Frequently Asked Questions

How does Jalna make yoghourt?

Jalna Yoghourts, Yoghourt On The Go and Vitalize drinks are made in the traditional manner, with all-natural ingredients. We start with fresh milk mainly from a family-farm which has been supplying us for over ten years, and our BioDynamic Organic yoghourts are made with milk from Jalna’s own BioDynamic dairy farm.

First the milk is pasteurised. If we are making a fruit variety of yoghourt, the real fruit puree is added. Then we stir in skim milk powder and ‘friendly’ aBc bacteria (La-5® Lactobacillus acidophilus, BB-12® bifidobacterium, Lc-01® Lactobacillus Casei), which are given time to activate before the mixture is poured into individual tubs or bottles. These are incubated (kept warm) to achieve the ‘pot set’, unlike ‘stirred’ yoghourts where gelatine is added.

A similar process is followed when Jalna makes its Yoghourt On The Go and Vitalize drinks. Only this time the natural ingredients of milk, ‘friendly’ aBc cultures and fruit purees are skilfully blended and poured into individual drink bottles.

After careful testing to ensure the right pH has been reached, the product is placed in refrigeration to cool thoroughly before it is distributed to supermarkets around Australia.

What does ‘pot set’ or ‘set in its own tub’ mean? What is the difference between it and ‘stirred’ yoghourt? What is ‘stirred’ yoghourt?

Jalna makes its Yoghourts in the traditional 'pot set' way – blending fresh milk, skim milk powder and ‘friendly’ aBc bacteria, and for fruit varieties, real fruit puree. Once blended the mixture is poured into the individual tubs you buy and left in a warm environment for the active cultures to incubate and ‘set’ the product – or give it the unique thick and creamy texture.

Other yoghourts are made in a large vat and as it  ‘sets’ it is stirred so it breaks up and can then be put into individual containers. Gelatine is usually added to make it re-set in the smaller containers, but this means it is not as thick and creamy as Jalna yoghourt.

Why not use gelatine?

Gelatine is protein derived from beef and veal bones, cartilage, tendons and other tissues. Much of commercial gelatine today is a by-product of pig skin.

Jalna prefers to make its Yoghourts and Yoghourt On The Go the traditional way, from all-natural ingredients like dairy milk and friendly bacteria, and not use additives like food acids, starches and gelatine. It’s really a matter of choice what you prefer to eat.

Does Jalna Yoghourt contain sugar?

Jalna does not add any cane sugar or artificial sweeteners to its Yoghourt or Yoghourt On The Go. Jalna dairy foods contain only:

• Lactose, the natural milk sugars from the milk used to make the yoghourt, and

• Fructose, the natural fruit sugar, found only in Jalna dairy foods that have added fruits and fruit juices and fruit purees.

What is the liquid that sometimes appears on the top of Jalna Yoghourt?

This liquid – or whey – is perfectly normal and is an indication that no stabilisers or thickeners like gelatine have been added to Jalna Yoghourts. Whey is part of the natural process of set yoghourts, which expel moisture – it is full of protein and you can either consume it or pour it off.

Where do you get the milk to make Jalna yoghourts?

Two dairy farms in the lush Goulburn Valley in Victoria mainly supply milk to Jalna.

The Leslie farm is family-owned and run. Its herd of Holstein black and white cows produce the milk for Jalna Yoghourts and Yoghourt On The Go. Nearby Jalna owns its own BioDynamic farm to produce the milk for the Jalna BioDynamic Organic range.

What does BioDynamic Organic mean?

Under Organic farming practices crops are grown and processed without the use of synthetic chemicals, fertilisers or GMOs and emphasis is placed on animal welfare. It is a natural means of supporting crops and animals.

BioDynamic foods are produced according to advanced Organic principles, including additional techniques to stimulate and maintain the natural biological activity of the soil – a pre-requisite for any sustainable agricultural system. Healthy soil means healthy plants, animals and people.

BioDynamic is from the Greek - “bios” means life and “dynamis” means energy.

Is BioDynamic Organic better for you?

If you are concerned about the food you eat, and the environment where it’s produced, then BioDynamic Organic foods like the Jalna range are a good choice.

The pastures where Jalna’s BioDynamic Organic herd graze are farmed according to BioDynamic principles of enlivening and nurturing arable soils, without using chemicals or water-soluble fertilisers. These practices build up the natural fertility of the soil, help conserve moisture and enhance biological activity deep into the soil structure.

Jalna believes that happy cows produce the highest quality milk, so they are carefully tended to avoid stressing them, which might create illness. The gentle mainly Holstein Friesian cows are only treated with homeopathic remedies and no antibiotics or conventional drugs can be used on the BioDynamic Organic herd.

Can I freeze Jalna yoghourts or drinks?

Freezing is not recommended for Jalna set yoghourts (or for Jalna Reduced Sour Cream). The ice crystals formed during freezing will break the natural curd texture of Jalna yoghourts. Jalna Yoghourt On The Go can be frozen and defrosted, but must remain chilled until ready to drink.