The liquid isnt harmful, but its probably not something you want in your morning bowl of yogurt. Trending Videos
If youve ever peeled back the lid of a yogurt container to find a layer of what looks like water but is actually whey protein on top, you may have wondered why its there. “A little bit of whey will naturally separate from the milk curds in yogurt,” says Elizabeth Conover, brand director of Stonyfield Organic Yogurt. Whey is one of the main proteins found in dairy products and it contains essential amino acids that help carry out the functions that proteins perform in the body. Although the nutrient-dense liquid isnt harmful, its probably not something you want in your morning bowl of yogurt. Is there a way to limit the amount of whey that forms at the top of your container? And if not, how do you get rid of it? To answer these questions, we consulted two experts.
You can, however, be rest assured that the watery stuff isn’t compromising the safety of your snack: Whey rising to the top has nothing to do with spoilage. As for what could be a sign of a food safety issue? Any changes in color, an off smell, or a bad taste can indicate your yogurt has gone bad, says the USDA.
Why Does Whey Form?
Regular yogurt is made by heating milk, letting it cool, then adding beneficial bacteria for fermentation. During the heating process the whey proteins are denatured, increasing their water binding capacity and allowing them to easily cluster with other milk proteins to make the yogurt firmer. The yogurt is then left to rest until it forms a thick, firm texture. As time goes on, however, “the whey thats trapped in the product is kind of squeezed out,” explains Robert Roberts, Ph.D., head of the department of food science at Pennsylvania State University. He further notes that the whey needs somewhere to go so it travels around the outside or to the top of the yogurt container, forming a layer of liquid.
There are a few different factors that contribute to how much whey separation occurs in yogurt. One of the most important things to consider is how much protein is in the product. Increasing the amount of protein increases gel firmness and decreases whey separation, which is commonly referred to as syneresis. Greek yogurt, which has been strained to remove most of the whey, has a higher protein content, which is why youll find less liquid in a container of Greek yogurt than regular yogurt that hasnt been strained.
Additionally, the type of stabilizer used during production also plays a role in the amount of whey separation that occurs in yogurt. Different stabilizers used in yogurt include alginates, gelatins, gums, pectin, and starch. “If you have starch as a stabilizer, for example, its less likely to synerese than if you dont see any,” Dr. Roberts says. If you dont see a stabilizer listed on your yogurt container, as is the case with all-natural products, there will be more syneresis than if you used starch, pectin, or another stabilizer, according to Dr. Roberts. At Stonyfield Organic, Conover says they dont use gelatin in their yogurt and instead opt for a small amount of pectin sourced from citrus peel to help stabilize the yogurt, meaning that whey separation is common in some of their products.
Beyond the protein content and type of stabilizer used, whey separation is also accelerated by a process called post fermentation acidification. “During storage its not uncommon for yogurt to get more acid as the enzymes that are produced by the bacteria continue to lower the pH,” Roberts explains. “As the pH lowers, the gel contracts and as the gel contracts more whey is expressed.” Whats more, additional acid is produced once the product has been disrupted, which is why more of the liquid substance commonly appears once youve opened the product, as it has been jostled around from the store to your home to the refrigerator and so on.
Expired yogurt is a large contributor to food waste in America because people are unsure of “the quality or safety of the item.” But now that you know you can eat yogurt for up to two weeks after the sell-by date, you can help lower food waste while enjoying a yummy breakfast. And if youre still unsure if your yogurts safe or not, if it smells and looks alright, then keep calm and eat on.
Since I try to stay organized, I buy enough individual yogurt cups at a time to get me through a couple weeks of classes before making another Whole Foods run. Sometimes I miss the mark and forget to check the expiration dates, leaving me with more cups of expired Greek yogurt than I know what to do with, and end up throwing away what studies suggest to be perfectly edible yogurt.
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Every yogurt has a sell by date on the container. While its easy to assume its best to throw away the product after this date, this is simply the last day a manufacturer will support their products quality, not its safety.
This article originally appeared on Spoon U and was written by Olivia Olson. It has been given minor edits before re-posting.
What Happens To Your Body When You Eat Greek Yogurt
FAQ
Is it bad if Greek yogurt is watery?
How do I know if Greek yogurt has gone bad?
Is watery yogurt expired?
Is Greek yogurt supposed to have water?
Why is my Greek yogurt watery?
And it’s not about the brand: all Greek yogurts tend to get runny. So, for anyone out there wondering about this like my wife, I wrote this article to answer all your questions. Why Is My Yogurt Watery? If your yogurt looks watery when you open it, don’t worry. That liquid is normal, and it’s simply a byproduct of how yogurt is made.
Is non-fat yogurt as good as Greek yogurt?
Fat-free yogurt can be just as good as Greek yogurt. However, Greek yogurt has a lot of creaminess, but at the same time, it is high in fat and calories.
Is it safe to eat watery yogurt?
While the watery stuff might not look the most appealing, it’s perfectly safe to eat and isn’t hinting at any kind of spoilage, nutrition expert Amanda Sauceda, RDN, tells SELF. In fact, the liquid on top of your yogurt is a simple byproduct of the yogurt-making process.
Is Greek yogurt good for You?
Greek yogurt typically contains twice the amount of protein as regular yogurt, making it a popular choice for those looking to increase their protein intake. Additionally, Greek yogurt is an excellent source of calcium and probiotics, both of which are essential for good health.