Yogurt is a result or fermenting milk or cream. The mixture of the milk is incubated at a specific temperature to have bacterial growth. It can be plain, sweetened, with gelatine or fruits. Yogurt is filled with probiotics (the good bacteria), calcium and proteins. It is also a star at aiding one with digestion. There are different types of yogurt one can choose from.
Traditional Yogurt
If you are a fan of creamy and smooth texture yogurt, this should be your go-to. It is generally unstrained. It is thickened with lactic-acid culturing added to milk. Traditional or milk yogurts are made with whole milk, skim or 2%. It doesn’t contain a lot of proteins like Greek Yogurt. Feel free to add fruits like strawberries and peaches if plain yogurt isn’t something you enjoy.
Greek Yogurt
This continues to grow in popularity, possibly due to the high amount of proteins. This yogurt, unlike the traditional one is strained. This removes the liquid and whey, making it thicker in consistency. Most Greek yogurts barely contain any sugar and are low in carbohydrates. However, there are on the ingredients used or the process of making it. Greek yogurt can be found in full fat, non-fat or low-fat. It is tangy to taste. Such yogurts are also mostly used in making smoothies, Mediterranean dishes and sauces.
Australian Yogurt
Not as thick as a Greek Yogurt or as liquid-y as a traditional one, the Australian yogurt is the perfect balance between the two. It is typically made with whole milk. Like the traditional yogurt, it is unstrained with a velvety texture. It is cooked for longer than the traditional yogurt and has a creamy texture. Infusing this with honey is an amazing sweetener that makes the yogurt 10 times better tasting.
Icelandic Yogurt
AKA Skyr, this is high in protein. It is a cultured dairy that is strained 4 times! It’s tangier and smoother than the Greek Yogurt. It is so thick in consistency that you can definitely sink your teeth into it. The yogurt is low in fat and high in calcium.
Non-Diary Yogurt
If you are a vegan or are lactose intolerant, this is perfect for you. Yogurt can be made with almond milk and other milk alternatives. There are also recipes that use milk from nuts like peanuts and cashews. They are generally low in fat and naturally sweetened.
Kefir
This fermented yogurt drink is high in vitamin D, calcium, minerals and proteins. It takes a while to ferment and consists of a lot of probiotics. Kefir is a master at supporting a healthy digestive system. It can be made with any type of milk. This milk is blended with kefir grains. The texture can be super watery to ultra-thick and the taste can be anywhere between sweet to tarty. You could use it on your cereal, granola or smoothie for a quick and healthy breakfast.
Choosing yogurt can be very confusing, especially because of the wide range of options. But one thing to keep in mind is to avoid artificial sweeteners or food coloring. Choosing a yogurt that has ‘live active cultures’ mentioned in the description can be a good idea to start with.