This blog post was written in collaboration with Intoleran.

What is lactase?

If you’re lactose intolerant, your body struggles to break down lactose in the digestive system. The enzyme lactase breaks down lactose. When you don’t produce enough lactase (or none at all), your body can’t properly digest lactose.

Taking lactase enzymes with a meal that contains lactose, or adding lactase drops to a dairy product, can help your body process the lactose. That way, you can still enjoy your favorite dairy products!

What are lactase drops?

Lactase tablets or capsules are taken with your meals. Lactase drops, on the other hand, are added directly to dairy products. This lets you turn regular dairy into low-lactose versions yourself.

It’s super handy if you use larger amounts of certain dairy products or if the lactose-free version isn’t available, like with mascarpone or sweetened condensed milk. And let’s be honest: lactose-free products are often much more expensive. Making your own low-lactose milk, for example, can save you quite a bit.

You can buy Intoleran lactase drops in a 14 ml bottle from €15.99

Which dairy products can you use them for?

Lactase drops work best with sweet dairy products, like milk, cream, or mascarpone. They don’t work well for acidic dairy products like yogurt or buttermilk.

How to use them:

1. Pour the dairy product you want to make low-lactose into a bowl or container.
2. Add the right amount of drops and stir well.
3. Let it sit in the fridge for 24 hours.
   
   Depending on how thick the dairy is, you’ll need more or fewer drops. After 24 hours, at least 80% of the lactose is broken down, which works well for most people with lactose intolerance.

No time to wait? You can also add 5–10 drops per 120 ml and use it right away.
Personally, I prefer waiting 24 hours, then I can use fewer drops.

How many drops do you need?

Here’s a quick guide for different dairy products:

• 1 liter of (chocolate) milk: 5 drops
• 1 liter of custard: 10 drops
• 250 ml cream, condensed milk, or coffee creamer: 5 drops
• 250 ml cream cheese or mascarpone: 10 drops

Easy Summer Dessert with Intoleran lactase drops

So what can you make with them? I used the drops in this super quick summer dessert. Here’s what you need:

• 250 ml heavy cream
• 125 ml mascarpone
• 10 lactase drops
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 250 g strawberries
• 4 Schär gluten-free madeleines (or another kind of low FODMAP madeleines or cakes)

24 hours ahead:
Add 5 drops to the cream and stir. Do the same with the mascarpone in a separate bowl. Cover and refrigerate.

The next day:

1. Whip the cream with the sugar until stiff.
2. Stir the mascarpone to loosen it up and gently fold it into the whipped cream.
3. Wash and quarter the strawberries.
4. Layer the mascarpone cream into 4 small glasses. Crumble half the madeleines on top, then a layer of strawberries.
5. Add another layer of mascarpone cream and finish with the rest of the crumbs and berries.

And here you go: a super simple low-lactose summer dessert!

More ways to use the drops

I always use the drops for one of everyone’s favorites: low FODMAP tiramisu!
You’ll find both a classic version and a strawberry tiramisu on my blog.

Other recipes where I love using the drops:

• Low FODMAP stracciatella ice cream
• Low FODMAP salted caramel fudge
• Low FODMAP lemon mousse with lemon curd

Which lactase product is right for me?

Lactase enzymes come in different forms, and Intoleran offers a few great options:

• Lactase 20,000: a high-dose enzyme in tablet form. You can read my review here.
• Lactase 10,000: high-dose capsules that you swallow or open and mix with water.
• Once-a-day: a probiotic that supports lactose digestion. You only take it once per day; no need to take enzymes with every meal.
• Lactase drops: the ones I talked about in this blog, which you add directly to dairy.

I personally use all of these, depending on the situation:

If I’m going to eat a lot of lactose (like a big scoop of ice cream), I take Lactase 20,000.

For smaller amounts, I use the 10,000 or even 5,000 (two tablets of 2,500).

Lately, I take Once-a-day every morning, it’s so easy not having to think about enzymes at every meal!

And I love the lactase drops for baking or when I’m using dairy products that don’t have a lactose-free version.

I hope this info was helpful to you!
Are you going to give the lactase drops a try or have you already used them?