Partially denatured whey protein product

A process for producing a partially denatured whey protein product having a protein content of from 65 to 95 wt-% relative to total dry matter, a denaturization level of the protein of from 55 to 80%, and with a mean particle diameter of from 30 to 60 .mu.m, said process comprising the steps of:

• a) separating from whey a protein-enriched, lactose-reduced whey retentate, which is concentrated to a dry matter content of from 25 to 35 wt-% and which has a whey protein content which has been enriched to from 65 to 95 wt-% relative to total dry matter and a lactose content which has been decreased to less than 20 wt-% relative to total dry matter;
• b) adding water and diluted lye to the protein-enriched lactose-reduced whey retentate in amounts sufficient to convert it to a diluted whey retentate having a dry matter content of from 10 to 20 wt-% and a pH-value in the range from>7.0 to 8.0;
• c) preheating the diluted whey retentate to a temperature under the coagulation point of the whey protein, said temperature being at least 50 .degree. C., and then introducing the preheated whey retentate and steam into a homogenizer and simultaneously subjecting the preheated whey to homogenization and to a denaturizing temperature generated by the introduced steam for a residence time sufficient to denature from 55 to 80 wt-% of the whey protein, whereby a homogenized and partially denatured product is obtained;
• and
• d) directly thereafter spray drying the homogenized and partially denatured product.