You may or may not have known this, but besides their texture, Greek yoghurt and regular yoghurt are in fact, not the same. Yeah, we know, shocking.
These fermented dairy products are a popular food worldwide. In recent years, however, Greek yoghurt has taken the market by storm, mostly by health enthusiasts.
Both greek and regular yoghurts are packed with multiple nutrients and health benefits but there are certain factors that set them apart.
Is one healthier than the other? You’ll learn their differences today plus, whip up some simple yoghurt recipes to spice your breakfast and desserts better!
Greek Yogurt
How Greek Yogurt is Made
Also known as strained or concentrated yoghurt, Greek yoghurt is made by reducing liquids and whey. Simply put, it is the remains of milk that have been curdled and strained. This makes for yoghurt that’s thicker, creamier and tangier, hence, Greek yoghurt.
Traditionally, Greek yoghurt is hand-strained up to three times in a cloth bag until the desired texture is reached. In modern-day productions, machines are used to achieve the same consistency.
In Greek yoghurt’s straining process, it aims to reduce more liquid and increase thickness instead. This results in more milk needed to make a batch of the same size compared to regular yoghurt.
Greek Yogurt Nutrition
Luckily, the Greek Yogurt’s protein remains intact throughout the straining process, which is why the Greek yoghurt’s density and richness provide more protein than regular yoghurt in one cup.
Plus, Greek yoghurt packs less sugar than regular yoghurt. Unfortunately, it is more expensive than regular yoghurt because more milk goes into making each cup of it.
Regular Yogurt
How Regular Yogurt is Made
Regular yoghurt is made by heating up milk, adding bacteria and leaving it to ferment, until it hits an acidic pH value of about 4.5.
Due to its acidic nature, regular yoghurt tends to taste slightly sour than greek yoghurt albeit being generally sweeter still.
Regular Yogurt Nutrition
On the other hand, regular yoghurt has more calcium in it than greek yoghurt as it still has its whey intact, a substance known for housing calcium. Plus, its final outcome has a smooth consistency but varies in thickness too.
Top Yogurt Brands in Malaysia:
Formerly sold under the Nestle chilled dairy products, it’s now sold under Lactel since October 2019. Still, they give the same taste and quality for the past 50 years. Lactel not only offers a wide variety of yogurt flavours but also sells some flavorful yogurt drinks and desserts that smooth out your system.
Made from natural swiss milk, this Switzerland-based brand is simply milky and tangy with no added sugar or fats. They come in small compact cups consisting of tropical flavours that have bits of fruit in them and are not overwhelming in taste.
Perfect for a quick snack, even the plain with white daisies flavour is enough to make you want more.
A guilt-free indulgence in a cup; Sunglo is naturally blended with milk solids and live culture. Perfect as a calcium booster, this one's made from all-local ingredients and has a tangy flavour profile in the mouth.
What’s also special is that some come with a small muesli packet, which makes it a healthier and filling dessert option that's also fun for the mouth.
Want to make your cup of yoghurt more interesting? Here are some simple recipes for inspiration:
Yogurt Parfait
You can never go wrong with a yoghurt parfait. Most are filled with plain or flavoured yoghurt, then layered with fruits and granola, all of which are packed with protein and other nutrients. This would make a healthy breakfast or snack alternative if you’re watching your health.
Low Carb Greek Yogurt Chicken
Looking for a meal that’s easy, tasty and also healthy to make? Well, this chicken recipe is low in carb - only 2 carbs per serving! Mayonnaise and yoghurt, especially Greek yoghurt, is used in this recipe to bring out a crispier looking chicken. It’s considered a main dish and only takes 20 minutes to cook, so there’s your win!
Brownies with Greek Yogurt
Yoghurt brownies may seem unconventional, but trust us, it’s a real switch-up of a treat!
This brownie recipe uses Greek yoghurt as a substitute for butter and oil and there’s little to no difference once it’s baked. They may have a slight tanginess, but that’ll be untraceable if you use dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate. This gooey goodness is sure to be a treat among kids and adults alike.
Yoghurt as a Healthy Snack - Yay or Nay?
In conclusion, eating yoghurt is a healthy choice regardless of whether you choose greek or regular. They’re both loaded with protein, calcium and probiotics. However, for the best health choice, you should choose a plain one to consume.
The flavoured ones add unnecessary sugar content, so if you’re craving a little sweetness, do add some fresh fruits or a spoon of honey or maple syrup into the mix.