Best Asian Dairy Product Types
This traditional Turkish dairy product is thought to have origins among the Turkic people of Central Asia. A bit later, it has spread across the Middle East, the Balkans, and certain parts of Asia. The making of kaymak involves boiling, simmering, and skimming of fresh milk before the resulting cream is allowed to chill and develop into a thick, smooth, and velvety dairy delicacy.
Kaymak purists believe that true kaymak is prepared with water buffalo's milk, which is thicker and higher in milk fat than the milk of other animals, although cow's, goat's, and sheep's milk are also traditionally used. Comparable to clotted cream, this dairy product is characterized by a rich and slightly tangy flavor and a high content of milk fat.
THE BEST Kaymak Dairy Products
This butter originates from Turkey, specifically the Yakcukur area in the province of Trabzon. It's made with a combination of pasteurized cow's milk cream and butter cultures. Once prepared, the butter is washed with ice-cold water, then stirred with a large wooden spoon for a long time until the butter is shaped.
It's traditionally decorated with a few incisions on top, usually made with a spoon. This butter with a unique flavor, color, and aroma is produced using only traditional methods. It's mostly consumed as a breakfast item.
THE BEST Trabzon Butter Butters
Ghee is a type of clarified butter that is considered a superfood by many people. It is cooked for a long time so that nearly all of the milk and moisture is removed. In India, due to the hot climate, butter has to be stabilized for storage and use, so people decided to clarify it.
Although it was initially made in the northeast of India, ghee first started to gain popularity in southern India. Ghee is also extremely healthy, since it is full of vitamins A and E, fights inflammation, and is low in lactose and casein. It is also considered a sacred fat, and ritual candles are sometimes made of ghee.
THE BEST Ghee Butters
Indian dahi, also known as curd in the Indian context, is a traditional fermented dairy product similar to yogurt but distinct in its preparation and taste. It is made by introducing a bacterial culture to lukewarm milk, which then ferments the milk sugars (lactose) into lactic acid.
This process thickens the milk and gives it a tangy flavor. Dahi is an essential part of Indian cuisine and is consumed in various forms across the country. It can be eaten plain, used as a base for raitas (a yogurt-based condiment), blended into smoothies (lassi), used in marinations for meat and vegetables, or incorporated into desserts.
The thick, mild malai is a homemade dairy product made with heated milk which is refrigerated until a thick layer of fat is created on top. Yellow in color, malai is usually skimmed off by hands, stored in containers, and the procedure is repeated until all fat and proteins have been separated from the milk.
Even though it is a time-consuming process, malai is commonly prepared in many Indian households, and usually used as an ingredient in creamy sauces, curries, and traditional desserts.
Jameed is a Jordanian fermented dairy product that is made by drying salted and thickened yogurt obtained from ewe’s or goat’s milk. Traditionally, the yogurt is strained using a cheesecloth until all the whey drains off, leaving a thick yogurt paste in the cloth.
The salty, dense yogurt is then shaped into round balls before being allowed to dry for several weeks until it reaches a stone-hard consistency. Jameed is characterized by a unique salty and sour flavor with a lingering aftertaste, while the color may be yellowish or white, depending on whether it's been dried in the sun or in the shade.
Mawa, also known as khoya, is a dairy product widely used in Indian and South Asian cuisine. It's made by simmering full-fat milk in a wide, shallow pan for an extended period, allowing the liquid to evaporate. The milk is continuously stirred to prevent sticking and burning until it reduces to a thick, dough-like consistency.
The resulting product is rich and dense, with a texture that falls somewhere between ricotta cheese and a soft fudge. Mawa has a milky, slightly sweet taste, and it's an essential base for many Indian sweets and desserts, such as gulab jamun, peda, and burfi.
Kashk (known by various names in different countries) is a multi-ethnic delicacy made by drying and fermenting yogurt, which is then usually crushed and used in a variety of ways. It is characterized by its unique, deep flavor similar to the ones found in mature cheeses.
Kashk is often added to soups and stews in order to thicken them and enrich their flavors. It can also be consumed on its own or dissolved in water. Today, kashk is quite common in Iranian, Turkish, Balkan, and Caucasian cuisines.
Safed makhan refers to white butter, a traditional type of butter made from fresh cream or yogurt, typically without any added salt. It is a staple in Indian cuisine, especially in rural areas, and has a rich, creamy texture and mild flavor. Safed makhan is prepared by collecting fresh cream (malai) from milk over several days or by churning yogurt.
The cream or yogurt is then churned vigorously, either by hand, with a wooden churner (mathani), or with a modern blender, to separate the butterfat from the buttermilk. The butter is then washed with cold water to remove any remaining buttermilk, which helps improve its shelf life.
Meekiri is a creamy Sri Lankan curd made from filtered buffalo milk that is heated and stirred until it is slightly thickened and reduced. While it cools, thickening and souring agents such as previously made curd, tamarind pulp, or natural microbes are added.
The final result is a creamy curd that typically has higher fat content than cow milk curd, and that can be preserved for a longer period. Making meekiri is often a communal affair, with whole families participating in stirring the boiling milk with large wooden spoons, in order to prevent the milk from burning.
Best Asian Dairy Product Producers
Yonsei University Dairy is one of the oldest and most prestigious dairy producers in South Korea, with a tradition dating back to 1962. As part of Yonsei University, the company was established with the goal of providing high-quality dairy products, ensuring strict control over raw materials and production processes.
The uniqueness of this producer lies in its ownership of its own farms, guaranteeing freshness, natural taste, and top-tier product safety. Thanks to innovative production methods and research in food technology, Yonsei University Dairy continuously enhances the quality of its products and expands its product range.
BEST Yonsei University Dairy Dairy Products
Taiwan Dairy Farm is a Taiwanese agricultural enterprise dedicated to producing high-quality dairy products. The company emphasizes diligence, optimism, and fairness in its operations, reflecting a deep commitment to Taiwan's agricultural values. By implementing rigorous inspection processes, Taiwan Dairy Farm ensures that each product delivered to consumers meets the highest standards of quality and safety.
Their product line includes fresh milk, yogurt, cheese, and other dairy items, all crafted to provide a delicious start to every day. Through innovative research and development, the company proactively produces high value-added agricultural products, promoting its brands in the international market and showcasing Taiwan's agriculture on the world stage.
BEST Taiwan Diary Farm Dairy Products
Yotsuba is a Japanese dairy company founded in 1967 by farmers from Hokkaido. The company specializes in the production and sale of milk and dairy products, using high-quality raw milk produced in Hokkaido's rich natural environment. Yotsuba is committed to delivering fresh and natural products directly to consumers, ensuring safety and high quality through strict controls throughout the entire production process.
Their product range includes milk, yogurt, cheese, butter, and powdered milk, all made from 100% raw milk sourced from Hokkaido. The company also operates a research center and multiple factories across Japan, including its main factory in Tokachi.
Headquartered in Sapporo, Yotsuba continues to contribute to consumers' daily lives by providing delicious and safe dairy products.
BEST Yotsuba Butters
İslamoğlu Gıda is a family-owned company established in the 1960s in Vakfıkebir, Trabzon, Turkey. Initially operating in wholesale and retail sectors, the company transitioned in the 1990s to focus on dairy products under the name İslamoğlu Gıda Sanayi Ticaret Şirketi.
They specialize in traditional Turkish dairy items, notably Vakfıkebir Tereyağı (butter), and have expanded their offerings to include olives and other regional products.
BEST İslamoğlu Gıda Butters
One of the largest mountain ranges in Turkey, stretching from the Mediterranean to the Aegean; the Taurus Mountains... A unique naturalness with its evergreen trees, deep valleys, plateaus, lakes, streams and waterfalls... Yörükoğlu, who discovered the value of the milk produced by the Yörüks living in the clean and healthy environment of the Taurus Mountains years ago, has been sharing the flavors produced from this milk with you for years.
Yörükoğlu, which has been among Turkey's top 500 industrial giants since 2007, offers a wide range of flavors from ayran to yogurt, cheese to butter with its advanced technology and over 700 employees in two separate locations in the Antalya Organized Industrial Zone as of 2020.
BEST Yörükoğlu Süt Dairy Products
Namdar Kaymak is a Turkish manufacturer specializing in the production of high-quality clotted cream (kaymak), a popular dairy product in Turkish cuisine. Known for its rich texture and exceptional taste, Namdar Kaymak uses premium milk and traditional methods to create their products.
The company prides itself on delivering natural and fresh dairy items to the market, offering a variety of kaymak products that enhance both sweet and savory dishes.
BEST Namdar Kaymak Dairy Products
Emirgan Sütiş is a leading Turkish brand known for producing premium dairy products, including milk, cheese, yogurt, and traditional Turkish desserts. Their offerings are crafted using high-quality ingredients and traditional methods, ensuring freshness and flavor.
The company is committed to maintaining sustainability while delivering healthy, delicious products. Emirgan Sütiş is particularly famous for its iconic locations in Istanbul, where customers can enjoy fresh dairy items in a warm, welcoming environment.
BEST Emirgan Sütiş Dairy Products
Sütaş is a leading Turkish dairy producer known for its high-quality milk and dairy products. With a focus on sustainability, innovation, and food safety, Sütaş offers a wide range of products, including milk, cheese, yogurt, and butter. The company uses advanced technology while maintaining traditional values, ensuring freshness and taste.
Sütaş has established itself as a trusted brand in Turkish households, providing wholesome and nutritious dairy options.
BEST Sütaş Dairy Products
Teksüt is a leading Turkish dairy brand known for its high-quality products, ranging from milk and cheese to yogurt and butter. The company is committed to producing natural and healthy dairy items using modern technology while maintaining traditional methods.
Tek Süt ensures that all of its products are fresh and nutritious. With a strong emphasis on sustainability, the brand has gained consumer trust in Turkey.
BEST Teksüt Dairy Products
Amul is a leading Indian and globally recognized dairy producer, synonymous with premium quality, rich tradition, and innovation in the dairy industry. As India’s largest dairy cooperative, Amul unites millions of farmers and sources the finest fresh milk to create a diverse range of products, including milk, butter, cheese, yogurt, ghee, ice cream, and other dairy specialties.
Its commitment to quality and authentic taste ensures that every product retains its natural freshness and nutritional value. By combining traditional production methods with modern technology, Amul has become one of the most trusted brands for households, the foodservice sector, and the food industry worldwide.
BEST Amul Butters
Best Asian Dairy Products
Yonsei Milk 1A Exclusive Ranch Milk is a premium-quality milk sourced from 100% domestic Grade 1A raw milk. Produced by Yonsei Dairy, this milk is carefully processed to retain its natural freshness and nutritional benefits. Designed for home delivery, it ensures that families receive the freshest milk directly to their doorstep.
This exclusive ranch milk is known for its rich, creamy taste and high nutritional value, making it a great choice for daily consumption. It contains essential nutrients such as calcium, protein, and vitamins, which support strong bones and overall health.
Lioujia Village Fresh Milk is a premium dairy product from Taiwan Dairy Farm, known for its exceptional freshness and quality. Made from carefully selected fresh milk from local farms, this milk undergoes strict quality controls to ensure its natural purity, rich flavor, and nutritional value.
It is characterized by a full, creamy texture and natural sweetness, thanks to high standards in livestock farming and carefully controlled processing conditions. The milk is free from additives and preservatives, making it a perfect choice for daily consumption, whether enjoyed on its own, in coffee, tea, or with meals.
Manda Kaymağı from Namdar Kaymak is a premium variety of Turkish clotted cream, made from high-quality buffalo milk, which offers a rich, creamy texture and a more intense flavor compared to regular cow’s milk kaymak. It is prized for its smoothness and its authentic, traditional taste, making it a luxurious addition to Turkish breakfasts, desserts, and various dishes.
The product embodies the natural richness of buffalo milk, providing an exceptional taste experience.
Tek Süt's Kaymak is a rich, creamy dairy product made from high-quality milk. Known for its smooth texture and deliciously indulgent flavor, it is a traditional Turkish treat. Ideal for breakfasts, desserts, or savory dishes, it adds a luxurious touch to any meal.
The product is made with care to ensure its natural and fresh taste.
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