Quark and Skyr are both made from milk, leading to some confusion about their differences. Are these two dairy products the same? What are they? Are they a type of cheese or yoghurt? In this article, we will answer all these questions and also look at their nutritional profile to see what the differences are.
Are Skyr and Quark the Same?
No, Skyr and Quark are different. Both are dairy products, but they are made differently. Skyr is made from pasteurized skimmed milk, while Quark is made from heated soured milk.
Although both are considered types of cheese, Skyr is smoother and has the consistency of strained yogurt, whereas Quark is thicker.
Nutritional Comparison: Skyr vs Quark
Does Skyr or Quark have a better nutritional profile? Let’s take a look.
There are different varieties of Quark and Skyr and for the purpose of this comparison, we will compare Arla Skyr (Natural) and Tesco Quark.
Here is their nutritional profile compared side by side:
| Typical values per 100g | Arla Skyr Natural | Tesco Quark Fat Free Soft Cheese |
| Calories | 63 kcal | 65 kcal |
| Fat | <0.5g | 0.3g |
| Saturated fat | <0.1g | 0.1g |
| Carbohydrates | 4.0g | 3.8g |
| Sugars | 4.0g | 3.7g |
| Fibre | 0.0g | 0.5g |
| Protein | 10.6g | 11.6g |
| Salt | 0.14g | 0.1g |
Nutritionally, Arla Skyr and Tesco Quark are very similar. They have almost the same number of calories per 100g with Quark having only slightly more than Skyr.
Arla Skyr is virtually fat-free while Tesco Quark contains only minimal amounts of fat (0.3g per 100g, out of which 0.1g is saturated fat).
Their carbohydrates content is very similar too – Skyr contains 4.0g of carbs per 100g while Quark contains 3.8g. Quark has less sugar (naturally occurring lactose), containing 3.7g of sugars per 100g while Skyr has 4g.
Protein Content
Skyr is considered very high in protein compared to yoghurts like natural yoghurt. However, when compared to Quark, Skyr has slightly less protein – 10.6g per 100g vs 11.6g of protein in Quark. The difference is not massive though and they are both excellent sources of low-fat protein.
Main Differences
Although Quark and Skyr have very similar nutritional profiles, there are still different types of dairy products and here is how they differentiate:
- Origins – Skyr is of Icelandic origins while Quark traces its origins back to German-speaking and Eastern European countries.
- Consistency – Skyr has a very smooth thick and creamy consistency that is similar to Greek yoghurt. Quark’s consistency is totally different – it is not creamy, it is thicker and not as smooth.
- Flavour – Skyr has a pretty mild, slightly sour flavour and a creamy taste. Quark is more similar to cottage cheese in its flavour and tastes rather bland and not that pleasant on its own. I personally prefer Skyr – it’s better tasting.
- Protein content – Quark is higher in protein than Skyr containing 11.6 g of protein (or more) per 100g vs 10.6g of protein in Skyr.
So, Which is Healthier?
Overall, both Quark and Skyr are excellent, healthy choices. They are both low in fat and high in protein. However, if you are looking to boost your protein intake, Quark has a slight advantage with more protein per 100g. Skyr, on the other hand, is often preferred for its smooth, creamy texture and pleasant taste.
Ultimately, the best choice depends on your dietary goals and taste preferences. Enjoy experimenting with both to see which suits you best!