Dairy products are an important part of our diet. In almost everything Malaysians cook and eat, dairy in one form or another – milk butter, cheese or yoghurt – is used.
But many do not know how to choose the best quality, or dairy products that contain the nutrients needed.
Which cheese is good for those who are lactose intolerant? What is the difference between skimmed and low-fat milk?
Most Malaysians assume that the higher the price, the better the quality. But this may not necessarily be true.
Choosing the right dairy products not only helps maintain a better diet, it makes you healthier and fitter.
Here are five things to know when choosing quality dairy products.
1. Milk
There are two things to know when choosing milk. The first is whether the cows producing it are grass- or grain-fed.
Milk from grass-fed cows is pricier but it has more nutrients such as vitamin K, omega 3, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and calcium than milk from grain-fed cows, which has a higher fat content.
Second is the choice of milk.
Most people only know about full-fat and low-fat milk. But there is skimmed milk as well. If you are on a diet and watching your fat intake, choose skimmed milk. It has only 0.5% fat and the same nutrients as low-fat milk.
2. Cheese
First of all, processed cheese slices are not real cheese and do not have the health benefits of cheese.
The first thing you should know when selecting or buying cheese is the different types and how to pair them with a meal.
For those looking for a low lactose content, Parmesan, Swiss and cheddar have the lowest.
3. Cream
Choosing cream is a little tricky since there are so many types available. Using the wrong one may not be detrimental to your health, but it could ruin the dish.
When choosing cream, it is best to go for the one with the highest fat content. Cream with a higher fat content gives a rich, creamy taste and whips much better.
But different creams are needed for different dishes.
Double cream or heavy cream is best used for savoury dishes such as curry because it does not split or curdle when cooking at high heat. Whipping cream is suitable for soups and stews.
So, the next time you are out buying cream, check the labels first.
4. Butter
When buying butter, the cheapest option on the shelf is usually chosen. As long as it is packaged in an aluminium sheet and there is an image of a cow stamped on it, most people are good to go.
But many people confuse margarine with butter.
Margarine is plant-based while butter is animal-based. Butter is not pure fat; it is about 20% water and it contains milk proteins (solids).
Margarine is typically made of 80% vegetable oil and water, and flavoured to taste like butter.
A good quality butter not only tastes better, but it is lower in fat and much more nutrient dense – a good source of omega 3 fats, B12, beta carotene, vitamin K, D, E, and C and the best one, CLA).
To enjoy all these health benefits, use butter made from milk produced by grass-fed cows rather than grain-fed.
Quality in EU dairy products
Now, you have some knowledge that will help you choose dairy products. But the sheer choice can be overwhelming.
EU dairy products such as Lakeland Dairies, Millac and Millac Gold are brands that ensure their products are good quality and nutrient rich.
With proper research, milking processes and humane treatment of dairy cows, EU dairy products are the No 1 choice of many restaurants, hotels and other dining establishments in Malaysia
This article first appeared in butterkicap.com.
Butterkicap is a food and culture platform and community that enables anyone to experience Malaysia through stories of her people, food and places.