LIGHT MILK

1 . A mixture, comprising:

skim milk present in an amount between approximately 10-50% of the mixture;

a diluting ingredient, the diluting ingredient comprising water present in an amount between approximately 50-80% of the mixture; and

one or more accentuating ingredients that accentuates a property of the dairy ingredient, the one or more accentuating ingredients comprising:

whole milk powder present in an amount less than approximately 5% of the mixture; and

maltodextrin present in an amount less than approximately 10% of the mixture.

2 . The mixture of claim 1 , wherein the mixture comprises fewer than approximately 30 calories per 100 grams.

3 . The mixture of claim 1 , wherein the accentuating ingredients include one or more stabilizers.

4 . The mixture of claim 1 , wherein the accentuating ingredients include one or more health supplements.

5 . The mixture of claim 1 , wherein the accentuating ingredients include one or more ingredients selected to impart a flavor profile associated with milk.

6 . The mixture of claim 1 , the one or more accentuating ingredients further comprising:

carrageenan present in an amount less than approximately 2% of the mixture;

gellan gum present in an amount less than approximately 0.5% of the mixture;

one or more stabilizing salts present in an amount less than approximately 1% of the mixture;

one or more stabilizing salts present in an amount less than approximately 1% of the mixture, wherein at least one of the stabilizing salts comprise a citrate salt or a phospate salt; and

fructose present in an amount less than approximately 2% of the mixture.

7 . The mixture of claim 6 , the one or more accentuating ingredients further comprising:

sodium chloride present in an amount less than approximately 2% of the mixture;

cream flavoring present in an amount less than approximately 1% of the mixture;

vitamin A present in an amount leas than approximately 1% of the mixture;

vitamin D present in an amount less than approximately 1% of the mixture;

calcium carbonate present in an amount less than approximately 1% of the mixture; and

titanium dioxide present in an amount less than approximately 1% of the mixture.

8 . The mixture of claim 1 , wherein the mixture comprises less than approximately 1% fat.

9 . The mixture of claim 1 , wherein the mixture forms a component of a food product selected from the group consisting of: flavored milk beverages, milk-blend beverages, puddings, cultured dairy, cheeses, sour creams, cottage cheeses, and yogurts.

10 . A light milk mixture, comprising:

a dairy ingredient comprising skim milk present its an amount between approximately 10-50% of the mixture;

a diluting ingredient comprising water present in an amount between approximately 50-80% of the mixture; and

a plurality of accentuating ingredients, wherein one or more of the accentuating ingredients impart a flavor and mouthfeel similar to skim milk and one of the accentuating ingredients comprises whole milk powder present in an amount less than approximately 1% of the mixture;

the mixture comprising at least 10% fewer calories per gram than skim milk.

11 . The mixture of claim 10 , wherein the accentuating ingredients include vitamin A, vitamin D, and a calcium source selected to impart a nutritional profile similar to skim milk.

12 . The mixture of claim 10 , wherein the accentuating ingredients include one or more ingredients selected to impart an opacity and color similar to skim milk.

13 . The mixture of claim 10 , wherein the one or more of accentuating ingredients includes a buffering agent or salt selected or derived from the group consisting of sodium citrate, sodium chloride, sea salt, disodium phosphate, potassium citrate, and calcium citrate.

14 . The mixture of claim 10 , wherein the one or more accentuating ingredients includes a stabilizer selected from the group stabilizers consisting of carrageenan, guar gum, locust bean gum, modified food starch, gellan gum, native food starch, and xanthan gum.

15 . The mixture of claim 10 , wherein the one or more accentuating ingredients includes an emulsifier selected form the group of eniuisifiers consisting of monoglycerides, diglycerides, and polyoxyethylene derivatives of sorbitan esters.

16 . The mixture of claim 10 , wherein the accentuating ingredients include:

carrageenan present in an amount less than approximately 2% of the mixture, the carrageenan comprising kappa carrageenan, iota carrageenan, lambda carrageenan, or a combination;

one or more sweeteners present in an amount less than approximately 2% of the mixture, the sweeteners including fructose, sucrose, corn syrup, cane juice, stevia, derivatives of stevia, or a combination; and

one or more salts, the salts present in an amount less than approximately 3% of the mixture.

17 . The mixture of claim 16 , wherein the accentuating ingredients further include:

flavoring;

gellan gum present in an amount less than approximately 0.5% of the mixture; and

one or more bulking agents present in an amount less than approximately 10% of the mixture, the bulking agents including maltodextrin, dextrose, or a combination.

18 . The mixture of claim 10 , wherein one of the accentuating ingredients comprises a natural high intensity sweetener and the mixture includes less than approximately 40 calories per eight ounce serving.

19 . A method comprising:

introducing a dairy ingredient into a mixing chamber;

introducing a diluting ingredient into the mixing chamber, the diluting ingredient having fewer calories per gram than the dairy ingredient;

introducing one or more accentuating ingredients into the mixing chamber, the one or more accentuating ingredients selected to accentuate a property of the dairy ingredient;

mixing the dairy ingredient, the diluting ingredient, and the one or more accentuating ingredients in order to yield a mixture;

discharging the mixture from the mixing chamber.

20 . The method of claim 19 , further comprising:

pasteurizing the mixture using ultra high temperature pasteurization; and

packaging the mixture using extended shelf life filling.

21 . The method of claim 19 , wherein:

the dairy ingredient comprises skim milk;

the diluting ingredient comprises water;

the accentuating ingredients include:

a first dry blend comprising one or more of a buffering agent or a gum;

a protein source;

a second dry blend comprising one or more of a bulking agent, a sweetener, a flavoring, a vitamin, or a mineral; and

the ingredients are introduced to the mixing chamber according to a sequence of a) the skim milk and water, b) the first dry blend, c) the protein source, d) the second dry blend; and

further comprising homogenizing the mixture.