Dairy Products
By definition, dairy products are foods or drinks that are created from cow’s milk. However, they can also be produced using buffalo’s milk, goat’s milk, or even sheep’s milk.
Dairy products are often considered to be high in calcium and vitamins, and are a good source of energy.
When dairy products are made, the process often occurs in a production plant called a dairy factory, or just a dairy. For example, in these factories raw milk goes through one of two processes—either pasteurization or homogenization. During pasteurization, the milk is boiled at a high temperature to not only kill present bacteria and hinders certain enzymes to sterilize the liquid. Homogenization is a process used to keep the cream and milk from separating.
When you think of dairy products, those that probably come to mind are milk, cheese, and ice cream. While they are indeed dairy products, they are certainly not the only ones available. The list of dairy products is vast, and each country as their own special varieties.
Popular dairy products include:
- Yogurt is fermented milk, often containing additional bacteria, that can be eaten plain or flavored.
- Frozen yogurt is a cold, creamy version of yogurt that is similar to ice cream.
- Butter is a product created by churning butter that works well in recipes or spread on bread.
- Buttermilk is the liquid left behind after butter is produced from cream.
- Evaporate milk is similar to condensed milk, although it is less concentrated and contains no extra sugar. With condensed milk, evaporation is used to concentrate the liquid. Sugar is often added to give condensed milk a longer shelf life.
Of course, this is just a small sampling of dairy products. There are so many to choose from, it could take you years to try them all!
Many varieties of dairy products work well as drink ingredients. So it’s wise to keep your bar well-stocked with not only your favorite alcohol, but an array of dairy products as well.
Eggnog is a drink that many people enjoy around the holidays. It’s sweet, creamy, and tastes oh-so-good. As the name suggests, it does contain beaten eggs. But, in addition to the eggs and added sugar, the drink’s main ingredient is cream and/or milk.
A White Russian is a very popular drink, which is no surprise considering how good it is. Not only is it made with coffee flavored liqueur and vodka, cream or milk is also added.
Another popular drink is Irish Cream. Coffee, Irish whiskey, and cream are mixed together to create a drink that works well on its own or as a dessert.
Want to top off a coffee dessert or a sweet treat like a strawberry daiquiri or a pina colada? Then add a dollop of whipped cream. It tastes great and looks great, too!
Dairy products don’t just have to be a drink ingredient. They also work well when eaten on their own but paired with an alcoholic beverage. Wine and cheese pairings make a perfect snack, as a meal starter, or as a dessert when fruits are added.
Don’t have the time or energy to figure out which cheeses work with which wines? No problem. Port wine cheese tastes great and takes the guesswork out of if for you.