Description
When milk has been curdled and strained to create cheese or casein, the by product released is a thin white liquid called whey or plasma milk. There are two types of whey, the first being sweet whey which is created during the making of hard cheeses like Cheddar and Swiss. The second type of whey is acid whey also known as sour whey, which is created during the cottage cheese making process. Whey is considered to be highly nutritious as a beverage and was often served as a popular drink in coffee houses and inns in the past. The health and slimming industry refer to whey as a functional food because of its highly valued nutritional qualities.

How to select
• Whey can be procured either as liquid or as dehydrated powder.
• It is commercially available in many health stores and medical outlets.
• Please read the actual product content on the label. Labels may say that they are whey protein but the product may still have preservatives and artificial ingredients in them. Choose that which has no flavour, no sweeteners and absolutely no colouring if you'd like to keep it as natural as possible. Use this as a rule of thumb when selecting both liquid and powdered whey.

Culinary uses
• Whey is used to make ricotta and brown cheeses.
• The sport of bodybuilding relies heavily on nutritional supplements derived or constituted from whey, like whey protein for example.
• Did you know that in Switzerland, cheese production is an important industry creating tremendous amounts of whey. It's no wonder then that its most popular drink, 'Rivella' is a carbonated drink made out of whey.
• Whey can be used as a substitute for water while kneading dough or soaking legumes or rice.
• Whey water can be added to dals to increase the protein content or in stocks which are used as a base for soups, as an extra healthy option.

How to store
• Whey that is derived from large amounts of cheese making can be stored in an airtight container for about 6 months.
• Homemade whey can be refrigerated for upto 2 to 3 days.
• However if the whey develops mould, a foul smell or other signs of going bad, even if it is less than 6 months old, please discard it.
• Commercially bought whey powder can be stored as per the instructions mentioned on the label. This generally includes storing it in a cool, dry place.

Health benefits
• Liquid whey contains lactose, vitamins, protein and minerals along with traces of fat.
• Researchers discovered that whey appears to stimulate insulin release. They discovered that whey supplements can help regulate and reduce spikes in blood sugar levels among people with type 2 diabetes by increasing insulin secretion.
• Commercial whey protein shakes are often consumed after workouts by people who are trying to gain muscle mass. The science behind this is that, whey digests very rapidly; therefore the amino acids enter the blood stream faster than any other protein sources.