Favored for its creamy textures and tangy flavors, the popularity of Greek and regular yogurt has remained strong. It’s not just showing up in the refrigerated aisles of grocery stores but as an ingredient in every day, shelf-stable products.
One of the reasons yogurt continues to be a staple among consumers is its proven health benefits and high protein levels. Seven in ten (71%) consumers say they want to increase their protein intake, and yogurt is a natural source.
Fresh yogurt, however, poses many formulation challenges, leading food scientists to rely on yogurt powder to achieve similar results. But not all yogurt powders are created equal.
Benefits of Dried Greek & Regular Yogurt Powder
The use of traditional, fresh yogurt is a costly challenge due to refrigeration requirements, spoilage, handling and price volatility. The use of all-natural dried yogurt powder can provide the taste, tang and texture of fresh yogurt — as well as many nutritional benefits like protein — while simplifying storage and compliance.
The range of applications that can use dried yogurt powder is extensive, including:
- Coatings on protein bars and snacks
- Dips and dressings
- Smoothies and frozen desserts
- Meal replacement bars and beverages
- And more
Introducing yogurt powder into your applications allows you to not only capitalize on the nutrition and inventory management aspect of the ingredient, but also means you can offer:
1. Innovative Formulations
Yogurt powder resonates with health-conscious consumers and lends itself to forward-thinking products that include other natural ingredients. It brings a natural protein boost that appeals to shoppers who seek high-protein products to keep them fueled throughout the day. When using it in applications, packaging messages can appeal to the clean label trend, helping increase product sales. That’s important because one in four shoppers want yogurt products with “natural” claims.
In particular, Grande Primo™ Dried Greek Yogurt Powder is a product of the U.S. and adheres to a strict chain of custody that ensures safe, ethical sourcing from dedicated Grade A dairy farms in the Midwest. The proprietary process in which it's made allows for a satisfying sensory experience in beverages, flavorful nutrition bars, and coatings that are silky smooth upon heating.
2. Authentic Flavor
Dried yogurt aligns with current trends that indicate consumers prefer tart, sour and zesty flavors over the sugary sweetness that was often featured in the past. Tart flavors are strongly associated with related health benefits, and the flavor profile of Greek yogurt in particular capitalizes on those tangy taste sensations that are in vogue. Greek yogurt powder can be easily incorporated into many applications without compromising these signature flavors. In fact, the natural, tart yogurt flavor is often enhanced.
3. Daypart Expansion
Greek yogurt powder is appearing in more breakfast applications since its high protein levels increase satiety, presenting opportunities for additional product offerings. Many cereals now feature yogurt coatings in their formulations, as do breakfast bars, snack mixes, protein-packed drinkable yogurt beverages and more.
4. Balanced Ingredients
Besides being high in protein, Greek yogurt powder is low in fat, making it diet-friendly and easily digestible. Its use allows manufacturers to include its nutritional and flavor benefits on their labeling and packaging.
Choosing the Right Dried Yogurt Powder
Many yogurt powders on the market include fillers, stabilizers, or artificial ingredients to simulate the taste and texture of yogurt. Grande Primo™ Dried Yogurt & Cultured Dairy from Grande Custom Ingredients Group uses only 100% real dairy without any chemicals, resulting in a superior, authentic flavor profile. It is produced using only the highest-quality raw ingredients sourced from dedicated Grande producer dairy farms.
Grande Primo offers food manufacturers a convenient and consistent ingredient with multiple flavor profiles, from mild, tart and milky to robust, tangy Greek yogurt with higher protein levels up to 60%.
Additional Grande Primo benefits include:
- Easily hydrated powder without clumping
- Provides a rich, creamy texture
- Real dried yogurt that complies with clean-label initiatives
- Easily digestible
- Shelf-stable with convenient storage and handling
- Price-stable alternative to fresh yogurt
- Freeze-thaw stable
Discover the possibilities of using Grande Primo dried yogurt in your applications. Contact our team of formulation experts today to request samples and talk through your formulation challenge.
