Whey facts for kids

Whey collecting as newly made cheese drains

Whey is a watery liquid that separates from milk when it turns into curds. Think of it as the leftover liquid after you make cheese or yogurt. It's also sometimes called milk plasma.

There are two main kinds of whey:

• Sweet whey is made when you create hard cheeses like Cheddar or Swiss using something called rennet.
• Acid whey (or "sour whey") comes from making cheeses like cottage cheese that use acid to curdle the milk. You might also see this liquid on top of your yogurt!

What is Whey Used For?

Whey is a very useful part of milk! It can be used in many ways:

• Making other cheeses: Some cheeses, like ricotta, are actually made from whey itself.
• Food ingredients: Whey can be added to many processed foods. You might find it in bread, pastry, or even crackers to add protein and improve texture.
• Animal feed: Farmers often use whey to feed animals because it's nutritious.
• Protein supplements: You might have seen whey protein powders. These are made from whey and are popular with people who want to build muscles or get more protein in their diet.

Images for kids

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  Containers of whey protein being sold at a health food store

See also

In Spanish: Suero de leche para niños