Yogurt is a popular dairy product that is made by fermenting milk with bacteria cultures. The bacteria convert the milk’s natural sugars into lactic acid, which gives yogurt its tart flavor and thick, creamy texture. However, some people cannot or prefer not to consume dairy products. For those individuals, dairy-free yogurts have been developed as an alternative.
The Rise of Dairy-Free Yogurts
Dairy-free yogurts are becoming increasingly popular for people with lactose intolerance, milk allergies, or those following vegan or plant-based diets. The global dairy-free yogurt market was valued at $2.49 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach $4.84 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 10.3% from 2022 to 2028.
Oui by Yoplait is one of the major brands producing dairy-free yogurts. Oui launched its line of dairy-free yogurts in 2018, offering a thicker, creamier alternative closer in texture to traditional dairy yogurts. The brand has seen tremendous growth and now offers several yogurt flavors made with different dairy-free bases.
Base Ingredients in Oui Dairy-Free Yogurts
Oui crafts its dairy-free yogurts using cultured non-dairy bases combined with live and active cultures. The specific base ingredients can vary between flavors:
- Coconut milk: Oui’s coconut milk yogurts use coconut products as the cultured dairy-free base. Coconut milk provides a rich, creamy texture.
- Almond milk: Oui’s almond milk yogurts use almond milk as the non-dairy base. Almond milk has a mild, slightly nutty flavor.
- Oat milk: Oui’s oat milk yogurts use gluten-free oat milk as the base. Oat milk has a mild oat taste and creamy consistency.
- Soy milk: Oui’s soy milk yogurts use soybeans to create the dairy-free base. Soy milk has a relatively neutral flavor profile.
Along with the dairy-free base, Oui adds live and active cultures into each yogurt. These cultures—including strains like Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Streptococcus thermophilus, and Lactobacillus acidophilus—ferment the sugars in the base ingredients and turn them into tart-tasting lactic acid.
The mix of non-dairy base and live cultures gives Oui dairy-free yogurts their thick, creamy texture while delivering probiotic benefits. However, the specific ingredients can vary across different flavors.
Ingredients by Oui Yogurt Flavor
Oui offers dairy-free yogurts made with almond milk, coconut milk, oat milk, and soy milk bases. Here is a breakdown of the main ingredients for some of Oui’s most popular yogurt flavors:
Coconut Milk Yogurts
- Strawberry: Coconut milk, strawberries, cane sugar, water, chicory root fiber, natural flavors, fruit pectin, locust bean gum, cultures.
- Vanilla: Coconut milk, cane sugar, water, chicory root fiber, natural flavors, locust bean gum, cultures.
- Plain: Coconut milk, cane sugar, water, chicory root fiber, locust bean gum, cultures.
Almond Milk Yogurts
- Blueberry: Almond milk, blueberries, cane sugar, chicory root fiber, natural flavors, fruit pectin, locust bean gum, cultures.
- Peach: Almond milk, peaches, cane sugar, chicory root fiber, natural flavors, fruit pectin, locust bean gum, cultures.
- Plain: Almond milk, cane sugar, chicory root fiber, natural flavors, locust bean gum, cultures.
Oat Milk Yogurts
- Strawberry: Oat milk, strawberries, cane sugar, chicory root fiber, natural flavors, fruit pectin, locust bean gum, cultures.
- Blueberry: Oat milk, blueberries, cane sugar, chicory root fiber, natural flavors, fruit pectin, locust bean gum, cultures.
- Plain: Oat milk, cane sugar, chicory root fiber, natural flavors, locust bean gum, cultures.
Soy Milk Yogurts
- Blueberry: Soy milk, blueberries, cane sugar, chicory root fiber, natural flavors, fruit pectin, locust bean gum, cultures.
- Strawberry: Soy milk, strawberries, cane sugar, chicory root fiber, natural flavors, fruit pectin, locust bean gum, cultures.
- Plain: Soy milk, cane sugar, chicory root fiber, natural flavors, locust bean gum, cultures.
While the base ingredients change between versions, all Oui dairy-free yogurts contain added cultures, natural flavors, stabilizers like pectin or locust bean gum, and sweeteners like cane sugar or fruit. The fruit flavors also contain pieces of real fruit like strawberries, blueberries, or peaches.
Nutrition Information
Oui dairy-free yogurts deliver protein, probiotics, vitamins, and minerals, while being lactose-free and vegan. Here is some of the nutrition information for a 5.3oz container of Oui dairy-free yogurt:
| Flavor | Calories | Total Fat | Sodium | Total Carbs | Sugars | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coconut Strawberry | 140 | 2.5g | 65mg | 29g | 20g | 1g |
| Almond Blueberry | 180 | 3.5g | 125mg | 36g | 30g | 2g |
| Oat Strawberry | 160 | 3g | 65mg | 32g | 24g | 2g |
| Soy Blueberry | 180 | 3g | 90mg | 35g | 28g | 3g |
The dairy-free yogurts contain 2-3.5g of fat per serving mainly from the plant-based milks. Carb content ranges from 29-36g depending on fruit content and type of base. Added sugars make up most of those carbs from cane sugar and natural sweetness from fruit. The yogurts offer 1-3g of plant-based protein per serving.
Benefits of Oui Dairy-Free Yogurt
Switching to Oui dairy-free yogurt offers several benefits, including:
- Dairy-free: Oui yogurt does not contain lactose, milk protein, or other dairy ingredients, making it safe for people with milk allergies or sensitivities.
- Plant-based: The yogurts are made from vegan bases like soy, oat, almond, or coconut milk, providing a creamy, dairy-like texture and taste.
- Probiotics: Live and active cultures are added to each yogurt, delivering billions of probiotic bacteria that support digestive and immune health.
- Nutritious: Oui yogurts contain fiber, vitamins, minerals, and a balanced macro-nutrient profile from the plant-based milks.
- Flavors: Fruit flavors like strawberry and blueberry provide flavor variety along with added fruit pieces.
- Creamy texture: Oui controls fermentation to deliver a thicker, more decadent texture closer to traditional dairy yogurt.
For people avoiding dairy or looking for plant-based options, Oui provides a tasty, nutritious, and dairy-free alternative to regular yogurt.
How Oui Dairy-Free Yogurt is Made
Oui closely guards its proprietary process for making dairy-free yogurt. However, the general production process likely includes these main steps:
- Selecting and preparing the dairy-free base – Oui starts with dairy-free bases like almond, coconut, oat, or soy milk. The plant-based milk is homogenized and standardized to a desired fat and protein content.
- Mixing in stabilizers – Stabilizers like pectin, locust bean gum, or natural starches are added to the plant milk base. This helps strengthen the structure for a thick, creamy texture.
- Adding sugar and flavors – Cane sugar is added as a sweetener along with any other natural flavors to enhance taste and aroma.
- Heating and incubation – The dairy-free milk base is heated to 180-185°F to pasteurize it. Live and active bacterial yogurt cultures are then added and thoroughly mixed in.
- Fermentation and coagulation – The mixture is left to ferment in a temperature and time controlled environment. Fermentation converts natural sugars to lactic acid which causes the proteins to coagulate into a soft gel.
- Cooling and mixing – Once the desired texture and pH are reached, the yogurt is rapidly cooled to stop further fermentation. Fruit preparations and pieces are folded in for the flavored varieties.
- Packaging – The yogurt is packaged into cups, and refrigerated to yield a long shelf life.
The ingredients and process for making Oui dairy-free yogurt allow it to deliver the creamy, smooth texture of regular yogurt without using any dairy components. Careful control over fermentation and textures also ensures good taste and nutrition in the final product.
Quality and Safety Standards
Oui dairy-free yogurts produced by Yoplait must meet the same high standards for quality and safety as their traditional dairy yogurts:
- Manufacturing facilities comply with hazard analysis and risk-based preventive control requirements of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).
- Facilities follow Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMPs) with strict procedures for cleanliness, testing, and control of ingredients and processes.
- Ingredient suppliers must meet specifications and pass audits before being approved.
- Raw ingredients undergo testing and pass quality checks upon receipt.
- Finished products are visually examined and tested to ensure they meet quality metrics for appearance, texture, taste, and food safety.
- Comprehensive food safety programs include microbiological testing and stringent sanitation procedures.
By controlling ingredients and following strict safety protocols, Oui dairy-free yogurts achieve the same high-quality standards expected from major yogurt brands.
Future Outlook
The dairy-free yogurt segment is projected to continue growing at double-digit rates, driven by consumer demand for plant-based and allergen-friendly options. Oui by Yoplait is well-positioned to capitalize on this growth through distribution under a major trusted brand.
Trends shaping the future of dairy-free yogurt include:
- New base ingredients – Continued innovation exploring bases like pea, potato, cashew or other vegan milks.
- Novel processing – Using techniques like high-pressure processing (HPP) to improve textures and shelf life.
- Added functional ingredients – Incorporating supplements, prebiotics, or other functional nutrients.
- Unique flavors – Capitalizing on fruit flavors along with savory mixes incorporating spices, herbs, or vegetables.
Oui has already pioneered improved textures and taste profiles with its current dairy-free yogurt. The brand is likely to continue innovating, leveraging its capabilities to bring new and improved plant-based yogurts to the growing number of consumers seeking dairy-free options.
Conclusion
Oui offers dairy-free yogurts made from cultured non-dairy bases like almond, coconut, soy or oat milk. Careful fermentation using probiotic cultures gives Oui products the thick, creamy texture of traditional dairy yogurt without using lactose or milk proteins. The ingredients, nutrition, and careful production allow people with dairy sensitivities or vegan diets to enjoy the flavor and benefits of yogurt through Oui’s dairy-free line.
