Difference Between Yoghurt and Curd

The main difference between yoghurt and curd is their manufacturing process. Yoghurt-making includes two specific bacterial strains Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilu, while curd-making involves a broad range of lactic acid bacteria.

Before going deep into the difference between yoghurt and curd, it’s important to know that the word curd has two meanings. It can refer to the thick substance that forms when milk becomes sour; this is what we use to make cheese. However, in Indian English, curd refers to dahi, traditional yoghurt or fermented milk product.

Key Terms Covered

1. What is Yoghurt
     – Definition, Making, Characteristics
2. What is Curd
     – Definition, Making, Characteristics
3. What is the Difference Between Yoghurt and Curd
    – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Curd, Milk, Yoghurt

What is Yoghurt?

Yoghurt is a food product made by bacterial fermentation of milk. In fact, the only two ingredients we need to produce natural yoghurt are milk and yoghurt cultures. The bacteria we use to produce yoghurt is known as yoghurt cultures and includes Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus. Yoghurt has been a popular food item in many cultures, over many years. It serves you with high-quality proteins, essential vitamins and minerals as well as good bacteria.

Figure 1: Yoghurt with Fruits and Nuts

There are many types of yoghurt, including low-fat yoghurt, non-fat yoghurt, creamy yoghurt, Greek yoghurt, frozen yoghurt, etc. Although their basic ingredients and manufacturing process is usually the same, the milk used usually depends on the type of yoghurt; for example, we use whole milk for full-fat yoghurt, skim milk for non-fat yoghurt and low-fat milk for low-fat yoghurt.

Steps in Yoghurt-Making

1. Adjusting the milk composition to achieve the fat and solids content the manufacturer desires.
2. Pasteurizing in order to kill harmful bacteria that may be present
3. Homogenizing the milk to thoroughly to mix all ingredients and improve consistency
4. Cooling the milk
5. Adding the starter cultures
6. Adding sugar, flavours or any other ingredients

What is Curd?

It’s important to know that the term curd has two meanings in the food industry. It can refer to the basis for cheese, which is a soft, white solid that forms when milk coagulates. In this sense, curd is a dairy product made by coagulating milk in a process called curdling. The coagulation process in curd-making happens when we add rennet or any edible acidic substance like vinegar or lemon juice or vinegar. Types of food products like cottage cheese, curd cheese, pot cheese and paneer are produced in this way.

Figure 2: Curd and Treacle

However, in the Indian subcontinent, the word curd refers to a fermented milk product that is similar to yoghurt. Another name for this type of curd is dahi. In fact, some people use the word curd to refer to traditional homemade yoghurt. The process of fermentation include microorganisms like Lactococcus lactis, Streptococcus cremoris, Streptococcus diacetylactis, Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus.

Difference Between Yoghurt and Curd

As we discussed earlier in this article, the word curd has two meanings. However, in this difference section, we’ll be looking at the difference between yoghurt and curd (dahi).

Definition

Yoghurt is a semi-solid food prepared by the fermentation of milk while curd or dahi is a fermented milk product popular in the Indian subcontinent, which is similar to yoghurt.

Types

There are various types of yoghurts, such as Greek yoghurt, low-fat yoghurt, non-fat yoghurt, drinking yoghurt, sheeps’ milk yoghurt, etc. However, curd doesn’t have such varieties; in addition, it’s usually made from cows ‘milk or buffalos’ milk.

Bacterial Stains Used

Yoghurt-making includes two specific bacterial strains Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilu, while curd-making involves a broad range of lactic acid bacteria.

In Indian English Usage

The word curd in Indian English sometimes refers to homemade yoghurt, while the term yoghurt refers to the pasteurized commercial variety known as heat-treated fermented milk.

Conclusion

The main difference between yoghurt and curd is their manufacturing process. Yoghurt-making includes two specific bacterial strains Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilu, while curd-making involves a broad range of lactic acid bacteria.

Reference:

1.“Dahi (Curd).” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 2 Sept. 2019, Available here.
2. “How Is Yoghurt Made?” Explore Anchor, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “922773” (CC0) via Pxhere
2. “Buffalo Curd and Kithul Treacle” Hafiz Issadeen (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr