there are various nutritional benefits attached with butter. It is a rich source of vitamin A, phosphorus and milk proteins. However, the high use of butter may not be good for the health of a person.
Apart from major type of dairy products there are various subsidiary dairy products namely:
Clotted cream, single cream, cluttered milk, condensed milk, powered milk, skim milk, khoya, evaporated milk, baked milk, semen , ghee, curd, casein, cottage cheese, clabber, ice cream, etc.
HONOUR:
The benefits which are attached to the dairy products have inspired to continuously innovate and experiment with the dairy products. In the year 2016, Swiss Valley Farms a cooperative of love has been selected to receive the Tom Camerlo Exporter of the year award given by the U.S. Dairy Export Council.