TIC Pretested Dairyblend YG-AG Effective In Today's Range Of Drinkable Yogurts

Belcamp, MD - The growth of drinkable yogurts has been nothing short of booming over the past few years. One look at the retail dairy case reveals continued expansion of drinkable yogurts and smoothies geared to all kinds of consumers, from toddlers to 'tweens and teens to health-conscious mature women. In the foodservice sector, meanwhile, drinkable yogurts can be found on the menu at places as disparate as fast-food chains, coffee shops and casual restaurants.

With the category enjoying frequent double-digit growth in volume and sales, manufacturers of both dairy and soy based cultured beverages continue to look for ways to develop new products and improve existing ones in order to maintain their competitive edge. Such formulations sometimes can be tricky, however, especially with the addition of added ingredients and nutrients. "One of the big challenges with these products is stabilization when adding fruit juices or fruit bases to the dairy or soy portion. Special consideration needs to be given to the processing parameters and stabilizer system in order to produce a finished product that is smooth, stable, and acceptable to the consumer," explains Jenny Norton, food scientist for TIC Gums.

To help yogurt makers develop and produce consistent, high quality drinkable formulations, TIC Gums offers TIC Pretested Dairyblend YG-AG. As its name implies, Dairyblend YG-AG is specially designed for yogurt products. "Dairyblend YG-AG is a combination of hydrocolloids which not only provides stability, but also gives added viscosity when needed and even fruit suspension," says Norton, adding that the gum system is particularly effective in yogurt drinks because it can be used at different usage levels to create the desired textures. "The usage level is important in drinkable yogurts specifically for the texture desired. There are a wide variety of drinkable yogurts on the market right now that range from very thin and almost milk-like to an almost spoonable consistency."

SOURCE: TIC Gums