Skyr vs Greek Yogurt: What’s the Difference?

When I was a kid, yogurt mainly consisted of Dannon—it was super sugary, watery, and, frankly, not very good. Aside from that, yogurt was just a gloppy, sour-tasting lump consumed by adults on diets. Luckily, we have emerged from the yogurt dark ages, in part thanks to Greek yogurt. It’s much heartier, thicker, and (I’ll say it) tastier than any of the stuff I ate as a kid. But if you thought the evolution of yogurt ended with Chobani, you’re wrong. Because skyr has hit the refrigerated shelves.

But what is the difference between skyr and Greek yogurt? Let’s get to the bottom of this (that’s where the fruit is located, after all).

Greek yogurt vs skyr: texture

According to Icelandic Provisions (producer of some of the best skyr you can find), skyr is “a thick and creamy Icelandic yogurt that’s been a provision of Icelanders for nearly 1,000 years. Skyr is akin to yogurt but has a different texture thanks to the heirloom Icelandic cultures used to make it.”

Greek yogurt vs skyr: flavor

If we want to get really technical about it, skyr is technically considered to be a cheese rather than a yogurt, but because its consistency and flavor profile are so similar, it is often lumped into this category. Both are tangy and creamy, though skyr is slightly less tangy than Greek yogurt.

Greek yogurt vs skyr: usage

Skyr has been enjoyed since viking days in Iceland, and today, it’s enjoyed in much the same way yogurt is. You can add it to a recipe in place of yogurt. You can also eat skyr on its own with fruit and granola.

Greek yogurt vs skyr: nutrition

So, is skyr healthier than Greek yogurt? The bottom line is that both of these food items are a great source of protein and calcium without costing a lot of calories and are a solid healthy choice. However, skyr does have even more protein than Greek yogurt, as well as generally being lower in sugar, carbs, and fat. So if you’re looking for something a little different than the Chobani, it’s a great choice.

That’s the word on skyr. And now that you’ve taken a deep dive into nordic dairy options, might I recommend filmjölk, the traditional Swedish fermented milk product with a distinctive sour taste? Perhaps this will be the next yogurt-ish item to expand to American grocery shelves. Enjoy!