Curd and Yogurt are often confused as same in India. While some consider yogurt as a western concept, others are clueless about the difference.

No, you are not the only one who considers curd and yogurt the same or doesn’t know the difference between the two. A lot of us, especially Indians often confuse between the two.

Even I, myself considered both as the same until I found ‘Mango Yogurt’ in a store and bought it home. Let me tell you, the two aren’t very different, but there is a thin line that makes them stand apart.

Curd or Dahi is an integral part of our Indian staple. We consume it on daily basis, with paratha/roti or rice.

Yogurt is an essential component of healthy diet, it is usually consumed separately and as flavoured. It is popular in India.

Curd is prepared at home by adding a little amount of already prepared curd into warm milk. It is left for fermentation for 8-12 hours, after which it is refrigerated and consumed. Our mothers and grandmothers also leave a small amount of it to make it again.

Yogurt is an industrial concept as it requires specific bacteria in order to be produced. To make yogurt, you need two specific strains of bacterias namely Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophiles. Thus, it is not possible to make it at home.

Curd is usually consumed un-flavoured. Some people may also add salt or sugar to it, based on their preference. Curd can taste a little sour, also depending on when one is having it. The later you consume, sour it will become.

Yogurt, on the other hand, is generally flavoured. It is sold in stores in different varieties such as blueberry yogurt, raspberry yogurt, Greek yogurt, pro-biotic etc. So, it tastes according to the flavour.

Curd may have a little fluid-like texture and is found in piece-like structures.

Yogurt, however is more creamy and thick and it can’t be divided in pieces.

Curd is not a standardized product as it is made differently home to home. So, the nutritional values vary according to the milk and previous curd used. In general, it contains as many vitamins as in the milk used. A medium bowl of curd also contains 3-4 g protein.

Yogurt is a standardized product as it is produced in industries. The nutritional values therefore remain the same every time. Yogurt is more nutritious than curd as it contains approx. 11 g protein in every medium bowl.

Curd is known to have a cooling effect and is effective in regulating the digestive system. A person suffering with constipation, acidity or any other digestive issues is advised to have curd everyday along with meals.

Yogurt is effectively known to aid weight loss as it is rich in protein. To avail the maximum benefits, you should consult your dietician and consume it in advised quantity.

Disclaimer: The information on this POST is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional advice. The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. All content, including text, graphics, images and information, contained on or available through this article is for general information purposes / educational purposes only, and to ensure discussion or debate.

Thank you … It is also an excellent source of protein and calcium for those who can’t tolerate lactose. Since the lactose is broken and converted into lactic acid, people who can’t consume milk and other supplements can be benefitted from it.

Curd has multiple uses. From benefitting the digestive system to face and hair, it is a miracle for our lifestyle.

Yogurt on the other hand, is suitable only for consumption and not for application or masks.

Curd is a natural ingredient known to have anti-inflammatory properties that can help with pimples, reduce scars, bumps and reduce tanning. It has cooling properties that can prevent or fight dandruff and make hair more smooth and shiny.

Yogurt and Curd, both are equally important for human digestion and overall health and thus, we must include at least one of these in our everyday diet.

A bowl of curd can be added in your everyday diet. Try to consume it only in the morning as it can give really great benefits to your digestion. You can have it along with your morning meal or lunch. However, you should try to consume it plain and not by adding sugar.

Yogurt is a good source of Vitamin B12, which helps in keeping the nerve and blood cells healthy. It also keeps the nervous system working well by protecting it from free radicals. Vitamin B12 is also required for metabolism and the synthesis of fatty acids.

Yogurt has less lactose. Hence, yogurt is an excellent way to replace curd if you have irritated bowel syndrome due to high lactose intake.

So, the next time you ask what the difference between curd and yogurt is, remember that it’s all about how they’re made.

Curd is essentially the solid part of milk that has been separated, whereas yogurt contains live bacteria, which enhance its health benefits. So instead of having coagulated milk with no probiotics qualities, try adding more yogurt to your diet to get all the essential nutrients you need.

Do you want to add a word or two?….

Curd and Yogurt are different by method of preparation and health benefits. However, both of these are excellent for human consumption and one must include it in his or her diet.

There is widespread confusion between curd and yogurt, especially since they are both made from milk. Many people gets confused with curd as Indian Yogurt, which is not the case.

The word curd derives from the cuddling of milk which can be natural (by leaving raw milk to sour) or by adding acidic agents like vinegar or lime. Hence, curd can never be any form of yogurt as the process of making the two are absolutely different.

Your comments ….

A Curd is a thickened batter made by adding an acid such as lemon, vinegar, buttermilk, or curdled milk to hot milk and letting it cool down for a few minutes.

The acid causes tiny particles of the casein protein (the significant protein present in milk) to coagulate into larger ones that make the curd thick. ‘Curd is obtained by coagulating milk into the sequential process called cuddling’

It is often referred to as the first stage of cheese making where the increased acidity tangles the milk proteins leading to solid masses. Raw milk left to sour naturally produces curds to produce sour milk cheese. These curds are then further pressed and drained to varying amounts to produce different amounts of cheese.

Yogurt is very much different from Curd. As per the American dictionary, Yogurt is the cultured milk product produced from heating and fermenting milk and adding bacteria into it.

In other words, curdled milk is Curd, while yogurt will contain millions of live bacteria beneficial to our body.

Yogurt is generally used as a starter for fermentation and making other products like cheese and buttermilk.

Yogurt can be/cannot be thicker than Curd, but it does have a much milder taste than you would expect.

While curds and yogurt are made from the same source, i.e., milk, there’s quite a lot of difference between them, both in taste and health benefits. The most significant advantage of consuming yogurt  is that it is full of good bacteria and probiotics.

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