ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Fermented milk products

Fermented milk products are foods that are made from milk and bacteria. These bacteria are like little tiny creatures that eat the sugar that's in the milk and turn it into something new called lactic acid. This makes the milk taste different and also helps it stay fresh for longer.

One type of fermented milk product that you may know is yogurt. Yogurt is made by adding special bacteria to milk and then keeping it warm for a while. The bacteria eat the sugars in the milk and make it thicker and tangier. It can be eaten plain, or with fruit or honey added for a sweeter taste.

Another type of fermented milk product is kefir. Kefir is also made by adding bacteria to milk, but it has a different kind of bacteria than yogurt. Kefir can be thicker or thinner than yogurt and it has a bubbly texture. It's often used as a drink or added to smoothies.

Finally, there's cheese. Cheese is made by adding bacteria to milk and then curdling it (separating the solid parts from the liquid parts). The curds are then pressed and aged for a while, which gives each type of cheese its unique flavor and texture.

So, fermented milk products take milk and use bacteria to make it taste different, last longer, and have new textures. Yogurt, kefir, and cheese are all examples of these yummy foods!