Milk and dairy products have been consumed since the domestication of mammals; yogurt and similar fermented milk products in particular are thought to originate from the Middle East. The original production of fermented milk products derived from the need to prolong the shelf life of milk instead of being disposed. Yogurt manufacture was initially based on knowledge and empirical processes without standard procedures or investigation of the steps that occur during the entire process. Only after the late 20th century, when yogurt became a profitable commercial good, its manufacture became industrialized and the processes were standardized. During the last 20 years, interest in yogurt manufacture has increased tremendously for scientific and commercial reasons. Scientific findings have suggested new dairy products that benefit human health (probiotic cultures, fortification with bioactive compounds) as well as with improved sensory, especially textural characteristics. Thus, consumer demand for yogurt and similar fermented dairy products has increased. Yogurt is defined as the product being manufactured from milk—with or without the addition of some natural derivative of milk, such as skim milk powder, whey concentrates, caseinates or cream— with a gel structure that results from the coagulation of the milk proteins, due to the lactic acid secreted by defined species of bacteria cultures. Furthermore, these bacteria must be “viable and abundant” at the time of consumption. The above definition is part of the food legislation of many countries, ensuring that the essential characteristics of yogurt will be preserved, as well as that its traditional “concept” will not be compromised. The most common types of yogurt commercially available are set type yogurt and strained yogurt; though lately frozen yogurt and drinking yogurt have become quite popular as well. Set type yogurt is fermented in retail containers and no further stirring or water removal takes pace after the fermentation process. Strained (or stirred, or Greek style) yogurt is fermented in tanks under continuous mild stirring and after the completion of fermentation a portion of the whey is removed. Due to the manufacturing process, the two types develop a different texture; set type yogurt develops a continuous gel texture, whereas strained yogurt displays a viscous, creamy smooth texture.