Speciality milks
In addition to catering to the need for milk with varying fat content, specialty milks have been developed in response to particular health concerns and taste preferences.
Acidophilus milkButtermilkCalcium-enriched milkLactose-reduced milkLow-sodium whole milkSterilized milkMalted milk
Acidophilus milk: This type of milk (usually low-fat or skim) has the same nutritional value as the milk from which it is made. It differs from regular milk in that the bacterium Lactobacillus acidophilus has been added to it. Some people believe that acidophilus milk is good for digestive upsets, or can help combat lactose intolerance. Another benefit attributed to acidophilus milk is that it can help restore beneficial bacteria to the intestines after taking antibiotics.
Buttermilk: Originally a by-product of butter making, buttermilk is now made by culturing milk—usually skim or low-fat—with a lactic-acid culture. Sometimes a small amount of butter is added for a smoother flavor and texture. A small amount of salt may also be added. Buttermilk is not usually fortified with vitamins A and D.
Calcium-enriched milk: You can pack even more calcium into a glass of milk with this low-fat milk, which is fortified with 500 milligrams of added calcium per cup.
Lactose-reduced milk: The enzyme lactase is added to this product to help lactose-intolerant people digest milk more easily. With a slightly sweet flavor, it has virtually the same nutrient values as regular 1% milk.
Low-sodium whole milk: Although salt is not added to milk, dairy products are naturally fairly high in sodium. Low-sodium milk has been treated to replace about 95% of its natural sodium with potassium. Its sodium content is about 6 milligrams per cup, compared with 120 mgs per cup in regular whole milk. The treatment almost doubles the milk's potassium content.
Sterilized milk- standardized milk is sterilized by subjecting the milk in bottles to temperatures of 115 C for 15 minutes. This kills all microorganisms. This way milk can be preserved at room temperature for at lease 85 days from the time of manufacture.
Malted milk – as the name suggests, it is made by drying a mixture of separated fluid of ground barley and whole wheat mash along with whole milk. Owing to inclusion of whole milk, the fat content ranges from 3.5 - 7.5%.
