DOI, DAHI, DADHI, CURD OR YOGURT – A WONDERFUL FOOD

 

 

Every Bengali lunch or dinner ends with ‘doi’ and ‘mishti’. While the latter refers to a wide variety of most delectable and mouth watering sweets, doi is dahi or curd. The nearest thing to curd, available all over the world is Yogurt. Both curd and yogurt are fermented milk products, Curd is typically considered a more traditional, homemade version of yogurt, often made with natural bacterial cultures, whereas "yogurt" usually refers to a commercially produced, pasteurized product with specific added bacterial strains for a more consistent flavor and texture; meaning they can be different, particularly in terms of the bacteria used and production method. In almost every Indian household, the curd is prepared by curdling milk with natural acidic substances like old curd (jamun). On the other hand, yoghurt is fermented with artificial acids and it usually cannot be prepared in our kitchen.

Curd is eaten as it comes, usually with sweets – Rasogulla and Sandesh or it is uded to make delicious fish preparation, doi mach, or marinate mutton and chicken, or make raita or curd-rice.

Types of Dadhi

Ayurveda mentions seven types of dadhi

1.      Madhura dadhi – sweet in taste. It is prepared by fermenting fresh milk at room temperature for 6 to 8 hours

2.      Amla dadhi – sour in taste. The fermentation time is 12 to 14 hours. This stimulates digestion and apetite

3.      Atyamla dadhi – excessively sour in taste. The fermentation time is 24 hours. This has therapeautic use in Ayurveda

4.      Mandajata dadhi – partially set and fermented for 4 to 6 hours only. It too has medicinal use in Ayurveda.

5.      Shrytaksheera dadhi – made from boiled and cooled milk, fermented for 8 to 10 hours. This is the commonest dadhi, for regular consumption

6.      Asara dadhi – This is made by skimming off the cream before fermenting it. It has lower calorie and is easy to digest.

7.      Sara dadhi – It is prepared from cream rich milk by allowing the cream to form at the top during fermentation. This has high calorie and is best for nourishment. 

 

Benefits of Dadhi

Curd or Yogurt is a great food to consume. It helps with digestion, gives us a good energetic feeling and tastes wonderful. But not many people know that it has many other benefits.

1. Protects our teeth

The lactic acid in yogurt has a positive and protective effect on our gums and teeth. It can help keep our teeth healthy and pretty and overcome the damage done by other foods and drinks, most commonly - coffee. It's important to note that although it contains sugar, yogurt has no harmful effect on the enamel of our teeth.

2. Reduces allergy symptoms

Those of us with seasonal allergies know how hard it can be to do anything once the symptoms start to appear, but a cup of yogurt might be an easy fix to this problem. The probiotics found in yogurt may decrease body’s reaction to pollen and other allergens, minimizing allergic reaction.

3. Great pre or post workout snack

Yogurt is rich in carbohydrates that can either help re-fuel the body throughout workout, or replace the energy lost after we are done. The potassium and sodium found in it can also help replace those electrolytes we sweat out and keep us feeling fresh even after a hard workout.

4. Fights the common cold

The common cold will always be there, not much we can do about it. But there's still hope for preventing it in time. Curd or yogurt can strengthen our immune system, making our T-cells stronger and more active. They are more prone to beat the sickness out of  our body before it drags on too long.

5. Prevents yeast infections

If you are given a prescription for antibiotics, you might want to consider yogurt to protect yourself. Using antibiotics usually raises the chances of yeast infections and the yogurt’s active cultures can help balance pH levels and prevent this uncomfortable problem.  The good bacteria in the gut, which fall victim to the antibiotic get replaced by the good bacteria in yorurt.

6. Reduces the risk of high blood pressure

A recent study, conducted over the course of 15 years, revealed that 30% of volunteers that took at least 2% of their daily calorie intake from yogurt, were less likely to develop high blood pressure. That's only from 2%!

7. Helps prevent osteoporosis

All milk and dairy products are in general a great source of calcium and help build healthy bones. Look for yogurts with added vitamin D for greater help in keeping your bones strong and healthy. With homemade curd we can add Vitamin D as a supplement.

8. A great source of energy

Aside from the energy provided by the carbohydrates in yogurt, it also contains B vitamins which are just what your body needs when you feel like you could use a little pick-me-up.

9. Builds muscle

Yogurt contains all of the essential amino acids necessary to build muscle and other tissues in the body. It is a complete protein, which means it is also a welcome addition to our diet as they support all the necessary biological functions of the human body.

10. Helps you lose weight

Yogurt helps build muscle and this means that it helps burn fat. The high amounts of protein will also help one to stay fuller for longer periods of time while reducing the need for snacks and unhealthy foods.   

11. Skin and eyesight 

Curd contains vitamin A, which helps maintain healthy skin and eyesight. 

12. Fight Dandruff 

Curd has anti-inflammatory properties that can help treat dandruff and other scalp conditions. Topical application, holding on for 5 minutes and then shampooing it off is all that is needed.

 

One should always keep an eye open on the sugar content in yogurt. Many kinds of yogurt contain added sugars and artificial sweeteners that you do not want. Stick to 12-18 grams of natural sugar per serving and you're free to sit back and peacefully enjoy a cup of the good stuff! However. 'mishti doi' or 'Poyodhi' once in a while, is simply criminal to deny!