Buttermilk powder
Buttermilk powder suppliers and sourcing guide
Buttermilk powder (dry buttermilk) is the dried liquid left after cream is churned into butter. The liquid is pasteurized, concentrated and spray or roller dried. It is similar to skim milk powder but carries more milk fat globule membrane, which gives it emulsifying properties and a richer dairy flavor. Brands use it in pancake and baking mixes, ranch-type seasonings, dressings, confections and baked goods.
- Category
- Food staples and powders
- Also known as
- Dry buttermilk · Dried sweet cream buttermilk · Sweet cream buttermilk powder · Buttermilk solids
- Facts checked
- November 2026
Forms and grades of buttermilk powder
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
Sweet cream buttermilk powder
From churning sweet cream, the most common grade, with mild dairy flavor.
Spray process
Spray-dried powder with low scorched particles and good solubility.
Roller process
Roller-dried powder with a more cooked flavor, less common.
Dry buttermilk product
A grade with protein below the 30 percent level of dry buttermilk, sold at a lower price.
Cultured buttermilk flavor powders
Cultured or flavored powders for dressings and seasonings; these are different products from churned buttermilk.
What to check on the COA
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
- Protein
- Protein by Kjeldahl, which separates dry buttermilk (30% or more) from dry buttermilk product.
- Milkfat and moisture
- Milk fat and moisture, which USDA grades set minimums and maximums for.
- Titratable acidity
- Titratable acidity as lactic acid, which USDA grades limit to a narrow range.
- Solubility and scorched particles
- Solubility index and scorched particle content, with different limits for spray and roller process.
- Microbiology
- Standard plate count, coliforms and Salmonella.
Storage, lots and expiry
Storage and shelf life
Store sealed in a cool, dry place away from odors and light, because the extra milk fat and membrane lipids make buttermilk powder more prone to stale and oxidized flavors than skim powder. Keep it off the floor and use opened bags promptly. Shelf life is set by the supplier, often 6 to 12 months, and older stock should be tasted before use.
Lots and expiry dates
Flavor and composition vary with the butter plant and season, so record protein, fat, moisture and acidity for each lot and taste it against a standard. Use stock first-expired, first-out.
Regulatory status
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
USDA's grade standards describe dry buttermilk as the product of drying liquid buttermilk derived from the churning of butter, with a protein content of not less than 30.0 percent.
Source: ams.usda.gov (opens in a new tab)USDA's standards state that dry buttermilk shall not contain or be derived from nonfat dry milk, dry whey or products other than buttermilk.
Source: ams.usda.gov (opens in a new tab)U.S. Extra Grade dry buttermilk requires not less than 4.5 percent milkfat and not more than 4.0 percent moisture.
Source: ams.usda.gov (opens in a new tab)21 CFR 101.4(b)(6) allows dried sweetcream buttermilk to be declared in an ingredient list as "buttermilk".
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)
This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.
Buttermilk powder suppliers
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
We are checking buttermilk powder suppliers now
Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.
Sell buttermilk powder? Request a listingFrequently asked questions
What forms of buttermilk powder can brands buy?
Common forms include sweet cream buttermilk powder, spray process, roller process, dry buttermilk product and cultured buttermilk flavor powders. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
What should the COA for buttermilk powder include?
Expect protein, milkfat and moisture, titratable acidity, solubility and scorched particles and microbiology, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
How should buttermilk powder be stored?
Store sealed in a cool, dry place away from odors and light, because the extra milk fat and membrane lipids make buttermilk powder more prone to stale and oxidized flavors than skim powder. Keep it off the floor and use opened bags promptly. Shelf life is set by the supplier, often 6 to 12 months, and older stock should be tasted before use.
What is the regulatory status of buttermilk powder?
USDA's grade standards describe dry buttermilk as the product of drying liquid buttermilk derived from the churning of butter, with a protein content of not less than 30.0 percent. USDA's standards state that dry buttermilk shall not contain or be derived from nonfat dry milk, dry whey or products other than buttermilk. U.S. Extra Grade dry buttermilk requires not less than 4.5 percent milkfat and not more than 4.0 percent moisture. 21 CFR 101.4(b)(6) allows dried sweetcream buttermilk to be declared in an ingredient list as "buttermilk".
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