Whey is a by-product of dairy making and can be used in many ways instead of being thrown away. Here are some ideas for using whey:

• Baking: Substitute whey in any baking recipe that calls for water or milk. It can be used in bread, rolls, cornbread, pancakes, waffles, muffins, biscuits, tortillas, and more.
• Lacto-fermenting: Use whey to lacto-ferment vegetables, condiments, sauerkraut, chutneys, jams, etc. This is a healthful form of preservation that increases the nutritional value of many things.
• Soaking grains: Add several tablespoons or more of whey to grain and legume preparations to make them more digestible.
• Freezing: Freeze whey for future use. Try putting it in ice cube trays or small cups to make the proper portion sizes.
• Smoothies: Add whey to homemade fruit smoothies, fruit slushies, or milkshakes.
• Hair product: Use whey as a shampoo substitute, hair rinse, or conditioner to make hair smoother and shinier.
• Make butter: Leave whey to cool for a few hours or overnight. The cream present in whey will rise to the top and can be scooped away and used to make butter.
• Pest control: Dilute whey with water and spray on plants to help keep powdery mildew at bay.
• Amend soil acidity: Use whey to lower the pH of the soil for plants that need more acidity, like tomatoes, or to turn hydrangeas blue.
• Cooking: Use whey to cook potatoes, rice, and other grains to give them extra flavor and depth.
• Cheese making: Use whey to make all kinds of cheese, including ricotta cheese.
• Drinkable: Drink whey as it is rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals.
• Beauty regimen: Use whey as a base for face masks, hair masks, and other beauty treatments.

It is important to note that there are two types of whey: sweet whey and acidic whey. Sweet whey is what you have left when making cheese that uses rennet, while acid whey is the byproduct of processes that use bacteria to ferment the dairy, like when making homemade yogurt or sour cream. Depending on what you made, you will have either sweet or acid whey, and they have different uses.