Yogurt or yoghurt is one of the most popular fermented
dairy products worldwide which has great consumer
acceptability due to its health benefits other than its basic
nutrition. In general, yogurt is considered as a nutrition-dense
food due to its nutrient profile and is a rich source of calcium that
provides significant amounts of calcium in bio-available form. In
addition, it provides milk proteins with a higher biological value
and provides almost all the essential amino acids necessary to
maintain good health.Yogurt is considered as a probiotic carrier
food that can deliver significant amounts of probiotic bacteria
into the body which can claim specific health benefits once
ingested. These are usually marketed as bio-yogurts. Moreover,
yogurt is reported to claim improved lactose tolerance, immune
enhancement and prevention of gastrointestinal disorders.
Because of these known health benefits of yogurt,consumer
demand for yogurt and yogurt related products has been
increased and became the fastest growing dairy category in the
global market. Yogurts are now being manufactured in a
numerous styles and varieties with different fat contents, flavors
and textures suitable for different meal occasions and plates as a
snack, dessert, sweet or savory food.