14 Fermented Traditional Indian dairy products – Dahi, lassi, Shrikhand

Amit Patel

INTRODUCTION

Preservation of milk by fermentation is an old age technique. Fermented milks have assumed prominent position in diet and they are enjoyed everywhere in the world for their characteristics refreshing acid taste and excellent nutritive value. The milk, which could not be preserved overnight in a tropical environment, led the Aryans to benefit with the phenomenon of fermentation. Having known the nutritional and therapeutic benefits, the Aryans have embraced dahi as a natural healthful delicacy of their d iet. Fermentation of milk imparts acidic taste to milk, which is refreshing in worm climate. It is claimed that these products help in prevention of cardiovascular diseases by decreasing the blood cholesterol and colon cancer by activating the immune system. These products can be manufactured easily utilizing the exciting facilities in the milk plant without investing on costly equipments. The important fermented dairy product being produced and consumed in our country are, Dahi, Misti Dahi, Shrikhand, Lassi and Yoghurt.

STARTER CULTURES USED FOR MANUFACTURE OF DAHI, LASSI, SHRIKHAND

The primary function of starter culture is to develop desired amount of acidity in the products. The secondary effects of acid production include coagulation, expulsion of moisture, texture formation, and initiation of flavour production. In addition to these, the starters also help in imparting pleasant acid taste confirming protection against potential pathogens and spoilage causing microorganisms and providing a longer shelf life to the product. Traditional fermented milk products are prepared from cow or buffalo milk or combination thereof. Table 1 shows various starter cultures used for manufacture of dahi, lassi and shrikhand.

DAHI

Dahi (Indian curd) is well known fermented milk product consumed by large sections of the population throughout the country, either as a part of the daily diet or as a refreshing beverage. Dahi is prepared from heated milk (generally boiled milk) after inoculation with starter culture. Dahi is produced with varieties of taste varying with region-to-region and individual food habits. It is estimated that about 6.9 per cent of total milk produced in India is utilized for making dahi.

Definition of Dahi

Dahi or curd is a semi solid product, obtained from pasteurized or boiled milk by souring, using harmless lactic acid or other bacterial cultures. Dahi may contain additional cane sugar. It should have the same minimum percentage of fat and solids- not- fat as the milk from which it is prepared. Where Dahi or curd, other than skimmed milk Dahi, is sold or offered for sale without any indication of the class of milk, the standards prescribed for Dahi prepared from buffalo milk shall apply.

Dahi made from buffalo milk produces a thick bodied product because of its high SNF content. Dahi prepared from whole milk contains about 5 – 8% fat, 3.2 – 3.4% protein, 4.6 – 5.2% lactose, 0.70 – 0.72% ash, and titratable acidity 0.60–0.80 % lactic acid.

Classification of Dahi

Dahi is prepared in different varieties with region specific tastes. Dahi may be classified on the following basis.

·         Dahi for consumption

·         Dahi for production of desi butter

·         Dahi for preparation of chakka, shrikhand and lassi

·         Dahi prepared from whole milk, skim milk, standard milk, and special milk

·         Dahi prepared with added sugar and fruits

Optimum acidity of normal dahi is less than 0.7% lactic acid while acidity of sour dahi is more than 0.7% lactic acid. Dahi made from buffalo milk produces a thick bodied product because of its high total solids content. It is recommended to make dahi from a milk containing 11- 13% total solids. Higher milk solids yield dahi with higher consistency and also keep the product from wheying off.

Method of Manufacture of Dahi

Traditional method: In traditional method dahi is prepared at small scale, either in the consumer’s household or in the confectionary (Halwais) shop. Milk is heated intensively to boil for 5 to 10 min, cooled to room temperature and inoculated with previous day’s curd orbutter milk at the rate of 0.5 to 1.0 %. Milk is then stirred and allowed to set undisturbed for about overnight. At the confectionary shops, the method employed for preparation of dahi is more or less same except that the milk is concentrated in open pan before inoculation. Concentration of milk results in custard like consistency of dahi and keeps the product from wheying off.

Industrial Method of Dahi Making: Organized sector produces dahi on the basis of scientific lines. Fresh, sweet, good quality milk is received, preheated to 35°- 40°C and subjected to filtration and clarification to ensure that, the milk is free from extraneous matter. The milk is standardized to 2.5 – 3.0 % fat and 10 – 12% solids not fat, preheated to 60°C and homogenized at a pressure of 175 kg/ cm2 in single stage. The milk is heated to 85° – 90°C for 15-30 minutes, cooled to 37°C and inoculated with 1 – 1.5 % of specific dahi starter culture. It is then filled in suitable packaging containers (food grade polystyrene and polypropylene cups) of the appropriate size and incubated at 37°C for suitable time. After proper setting of the dahi, the acidity of dahi reaches 0.6 to 0.7 percent and a firm curd is formed. The product mix is incubated till its pH reaches 4.4 to 4.5 and then it is cooled rapidly to less than 5°C by exposing the cups to high velocity cold air. Dahi is normally stored at 4 – 5°C. Storage area should be maintained clean and tidy to avoid any cross contamination. The flow diagram for manufacture of dahi is presented in Fig. 1.

LASSI

Lassi (stirred dahi) is a ready-to-serve fermented milk beverage, popular in north India particularly in summer months. Lassi is a white to creamy-white viscous liquid with a sweetish, rich aroma and pleasant mild acidic taste. It is flavored either with salt or sugar and other condiments or spices like ginger, coriander, and mint, depending on regional preferences.

Manufacture of Lassi

Lassi is becoming popular and attracting demand throughout the year. Production of lassi has been confined, to a large extent, to the households and local Halwais. To meet the consumer demand many dairies have started producing lassi on commercial scale.

The method of manufacture of lassi involves standardization of milk to 1.5 – 4.5% fat and 9% SNF and heating of milk to 90°C/15 min. The milk is then cooled to 60°C and homogenized at 150 kg/cm2 and 50 kg/cm2 in first and second stage, respectively. After homogenization the milk is cooled to inoculation temperature (30 – 32°C). The milk is inoculated with lactic culture and incubated to attain the pH of 4.5. The curd is broken with the help of a power driven agitator. Sugar @ 12-15% of milk dissolved in equal quantity of water is added in the form of syrup which has been pasteurized and cooled separately. The mixture can be flavored with rose water and homogenized to improve body and texture. It is packed and stored at refrigeration temperature. The flow diagram for manufacture of lassi is presented in Fig. 2

REFERENCES

• Aneja, R.P., Mathur, B.N., Chandan, R.C. and Banerjee, A.K. 2002. Technology of Indian Milk Products. A dairy India Publication, Delhi, India
• Aneja, R.P., Vyas, M.N., Nanda, K. and Thareja, V.K. 1977. Development of an Industrial process for the manufacture of shrikhand. J. Food Sci. Technology.14:159-163.
• De, S. (2001) Outlines of Dairy Technology. 16th impression. Oxford University Press, New Delhi.
• Kanawjia, S.K., 2006. Developments in the manufacture of lassi. In: Developments in Traditional Dairy Products, lecture compendium of the 21st short course. CAS in Dairy Technology, NDRI, Karnal. Pp: 55-63
• Latha   sabikhi, 2006. Developments in the manufacture of lassi. In: Developments in Traditional Dairy Products, lecture compendium of the 21st short course. CAS in Dairy Technology, NDRI, Karnal. Pp: 64-67.