Health trends come and go. But some health trends turn out to be so amazing that we make them an integral part of our lives (remember Greek yoghurt?). One such health trend is Skyr, an Icelandic yoghurt that has a high protein content and contains a number of vitamins and minerals. Widely consumed as breakfast, clean dessert or a quick, healthy snack, skyr has given Greek yoghurt a run for its money.

 

Let’s delve a little deeper to know what skyr is, what health benefits it provides and whether or not it can be paired with Matcha.

 

What Is Skyr and How Is It Made?

 

Skyr is part of traditional Icelandic cuisine since the time of the Vikings. According to ancient stories of the Norse Vikings, Icelanders have been making skyr since the 9th century when settlers first came to the island.

Rich in protein and calcium, it’s thicker than most brands of yoghurt on the market. In the Icelandic language, the word for yoghurt is “Skyr” which is thought to be derived from the word with the literal meaning “cut”. Skyr is thick enough to be cut by a knife and it’s so concentrated that it needs up to four times as much milk to make than regular yoghurt.  

Skyr is traditionally made from skim milk or low-fat milk. In the 18th century and earlier, it was made from sheep’s milk but now cow’s milk is used for making skyr.

 

 

A little bit of skyr from the previous batch is mixed with the milk to infuse the culture of bacteria with the milk and when the curd starts to form, the whey is drained slowly.

Because of this process, skyr is naturally fat-free. However, sometimes cream and flavouring can be added. Typically, skyr is available in vanilla and fruit flavours. The latter uses bits of real fruit and agave nectar.

 

How Does It Taste?

It has a taste similar to yoghurt. Altough it's a little bit more sour than Greek yoghurt.

 

How Nutritious Is It?

Skyr contains a wide range of nutrients such as proteins, carbs, phosphorus, calcium, vitamin B-12, potassium, riboflavin.

Also, it has more proteins than many other dairy products. 100 grams of skyr contains about 11 grams of protein, which is much higher than the protein content of Greek yoghurt. 100 grams of Greek yoghurt contains only about 7 grams of protein.

 

What Health Benefits Does It Offer?

 

 

Keeps You Full

Because it’s so thick and concentrated, it’s densely packed with nutrients, which keep you feeling full. You feel less hungry which means, you consume fewer calories.

Research shows that dairy can regulate your blood sugar levels, help you preserve your muscle mass when you lose weight and improve your bone health.

Studies show that eating foods rich in protein boosts metabolism, helping your body burn more calories.

May Provide Protection From Osteoporosis

Being rich in calcium means that skyr can make your bones stronger. Whilst collagen forms the main structure of bones in the body, calcium and phosphate strengthen that structure and improve bone density, preventing osteoporosis.  

Can Protect Cardiovascular Health

Heart disease and stroke are the world’s leading causes of death. They have been so for the last 15 years, resulting in 15 million deaths worldwide in 2015 (WHO). The

However, there are studies that show that consuming healthy dairy products such as skyr can reduce the risk of heart disease. Skyr is rich in calcium, magnesium and potassium, all these are important for cardiovascular health.

Keeps Blood Sugar In Check

After meals, the body breaks down carbs into glucose. After that, insulin (a hormone) transport the glucose into the cells so that it can be used as energy.

However, a heavy intake of carbs hinders this process and shoots up the blood sugar levels. This is something you can prevent with foods rich in protein such as skyr. Research shows that consuming protein-rich foods slows down carbohydrate absorption in the body, which results in an improved control of blood sugar levels.

All in all, skyr is a very nutrient-rich food which can be a great addition to your diet and a healthier substitute for Greek yoghurt.

Skyr and Matcha

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