Most of the time when we hear the word “bacteria”, a little fear comes up. However, many people do not know that there are bacteria out there that are good for us and our foods. Lactic acid bacteria is manufactured in milk through a process involving the sugar of the milk, in which the lactose elements are changed into lactic acid. This causes a change in the composition of the milk, changing the texture, taste, and various other properties.
This is but one way that this process works, as it varies per product. Many of these are used to ferment various foods, including yogurt, milk, cheese, and butter. They are also used for pickling vegetables, curing fish, winemaking, and baking. These bacteria can help preserve foods longer, give them flavor, and create new textures. These bacteria our beneficial for our bodies because they help the other bacteria in our digestive system to function better. Because our society has become more health conscious, we see these bacteria being used much more often. So next time you hear about bacteria, do not simply assume it is bad; there are bacteria out there that we need and that will help keep us healthy.
