The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported that annual milk production in the United States in 2020 was 223 billion pounds.
Americans consume around 264 quarts of ice cream annually or 375 pounds of cheese. Consumption of the latter product alone totals 7.5 million pounds in a given year.
Are you lactose intolerant and avoiding dairy products? Don’t be fooled by misleading statistics. Dairy is healthy, and it can be delicious, too.
Read on to learn about the benefits of dairy products and how to make your own at home.
Benefits of Dairy Products
Dairy products are a great source of protein, calcium, and other essential nutrients. They can also help you lose weight and reduce your risk of heart disease and other health problems like cancer.
Making homemade dairy products can be cheaper and more convenient than buying them at the store. You can also control the quality of the products and add your healthy ingredients.
There is a variety of recipes available online or in cookbooks. With time and effort, you can create delicious and healthy dairy products that your whole family will enjoy.
How to Make Butter from Raw Milk
Making your butter from raw milk is easy and only requires a few simple ingredients. It would be best if you had raw milk, cream, salt, and a food processor to start.
Combine the milk and cream in the food processor and blend until the mixture becomes thick and creamy. Add salt to taste and pulse a few more times to incorporate. Then, transfer the mixture to a covered container and refrigerate for at least two hours to allow the butter to set.
Once it’s set, you can use it as you would store-bought butter.
How to Make Cheese at Home
To make cheese at home, you’ll need milk, rennet, and cheesecloth. Rennet is an enzyme that helps the milk coagulate and is available at most grocery stores. Cheesecloth is a type of fabric that allows the whey to drain out of the cheese and is also available at most stores.
First, heat the milk to around 86 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, add the rennet and stir it in for about a minute. Next, cover the pot and let it sit for 30-60 minutes until the milk has thickened.
After the milk has thickened, cut it into small squares with a knife. Then, put the cheesecloth over a colander and pour the milk into the colander. The whey will drain out, and you’ll get some cheese!
There are also different types of cheese cultures you can use in making cheese. You can purchase them in specialty stores online for all your cheese-making needs.
How to Make Yogurt at Home
Yogurt is easy to make at home. All you need is milk and a yogurt starter culture. You can find yogurt starters at health food stores or online.
To make yogurt, heat the milk to 180 degrees Fahrenheit, add the yogurt starter culture, and incubate for 24 hours. After incubation, you can add fruit, honey, or other flavors to taste. After that, you’ll have delicious, homemade yogurt!
There are Several Dairy Products You Can Make at Home
Dairy products have many benefits like improved bone health, lower blood pressure, and reduced risk of certain cancers by incorporating it into your diet. You can enjoy many benefits of dairy products at home with a few simple ingredients and some essential kitchen equipment.
So next time you’re looking for a healthy and delicious snack, consider making your dairy products at home.
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