Insights into Chufa Milk Frozen Yoghurt as Cheap Functional Frozen Yoghurt with High Nutritional Value

Milk and dairy products are fundamental items in all social groups’ diets. The production of functional milk and dairy products supplemented with plant extracts is a potential direction of research in the dairy sector. In the present study, chufa (tiger nut) milk was mixed with buffalo milk for manufacturing functional frozen yoghurt. Flavoring materials (orange (O), strawberry (St), cocoa (Co), instant coffee “soluble coffee” classic (N) and cinnamon (Ci)) were used, aiming to improve the sensory attributes of the final products. The resultant frozen yoghurt was analyzed for chemical, physical and sensory properties. Interestingly, our study revealed that buffalo–chufa milk (50%:50%, w/w) frozen yoghurt (F) had higher total solid (TS), fat and protein contents compared to the control buffalo milk frozen yoghurt (CT). These parameters reached their highest values in cocoa frozen yoghurt (CoF). Lactose, acetaldehyde and pH were lower in F compared to CT, while the highest acetaldehyde value was observed in strawberry chufa frozen yoghurt (StF). Plain or flavored F recorded higher petaldehyde values, observed in strawberry chufa frozen yoghurt (StF). Plain or flavored materials improved the melting resistance, and the highest value was recorded in cinnamon chufa frozen yoghurt (CiF). Na, K, Mg, and Fe contents were significantly higher in F; however, Ca was lower compared to CT. In general, the used flavoring materials markedly increased the mineral content in the final products. A significant decrease was observed in the sensory properties in F compared to CT, whereas frozen yoghurt manufactured with coca was preferred over all other types, followed by the soluble coffee-flavored product (NF). Collectively, functional frozen yoghurt can be produced by mixing buffalo yoghurt and chufa milk (50:50 v/v). Buffalo—chufa frozen yoghurt (F) had higher nutritional value but lower physical and sensory properties compared to buffalo frozen yoghurt (control). A clear improvement in the properties of the final product can be achieved using different flavoring materials. Cleary, our present study provides novel interesting information about the potential beneficial use of chufa buffalo milk for manufacturing functional frozen yoghurt. Further similar research is recommended to explore the potential benefits of the supplementation of other dairy products with chufa.