Yoghurt or curd: What’s the Difference?
For the most part of my life, I was confused for curd or dahi as yoghurt. I was told that curd and yoghurt are the same. And yoghurt is just a fancy name given by Western people. They call it yoghurt for what we call curd or dahi, they are essentially the same. Later, when all the malls got those fancy and flavoured packs, my curiosity picked again. Then, I heard that yoghurt is somewhat a thicker or flavoured version and that is the difference. And to complicate it again there’s a probiotic yoghurt too in comparison. So yoghurt or curd/ dahi, or probiotic yoghurt, what’s the difference?
When nothing appeared to content my questions, I googled and talked to my Nutritionist friend and everything became very clear. So today, I am sharing it with your guys here, to help you choose your health portion wisely.
What is Curd (our famous Indian household Dahi)
Curd is made by boiling and then cooling the milk to 30-40°C, adding a spoon of curd and keeping it to ferment. Now, since curd has a lactic acid bacteria or lactobacillus. These bacteria multiply itself in the fertile temperature range. And in just a few hours it ferments the milk to form curd or Dahi.
We all know that curd is a rich source of calcium and protein. In India, the curd is considered very good for the stomach as it aids in digestion, giving relief from spicy foods. I remember easting it as a part of lunch daily during childhood and I follow the same till date. But the bacterial strength of curd may vary from one home to the another, it is not considered a standard product.
Also, the good bacteria which is present in curd may or may not reach our intestines alive. And hence may not be able to give us the expected health benefits.
What is Yogurt?
While Yogurt is prepared using similar techniques like curd. But here, the fermentation of milk is done by adding 2 specific strains of bacteria. These bacteria are called lactobacillus Bulgaria and Streptococcus thermophilus. Though, other strains (of lactic acid bacteria) may also be added.
In Yogurt, the addition of these bacteria makes it homogenous and a standardised product. This standardisation ensures that both the quality and quantity of bacteria is present in the yoghurt. Also, it has a higher content of good bacteria which reach the intestines alive. Hence making it a healthier option. Internet is filled with numerous health benefits of eating yoghurts, you may read the WebMD post here.
What is Probiotic yoghurt?
To understand Probiotic Yogurt, let’s understand what Probiotics is? These are live microorganisms that are known to provide health benefits when they are consumed in specific quantities.
Hence, for any product to be considered as a Probiotic- it must contain a specific strain of live bacteria that is resistant to the gastric acid, bile and the pancreatic juices. It should also reach the intestines alive to give the right health benefit.
Same is followed for Probiotic yoghurt or a Probiotic drink. Hence these are considered important for a healthy gut.
In my other post on Beetroot in #SuperFoodsforHealthyYou, I have shared a recipe of a famous North Indian Probiotic Drink- Kanji. It is made with Carrots and Beetroot, read it here.
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Yogurt is very beneficial for our health. You have given very good information about it. I think this is the best article on this subject.
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This is such an interesting post, I guess all of us have been confused between yogurt and curd at one point in time or the other, I am so glad you took the initiative to make people understand in a very simple language.
Thanks for making this post. Super helpful for someone like me ❤️detailed and precise
I was also unaware about this difference between yoghurt and dahi.
Thank you for sharing such insights and so many benefits of this healthy food will definitely increase the probiotics more in my diet .
Even I used to think that curd and yogurt are the same thing, yogurt is just a fancy terms. But reading your post really helped me grasp the science behind the term.
Glad it helped Nisha. 🙂
this is a very insightful post. Even I was told that curd and yogurt is same. But I didn’t know such significant difference between the both. Thanks for sharing
I love having homemade dahi while my brother loves having probiotic yogurt. Both of these have great benefits for our body.
Thank you for sharing this amazing blog, I seriously had the confusion too since a long time, which you cleared in hardly 10 mins. I am definitely sharing this link with my friends too.
That’s a informative post. I had a rough knowledge about it but this post cleared my doubts
I was always confused about yogurt and curd. And used to call yogurt as curd only. Thanks for clearing my doubts. 🙂
Pleasure is mine.. Thank you for dropping by
Interesting! Although I roughly knew the difference wasn’t very sure of it. Good to read about it.
Thank you Purva
Wow I did not know that there was a difference between curd and yoghurt. This was a well-researched and informative post.
Really liked how well you’ve explained the difference between both the products. Most people tend to confuse Yoghurt for curd. Although both are equally tasty 😀
Thank you Seema
Excellent. I too did the same research and concluded the same.
Thank you Samira
Thanks for explaining. I had this doubt for a long time.
Thank you Mahathi
Wow Gunjan! I really did not know there was a difference between curd and yoghurt. Thoroughly informative post, as always.
an apt post!