Frequently Asked Questions

How does Jalna make yoghourt?

Jalna Yoghourts 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-431® 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.

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 probiotics, 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 – to give it the unique thick and creamy texture.

Other companies produce 'stirred yoghourt' 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 Yoghourt 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. 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.

Milk for Jalna a2 Yoghourt comes from Australian dairies with A2 cows.

Why choose Jalna a2 ‘pot set’ Yoghourt?

Like all Jalna Yoghourts, Jalna a2 Yoghourt is naturally ‘pot set’ with no additives like gelatine, preservatives, colours or food acids, no cane sugar or artificial sweeteners, no gluten or starches. Low lactose (less than 2.5g per 100g), low G.I. and made from milk rich in the naturally occurring a2 beta-casein protein and aBc cultures (over 600,000,000 bacteria in every serve), Jalna a2 Yoghourt may assist with your digestive wellbeing.

Enjoy Jalna a2 Yoghourt. Made the natural pot set way with fresh milk rich in A2 beta-casein protein, so you can feel the difference.

What is a2 Milk™?

a2 Milk^TM is pure dairy milk, completely natural and additive free, which is why it tastes so refreshing. Most dairy milk today contains two main types of beta-casein protein, A2 and A1, while originally all dairy cows produced milk containing only the A2 type of beta-casein protein. a2 Milk^TM comes from cows specially selected to produce A2 beta-casein protein rather than A1. Because a2 Milk^TM is rich in A2 beta-casein protein, it may assist with your digestive wellbeing.

Generally, it is accepted that the Guernsey breed of cattle have the highest frequency of the A2 gene and so Guernsey herds produce milk with high levels of A2 type beta-casein. Though not as high as Guernsey cows, Jersey cows also produce milk containing high levels of A2. Holstein and Friesian breeds carry the A1 and A2 genes in roughly equal proportions.

However, sire programs and artificial insemination of cattle can greatly displace the frequency of beta-casein genes from generation to generation, owing to the phenomena termed the 'founder effect'. So, one can only generalise about a herd’s collective A2 beta-casein production until it is tested.

How is a2 Milk™ made?

a2 Milk™ is produced from cows that naturally produce milk rich in A2 beta-casein protein.

How do we know which cows to use to produce a2 milk?

Most dairy milk today contains 2 main types of beta-casein protein, A2 and A1. a2 Milk™ contains the highest levels of the naturally occurring A2 type of beta-casein and is produced by cows known as A2 cows. These cows are selected using a simple and non-invasive genetic test that analyses a sample hair from the tail of each dairy cow. These cows are then milked separately to produce pure and natural a2 Milk™.

Originally, all dairy cows produced milk containing the A2 type of beta-casein, to the exclusion of A1 beta-casein, which is why the A2 type of beta-casein protein is known as an original milk protein.

Is a2 Milk™ a product of genetic engineering or modification (GE or GM)?

Absolutely not! The a2 Milk™ used to make Jalna a2 Yoghourt is obtained from cows specially selected for their natural genetic makeup and the fact they produce a2 Milk™.

Does a2 Milk™ have the same calcium levels as regular milk?

Yes, a2 Milk™ contains roughly the same amounts of calcium and other important minerals as other unfortified milks. 

Does a2 Milk™contain lactose?

Yes, a2 Milk™ contains levels of lactose comparable to that of standard milk, but Jalna a2 Yoghourt has reduced lactose levels (less than 2.5g per 100g).

Where can I get more information on a2 Milk™?

Simply click on the a2 web site: www.a2milk.com.au

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 yoghourt?

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. 

Does Jalna make yoghourt drinks?

Jalna Dairy Foods ceased producing yoghourt drinks (Yoghourt On the Go and Vitalize) on November 15, 2010. But you can easily make delicious yoghourt smoothies by blending any Jalna Yoghourt, fruit and milk.