Top 8: Which of these Greek yogurts is the cultured choice? 

Roz Crowley shares her favourite picks from deliciously creamy Greek yogurt

Zero-fat Greek yogurt is typically higher in protein, helping us to stay satisfied for longer. Picture: Larry Cummins

Greek yogurt is a deliciously creamy foil for the sweetness of fruit and spicy, savoury foods. Packed with easily digested enzymes, minerals, and protein, it keeps us satisfied for hours.

We can choose what we add — fresh, seasonal fruit, some nuts or seeds for breakfast, in a smoothie — ideal for when we arrive home from work or school, starving.

Greek yogurt is marked by its creaminess, achieved by straining off much of the liquid whey. The fats and some natural sugars (lactose) remain, but also a large number of beneficial live bacteria.

These may be particularly useful at times of stress, recuperation, and in support the gut microbiome after a course of antibiotics.

Genuine Greek yogurt is made in Greece, otherwise it’s termed ‘Greek style’.

Zero-fat Greek yogurt is typically higher in protein, helping us to stay satisfied for longer. Generally, the less fat a yogurt contains, the higher the protein content.

The full-fat version has a richer flavour and creamier texture, making it an ideal accompaniment to desserts.

Most Greek yogurts are made using just milk and cultures. As we often say in this column, the shorter the list of ingredients, the better.

Mevgal authentic Greek yogurt 0% fat Picture: Larry Cummins

Mevgal Greek 0% fat 900g €6.50

Skimmed milk delivers a decent 8.5% protein with 0% fats.

In contrast, the producer’s regular Greek yogurt has less protein at 6.5% with fats at a high 10%. Both are creamy — the 0% version, as expected, is less creamy. There’s a authentic feel to both yogurts, with a lively freshness that is delicious added to savoury dishes such as mashed potato, finished with a drizzle of olive oil. Made in Greece. We bought in Tesco.

Score: 10

Duneen Greek style 0% Fat yogurt. Picture: Larry Cummins

Aldi Duneen Greek style 0% fat 500g €1.98

Protein here is a fairly low 4.2% for a zero product. The texture is quite loose. In contrast the same brand (Aldi Duneen) Greek-style natural yogurt, also without additives, surprisingly has marginally higher protein at 4.8%, with fats at 9.5%. A lovely, slightly firm texture, easy to spoon. Good value. Not made in Greece, hence the title ‘Greek style’.

Score: 9

Irish Yogurts Clonakilty 0% Fat Greek-style yogurt. Picture: Larry Cummins

Irish Yogurts Clonakilty 0% fat Greek style 500ml €1.65

A decent 7.3% protein, made from Irish milk and cultures only, this contrasts with the brand’s regular Greek yogurt (€2.15/500ml), with a high 9.5% fats and 4.3% protein. Both have a quite firm, easily spoonable texture. Try with stewed apples as they come into season.

Score: 9

Milbona Authentic Greek Natural Yogurt Picture: Larry Cummins

Lidl Milbona 0% fat authentic Greek 1kg €3.69

This yogurt is made in Greece and has 0% fats, and 8.3% protein. The brand’s low-fat version is made in Clonakilty by Irish Yogurts. The low-fat yogurt ‘Greek style’ (good value at €1.69 for 1kg) has 2.5% fats, 4.7% protein (as expected, lower protein than the 0% fat). The texture is natural and quite firm, while the low fat version is looser. Both are good mixed with a splash of balsamic vinegar on tomato or beetroot salads.

Score: 9

FAGE TOTAL 0% Fat yogurt. Picture: Larry Cummins

Fage Total 0% fat 950g €7.79

Pronounced ‘fa-yeh’, this yogurt is made in Greece and has a high 10.3% protein, from milk and cultures. It’s the thickest of the 0% Greek yoghurts we tasted, making it ideal for cake fillings as it holds its shape well. It also works well in gelatine-free cheesecakes. Simply add s favourite fruit to the yogurt. Easy to work with. Pricey.

Score: 9.5

Glenisk Superior Organic Natural Style Yogurt. Picture: Larry Cummins

Glenisk Superior Organic Greek style 500g €2.99.

With added cream, this isn’t quite as authentic as other Greek style yogurts and has a high 10% fats, with low 2.8% protein. The milk and cream are commendably organic, and the flavour of the cream comes through for a richer taste than other samples. Use as a base on a serving plate for halved peaches poached for 10 minutes with vanilla in equal parts sugar and water.

Score: 8.5

Simply Better exclusively for Dunnes Stores - Authentic Greek yogurt. Picture: Larry Cummins

Dunnes Simply Better authentic Greek yogurt (450g €2.50)

Made in Greece, it has 9.9% fats and 5.9% protein, and nothing but live cultures added to strained milk for a silky texture. Use to finish a curry or other spiced dish.

Less authentic is Dunnes Greek style (450g €2.15). Fats 9.4%, protein 5.1% has 76% milk, with added cream and skimmed milk powder. The result deserves the title of ‘Greek style’, but tasters loved it.

Score: 9

Liberte Greek recipe natural 0% fat yogurt. Picture: Larry Cummins

Liberté Greek recipe 0% 500g €2.99

Protein is a high 9.3% in a moderately firm strained yogurt made in France for Yoplait.

With no additives, a good, silky texture stays on the spoon, so use as a sauce pepped up with a spicy addition such as my latest find: Tajin Clásico a powder which includes chilli (delicious sprinkled on slices of mango as a hand around starter). The Tajin comes in a little bottle in Mr Bell’s, English Market, Cork.

Score: 8.5