Best yoghurt in the UK reviewed
Last updated: 16 October 2025
Here we will give a hands-on, taste-tested review of some of the UK’s best and most popular yoghurt, including Yeo Valley, Fage, Tesco’s Finest, Tesco high protein yoghurt, Sainsbury’s, M&S Greek style, M&S sheep’s yoghurt and various yoghurt from Milbona by Lidl and Brooklea by Aldi.
We’ll look into the benefits, ingredients, nutrition and flavour of these popular yoghurts and see where each yoghurt stands above the competition.
You might also be interested in reading our popular article on the best probiotics in the UK if you want to add more healthy microbes to your diet.
Types of yoghurt
Here are the most common types of unflavoured yoghurt you will find in UK supermarkets.
Authentic strained Greek yoghurt
This is, in my humble opinion, is the pinnacle of yoghurt. It is produced in Greece and made by physically straining off whey (ie the liquid which separates from the milk) after fermentation. This process results in a naturally thick and creamy texture and essentially concentrates the flavour to produce a rich, decadent yoghurt. It has higher protein and fat than most yoghurt.
Greek style yoghurt
These are yoghurts are made to mimic authentic Greek yoghurt, but they are generally not strained. Most Greek style yoghurt in the UK is made in the UK.
They often have a creamy consistency and a smoother, less dense texture than authentic Greek yoghurt. They also have less protein but a similar amount of fat as authentic Greek yoghurt.
Pot set yoghurt
Pot set yogurt is fermented and set directly in the container it will be sold in. In contrast, other yoghurt is fermented in a larger vat and may be stirred to create a more even and smooth texture.
Pot set yoghurts tend to have a delicate, irregular texture which can feel like the yoghurt is made up of lots of small lumps. I often find them to be less creamy than other yoghurt.
Natural yoghurt
This just means that the yoghurt is made from milk and live cultures without added flavours, sweeteners or thickeners. Yoghurt from the above categories would usually be classified as natural yoghurt also.
Does yoghurt contain probiotics?
Sometimes, but definitely not always.
Probiotics are live microorganisms that have been shown to benefit health when consumed in adequate amounts. And for something to count as a true probiotic, the exact strain needs solid evidence behind it. So probiotics are a category of live cultures.
Most yoghurts are made using the live cultures Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus. These are the classic starter cultures that turn milk into yoghurt, but they’re not generally classed as probiotics. (They can, however, help improve lactose digestion in people who have difficulty digesting lactose.)
Some yoghurts add proven probiotic strains like certain types of Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium.
Best yoghurt overall in the UK
Fage Total 5% fat yoghurt
Fage Total 5% fat yoghurt is a great all-round choice which offers lower fat than most, high protein, probiotics and a good taste.
The ingredients in this yoghurt are pasteurised skimmed milk, cream (milk) and live cultures.
This yoghurt is made in Greece and is strained. However, it’s not a 100% traditional Greek yoghurt as it includes cream - whereas traditional strained Greek yoghurt would only include whole milk and live cultures.
Fage state they include the following live cultures:
Lactobacillus acidophilus - a probiotic which may support digestion and help maintain vaginal and intestinal health
Lactobacillus casei - a probiotic that may help balance gut bacteria and support healthy digestion, particularly during stress or antibiotic use
Bifidus - refers to the Bifidobacterium genus of bacteria, not a specific species like the other live cultures listed. While it’s possible, or even likely, this/these cultures are probiotic, we don’t know for sure
Streptococcus thermophilus - a common starter culture for yogurt whose main role is to ferment milk sugars. It may assist lactose digestion, but it is not generally regarded as a probiotic
Lactobacillus bulgaricus (aka Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus) - a starter culture used to ferment milk into yoghurt; it may aid lactose digestion but is not generally considered a probiotic
In terms of the amount of actual live cultures present (ie colony forming units), no information is provided.
It has moderate levels of fat (5%), very good levels of protein (9%), low to moderate levels of sugar (3%) and moderate levels of calcium (121mg per 100g).
Flavour
The texture is nice and thick. It also has a good creaminess considering its lower-than-usual fat content.
The aroma is mostly of cottage or savoury cheese.
The taste is very clean and fairly neutral. It has some savoury cheese and buttery characteristics and comes across as very fresh and natural. And it has a moderate acidity.
Overall, the taste is very good. It has one of the best fat-to-creaminess ratios I’ve experienced.
Cost and availability
You can buy a 950g tub from Tesco for £5.55.
Summary
Rating: 4.75 stars out of 5.
Verdict: Fage Total 5% fat yoghurt is a great all-round yoghurt - with lower fat than most, higher protein and a lovely natural taste. You will pay more for the pleasure though.
Pros
natural ingredients
very high in protein
lower in fat than a lot of similar yoghurt
great creaminess considering the fat content
thick texture
good taste
source of probiotics
Cons
not 100% traditional (because of the added cream)
no information on the actual amount of live cultures it contains (ie colony forming units)
expensive
Read our full review of Fage Total 5% fat yoghurt.
Our favourite gut health products in the UK
YourBiology Gut+ probiotic not only offers 10 strains of probiotics, but also includes two types of prebiotics, three digestive enzymes and vitamin D for gut health support. All this means it offers a lot more benefits for gut health and general health than most probiotic supplements do
Healthpath gut health test is the UK’s most comprehensive gut health test. It tests over 100 biomarkers, checks your digestion and immune response, analyses leaky gut and provides a clear and understandable report on your microbiome
YourBiology SuperGreens+ is a superfood and greens supplement which makes it very easy to get a huge amount of nutrition - vitamins, minerals, amino acids, fibre, polyphenols and more - in one glass. Great for supporting gut health, skin health, energy, mental clarity and immunity.
Read more about the best gut health products in the UK.
Best tasting yoghurt in the UK
Lidl Milbona Authentic Greek yoghurt
Lidl Milbona Authentic Greek yoghurt tastes amazingly rich and creamy. It also provides great value for a yoghurt made in Greece.
Read about the best Lidl yoghurt in the UK.
It is a traditional, strained yoghurt which only includes milk and live cultures.
Unfortunately there is no indication of the strains of live cultures present in this yoghurt, so we don’t know whether the live cultures can be considered probiotic or not. (A probiotic is a type of live culture which gives us health benefits.)
In terms of the amount of actual live cultures present (ie colony forming units), again no information is provided.
It has high levels of fat (10%), good levels of protein (6%) and moderate levels of sugar (4%). Unfortunately they don’t state its calcium content.
Flavour
The texture is almost like cream. It is very decadent and beautifully creamy and thick. For comparison it is more creamy than Lidl’s Greek style yogurt (see below), even though they have the same fat levels.
The aroma is mainly of savoury cheese.
The taste is very creamy and rich. And there’s a decent acidity to balance out this richness.
Overall, the taste is fantastic and quite decadent. You can really tell how the straining process has created a richer, more concentrated flavour. Being so rich it isn’t as moreish as some other yoghurts though.
Cost and availability
You can buy a 500g tub from Lidl for £1.89.
Summary
Rating: 4.75 stars out of 5.
Verdict: Lidl Milbona Authentic Greek yoghurt is a strained yoghurt with a fantastic, rich flavour. It offers great value for a traditional yoghurt actually made in Greece.
Pros
simple, natural ingredients
rich, decadent taste
very creamy and thick texture
great value for a strained yoghurt made in Greece
good protein levels
Cons
high in fat
no information on the strains of live cultures included
no information on the actual amount of live cultures it contains (ie colony forming units)
no information on its calcium content
Read our full review of Lidl Milbona Authentic Greek yoghurt.
Best high protein yoghurt in the UK
Tesco high protein yoghurt
Tesco high protein yoghurt is a great choice if want to focus on getting good macros - very high protein, very low fat - while still getting a decent taste (which unfortunately is not common with this type of yoghurt).
Read about the best high protein yoghurt in the UK.
This yoghurt is very natural containing only milk (likely skim milk) and live cultures.
Unfortunately it doesn’t give any information on the live cultures it contains or the amount of them.
It has excellent protein levels (11.3%), very low fat (0.4%), moderate sugar levels (3.9%) and moderate levels of calcium (120mg per 100g).
Flavour
The texture is very thick but given the near absence of fat, it doesn’t have a very creamy texture.
The aroma is weak with just a slight milkiness present.
The taste is very clean and again just milky with nothing else really coming through. It has a moderate acidity.
Overall, the taste is very good for a high protein yoghurt (which often don’t taste great).
Cost and availability
You can buy a 500g tub from Tesco for £1.85.
Summary
Rating: 4.75 stars out of 5.
Verdict: Tesco high protein yoghurt does better than most high protein yoghurts in combining very high protein levels, very low fat levels and an enjoyable taste.
Pros
simple, natural ingredients
thick texture
very high protein levels
very low fat levels
great tasting for this type of yoghurt
Cons
lacks the creaminess of other yoghurts with higher fat
no information on the strains of live cultures included
no information on the actual amount of live cultures it contains (ie colony forming units)
Read our full review of Tesco high protein yoghurt.
Runner up high protein yoghurt
Lidl Milbona high protein yoghurt
Lidl Milbona high protein yoghurt is another great choice for a very high protein, very low fat yoghurt.
It only includes milk and live cultures.
Unfortunately it doesn’t give any information on the live cultures it contains or the amount of them.
It has very low levels of fat (0.2%), very good protein levels (11%) and moderate sugar levels (4.1%). Unfortunately no information is given regarding its calcium levels.
Flavour
It has a very thick texture in the mouth, but given the very low fat levels it isn’t very creamy.
The aroma is quite neutral, with just a small note of savoury cheese.
The taste matches the aroma - clean, simple with some savoury cheese towards the end. And the acidity is moderate.
Overall, the taste is very good for a high protein yoghurt and doesn’t have the chalkiness which plagues a lot of high protein yoghurt. For something 0.2% fat, you can’t really hope for much better than this.
Cost and availability
You can buy a 500g tub from Lidl for £1.59.
Summary
Rating: 4.75 stars out of 5.
Verdict: Lidl Milbona high protein yoghurt is indeed very high in protein and very low in fat. It also comes at a great price and tastes very good for this type of yoghurt.
Pros
simple, natural ingredients
thick texture
very high protein levels
very low fat levels
great tasting for this type of yoghurt
good value
Cons
lacks the creaminess of other yoghurts with higher fat
no information on the strains of live cultures included
no information on the actual amount of live cultures it contains (ie colony forming units)
no information on the calcium content
Read our full review of Lidl Milbona high protein yoghurt.
Runner up best tasting yoghurt
Aldi Brooklea Authentic Greek yoghurt
Aldi Brooklea Authentic Greek yoghurt is another delicious, and good value, traditional yoghurt made in Greece.
Read more about the best Aldi yoghurt in the UK.
It contains milk, cream and live cultures. Strictly speaking, cream is not a traditional ingredient in strained Greek yoghurts though.
This yoghurt includes two types of live cultures, Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus. However these are starter cultures which ferment milk into yoghurt and are not generally regarded as probiotic (which means they give us health benefits).
In terms of the amount of actual live cultures present (ie colony forming units), no information is provided.
It has high levels of fat (10%), good levels of protein (5.9%) and low to moderate levels of sugar (3.1%). Unfortunately they don’t state its calcium content.
Flavour
It has a great texture which is very thick and very creamy.
The aroma is quite cheesy, almost like a mild cheddar cheese.
The taste is more on the savoury end, but not as much like savoury cheese as I was expecting from the aroma. It is very rich with a fairly strong acidity to provide balance.
Overall, the taste is nice, rich and luxurious - as you would expect from a strained authentic Greek yoghurt.
Cost and availability
You can buy a 500g tub from Aldi for £2.19.
Summary
Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5.
Verdict: Aldi Brooklea Authentic Greek yoghurt is a strained yoghurt which is rich, decadent and has a nice savoury taste.
Pros
simple, natural ingredients (even if cream isn’t entirely traditional)
rich, savoury taste
thick and creamy texture
good value for a strained yoghurt made in Greece
good protein levels
fairly low in sugar
Cons
high in fat
no information on the actual amount of live cultures it contains (ie colony forming units)
no information on its calcium content
Read our full review of Aldi Brooklea Authentic Greek yoghurt.
Our favourite gut health products in the UK
YourBiology Gut+ probiotic not only offers 10 strains of probiotics, but also includes two types of prebiotics, three digestive enzymes and vitamin D for gut health support. All this means it offers a lot more benefits for gut health and general health than most probiotic supplements do
Healthpath gut health test is the UK’s most comprehensive gut health test. It tests over 100 biomarkers, checks your digestion and immune response, analyses leaky gut and provides a clear and understandable report on your microbiome
YourBiology SuperGreens+ is a superfood and greens supplement which makes it very easy to get a huge amount of nutrition - vitamins, minerals, amino acids, fibre, polyphenols and more - in one glass. Great for supporting gut health, skin health, energy, mental clarity and immunity.
Read more about the best gut health products in the UK.
Best value yoghurt in the UK
Lidl Milbona Greek style yoghurt
Lidl Milbona Greek style yoghurt is an excellent choice if you are looking for a great value yoghurt.
It only includes milk and live cultures.
Unfortunately it doesn’t give any information on the live cultures it contains or the amount of them.
It has high levels of fat (10%), moderate levels of protein (4.1%) and moderate levels of sugar (4.4%). Unfortunately they don’t state its calcium content.
Flavour
It has a nice thick and creamy texture.
Its aroma is clean and milky as you would expect.
The taste is again is clean and natural, with a moderate acidity. I find it refreshing and very moreish.
Overall, the taste is very good - much better than I was expecting from a yoghurt of this price.
Cost and availability
You can buy a 1kg tub from Lidl for £1.69.
Summary
Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5.
Verdict: Lidl Milbona Greek style yoghurt is a simple, clean, lovely tasting, natural yoghurt for a great price. It presents incredible value.
Pros
simple, natural ingredients
lovely taste
thick and creamy texture
very cheap
versatile
Cons
high in fat
no information on the strains of live cultures included
no information on the actual amount of live cultures it contains (ie colony forming units)
no information on its calcium content
Read our full review of Lidl Milbona Greek style yoghurt.
Best Greek style yoghurt
M&S Greek style yoghurt
M&S Greek style yoghurt is a delicious UK-made Greek-style yoghurt.
It only includes milk and live cultures.
Unfortunately it doesn’t give any information on the live cultures it contains or the amount of them.
It has high levels of fat (9.6%), moderate levels of protein (4.1%) and moderate to high levels of sugar for an unflavoured yoghurt (4.8%). Unfortunately they don’t state its calcium content.
Flavour
The texture is fairly thick and nicely creamy.
Its aroma has some butter and cheddar characteristics.
The taste is clean with some savoury cheese character. It has a fairly high acidity which balances the richness well and leaves you craving more.
Overall, the taste is great. It comes across as fresh and natural, and the creaminess is very satisfying. It’s refreshing and very moreish. The sourness might perhaps be too much for some, but personally I think it is well balanced.
Cost and availability
You can buy a 1kg tub from M&S for £1.95.
Summary
Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5.
Verdict: M&S Greek style yoghurt has a great flavour and comes at a very reasonable price.
Pros
simple, natural ingredients
versatile
good value
nice texture
good creaminess
lovely fresh flavour
Cons
high in fat
no information on the strains of live cultures included
no information on the actual amount of live cultures it contains (ie colony forming units)
no information on its calcium content
Read our full review of M&S Greek style yoghurt.
Best sheep’s milk yoghurt in the UK
M&S sheep's milk yoghurt
M&S sheep's milk yoghurt is a good choice if you want a yoghurt which might be easier for you to digest.
It only includes sheep’s milk and live cultures.
Unfortunately it doesn’t give any information on the live cultures it contains or the amount of them.
In terms of digestion, sheep’s milk has a higher proportion of A2 β-casein and less αs1-casein than cow’s milk. These differences lead to a softer, finer curd which enzymes break down more easily. This means many people who feel bloated with cow’s milk yoghurt find sheep’s milk yoghurt gentler.
Sheep’s milk also provides more calcium, phosphorus and zinc than cow’s milk, plus higher levels of riboflavin and vitamin B12.
This yoghurt has moderate levels of fat (5.8%), good levels of protein (5.2%) and moderate to high levels of sugar for an unflavoured yoghurt (4.8%). Unfortunately they don’t state its calcium content.
Flavour
The texture is decently thick and is best described as slimier and stickier than cow’s milk yoghurt.
Its aroma is quite neutral and not too dissimilar to cow’s milk. It is less sheep-y than I was expecting.
The taste is also quite mild and not too sheep-ish. There’s a nice buttery character to it and it has a high acidity.
Overall, the taste is good and not as strong as I had feared. It’s the slightly slimy texture which takes a bit of getting used to.
Cost and availability
You can buy a 450g tub from M&S for £3.80.
Summary
Rating: 4.25 stars out of 5.
Verdict: M&S sheep's milk yoghurt has a nice flavour, but a texture which some might find unappealing. Being from sheep’s milk, it provides some advantages over cow’s milk yoghurt related to digestion and nutrients. It is expensive though.
Pros
simple, natural ingredients
versatile
higher in some vitamins and minerals compared to cow’s milk
easier to digest for some people than cow’s milk
good protein levels
nice, approachable flavour
Cons
slimy texture is a bit troubling at first
premium price
no information on the live cultures included
no information on the actual amount of live cultures it contains (ie colony forming units)
Read our full review of M&S sheep's milk yoghurt.
Runner up best value yoghurt
Aldi Brooklea Greek style yoghurt
Aldi Brooklea Greek style yoghurt is another great value yoghurt.
It only includes milk and live cultures.
Unfortunately it doesn’t give any information on the live cultures it contains or the amount of them.
It has high levels of fat (10%), moderate protein levels (4.1%) and moderate sugar levels (4.4%). Unfortunately no information is given regarding calcium levels.
Flavour
The texture is moderately thick (not as thick as some other yoghurt) but it has a nice creaminess.
The aroma is quite neutral with a touch of savoury cheese.
The taste is similar - milky, clean with just a bit of savoury cheese characteristics. The acidity is moderate.
Overall, the taste is good and there’s a nice freshness to it which makes you want to go back for more. The simple taste doesn’t have the character of some other yoghurts, but it comes across as being very clean and natural.
Cost and availability
You can buy a 500g tub from Aldi for £0.95.
Summary
Rating: 4.25 stars out of 5.
Verdict: Aldi Brooklea Greek style yoghurt is a natural yoghurt with a simple, fresh taste at a great price.
Pros
simple, natural ingredients
lovely fresh taste
nice creaminess
incredible value
Cons
not as thick as some other similar yoghurt (but not runny either)
high in fat
no information on the live cultures present
no information on the actual amount of live cultures it contains (ie colony forming units)
no information on its calcium content
Read our full review of Aldi Brooklea Greek style yoghurt.
Our favourite gut health products in the UK
YourBiology Gut+ probiotic not only offers 10 strains of probiotics, but also includes two types of prebiotics, three digestive enzymes and vitamin D for gut health support. All this means it offers a lot more benefits for gut health and general health than most probiotic supplements do
Healthpath gut health test is the UK’s most comprehensive gut health test. It tests over 100 biomarkers, checks your digestion and immune response, analyses leaky gut and provides a clear and understandable report on your microbiome
YourBiology SuperGreens+ is a superfood and greens supplement which makes it very easy to get a huge amount of nutrition - vitamins, minerals, amino acids, fibre, polyphenols and more - in one glass. Great for supporting gut health, skin health, energy, mental clarity and immunity.
Read more about the best gut health products in the UK.
Other yoghurt in the UK
Yeo Valley natural yoghurt
Yeo Valley is a decent choice if you want to prioritise buying an organic yoghurt.
It only includes milk and live cultures.
In terms of lives cultures, Yeo Valley state they include Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium and Streptococcus thermophilus.
Of these:
Lactobacillus acidophilus is a probiotic which may support digestion and help maintain vaginal and intestinal health
Bifidobacterium refers to a genus of bacteria, not a specific species like the other live cultures listed. While it’s possible, or even likely, this/these cultures are probiotic, we don’t know for sure
Streptococcus thermophilus - a common starter culture for yogurt whose main role is to ferment milk sugars. It may assist lactose digestion, but it is not generally regarded as a probiotic
In terms of the amount of actual live cultures present (ie colony forming units), no information is provided.
Yeo Valley has low to moderate levels of fat (3.8%), moderate protein levels (4.2%), fairly high sugar levels for a natural yoghurt with no additives (4.9%) and good levels of calcium with 166mg per 100g.
Flavour
The texture is quite lacking and a bit runny. It doesn’t have a nice thickness which you find in Greek yoghurt.
The aroma is very clean - just of soured milk.
The taste is again is very clean and simply milky - there’s not much to speak about apart from it having a fairly high acidity. It has a decent creaminess for its fairly low fat levels, but it is not as creamy as a Greek yoghurt (which has a lot more fat).
Overall, the taste is fine and very natural but it won’t knock your socks off.
Cost and availability
We bought a 450g tub from Co-op for £2.35.
Summary
Rating: 3.75 stars out of 5.
Verdict: Yeo Valley natural yoghurt is an organic yoghurt with a simple taste and a high price tag.
Pros
simple, organic ingredients
fairly low in fat
good calcium levels
Cons
texture and creaminess are lacking compared to Greek yoghurt
fairly high in sugar for a yoghurt of this type (but still much lower than flavoured yoghurt)
more information on the strains of live cultures included would be helpful
no information on the actual amount of live cultures it contains (ie colony forming units)
value is questionable
Read our full review of Yeo Valley natural yoghurt.
Sainsbury's Greek style yoghurt
Sainsbury's Greek style yoghurt is another British-made, Greek-style yoghurt - but it can’t match the value provided by Lidl or Aldi.
It only includes milk and live cultures.
The label states that this yogurt contains the following live cultures:
Bifidobacterium – this is only the genus name and not the name of a specific species so we don’t know for sure which species are included. While some Bifidobacterium are probiotic, if no species name is given it’s likely the actual species is just a starter culture to make yoghurt rather than being probiotic
Lactobacillus bulgaricus (ie Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus) – mainly a starter culture, supports lactose digestion but not a species with robust probiotic evidence
Streptococcus thermophilus – primarily a starter culture, contributes to fermentation and lactose digestion but also has limited probiotic evidence
In terms of the amount of actual live cultures present (ie colony forming units), no information is provided.
This yoghurt has fairly high levels of fat (7.6%), moderate levels of protein (4%), moderate levels of sugar (4.2%) and good levels of calcium at 144mg per 100g.
Flavour
The texture is moderately thick and moderately creamy.
Its aroma is quite neutral with some subtle savoury cheese character.
The taste is a similar story - very milky neutral with even less savoury cheese character. And there’s just a little chalkiness to it also. The acidity is fairly high and a bit out of balance.
Overall, the taste is fine - just not much to speak of. It certainly comes across as clean and natural though.
Cost and availability
You can buy a 500g tub from Sainsbury’s for £1.45.
Summary
Rating: 3.75 stars out of 5.
Verdict: Sainsbury's Greek style yoghurt has a decent flavour, texture and creaminess but doesn’t provide the value of other similar yoghurt.
Pros
simple, natural ingredients
versatile
good levels of calcium
lower in fat than many competitors…
Cons
…but this fat level is still fairly high
not as good value as some other brands
more specific information on the live cultures included would be helpful
no information on the actual amount of live cultures it contains (ie colony forming units)
Read our full review of Sainsbury's Greek style yoghurt.
Tesco Greek style yoghurt
Tesco Greek style yoghurt, like Sainsbury’s Greek style, can’t match other brands in this category.
It only includes milk and live cultures.
Unfortunately it doesn’t give any information on the live cultures it contains or the amount of them.
This yoghurt has fairly high levels of fat (7.5%), moderate levels of protein (3.7%) and moderate levels of sugar (4.2%). Unfortunately they don’t state its calcium content.
Flavour
The texture is underwhelming in terms of both thickness and creaminess.
Its aroma is fairly neutral with a touch of cheddar cheese and chalkiness.
The taste is clean and mostly of savoury cheese. It has a moderate to high acidity which stands out a little too much.
Overall, the taste is itself is fine - but with the acidity a little out of balance. It’s the runny texture which mostly lets this yoghurt down.
Cost and availability
You can buy a 500g tub from Tesco for £1.10.
Summary
Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5.
Verdict: Tesco Greek style yoghurt is clean and decent tasting but with an underwhelming texture.
Pros
simple, natural ingredients
versatile
decent value (but not as good as other brands)
Cons
underwhelming texture
fairly high in fat (but lower than some similar yoghurt)
no information on the strains of live cultures included
no information on the actual amount of live cultures it contains (ie colony forming units)
no information on its calcium content
Read our full review of Tesco Greek style yoghurt.
Tesco Finest Greek yoghurt
Tesco Finest Greek yoghurt is a traditional, strained yoghurt made in Greece - but the taste is not as good as other brands.
It only includes milk and live cultures.
Unfortunately it doesn’t give any information on the live cultures it contains or the amount of them.
This yoghurt has high levels of fat (10.3%), good levels of protein (6.1%) and the sugar content is fairly low (3.3%). Unfortunately they don’t state its calcium content.
Flavour
The texture is very thick as you would expect from strained yoghurt. It is creamy, but not as creamy as I was expecting.
The aroma is mainly of savoury cheese, verging on cottage cheese.
The taste is interesting. It starts a bit chalky and then a rich savoury cheese taste takes over. The low sugar content seems to amplify the savoury characteristics and give it a dryness which is not common in yoghurt. And there’s a high acidity which seems out of balance to the dry, savoury taste. The aftertaste is a bit strange - chalky and too acidic.
Overall, the taste is quite unique but a bit out of balance.
Cost and availability
You can buy a 1kg tub from Tesco for £4.
Summary
Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5.
Verdict: Tesco Finest Greek yoghurt is an authentic, strained Greek yoghurt. It has an interesting savoury taste which won’t suit everyone and is not quite in balance.
Pros
simple, natural ingredients
authentically made in Greece
thick texture
good protein levels
Cons
the taste, while not bad, is out of balance
lacks the creaminess of other similar yoghurt
high in fat
no information on the strains of live cultures included
no information on the actual amount of live cultures it contains (ie colony forming units)
no information on its calcium content
Read our full review of Tesco Finest Greek yoghurt.
Health benefits of dairy yoghurt
Live cultures
These are the live microbes you ingest when you eat yoghurt. Some are considered probiotic which means they may bring health benefits when consumed in adequate amounts. The specific benefits depend on the exact strain included.
Postbiotics
Postbiotics are beneficial compounds produced by cultures during fermentation.
Common postbiotic compounds in yoghurt include:
Lactic acid – lowers pH, inhibits harmful microbes and helps with lactose digestion
Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) such as acetate – can support microbial balance, help regulate inflammation and indirectly nourish the gut lining by feeding butyrate-producing bacteria
Exopolysaccharides (EPS) – carbohydrate polymers that may support the gut barrier and immune balance
Bioactive peptides – fragments released from milk proteins; some show antihypertensive, antimicrobial or antioxidant effects in studies
Vitamins and minerals
Yoghurt provides several vitamins and minerals including:
Calcium – supports the normal function of digestive enzymes and helps maintain normal bones and teeth
Magnesium – supports normal muscle function and energy-yielding metabolism, and helps maintain normal bones
Phosphorus – supports energy-yielding metabolism and helps maintain normal bones and teeth
Potassium – supports normal muscle function, normal blood pressure and the normal functioning of the nervous system
Vitamins B2 (riboflavin) and B12 – support energy-yielding metabolism and the normal function of the immune and nervous systems
Vitamin A – supports normal vision, normal immune function, normal skin and cell differentiation
Satiety and weight management
Higher protein options like strained Greek yoghurt tend to increase fullness in the short term which can help with appetite control.
Reduced lactose
Compared with unfermented dairy such as milk, yoghurt contains less lactose because bacteria use some of it during fermentation. Also, live yoghurt cultures can help improve lactose digestion in people who have difficulty digesting lactose.
Factors we consider in our ratings
The factors we consider when doing a review (and the weightings of each of these) may vary depending on the product we are testing, but here are the key general factors we consider when we settle on a rating for a product.
Health benefits
We find out how the product will be good for your health and outline the benefits for you in simple language. This often involves doing research so you don’t have to. We often link to scientific studies or articles summarising scientific findings so you can dig deeper if you want to.
Things detrimental to health
We want to highlight where a product might include something bad for your health - even if it might be good for you in another way. This could include such things as pointing out certain additives it contains or high sugar levels.
How it’s made
This will vary depending on the product, but we want to see a quality process for making it and quality ingredients. For example, we want to see a kombucha traditionally fermented with lots of different microbial strains and we want to see a yoghurt made with fresh milk and not milk powders.
Price
While we expect quality products to be more expensive, they still have to be priced within reason. On the other side of things, a product which is priced very competitively will get a ratings boost based on the value it provides.
Flavour
For some products flavour won’t be a factor (eg probiotic tablets), but for others, like yoghurt or kimchi, flavour is a key aspect because these products are made to be enjoyed as well as being healthy! We will try to be as subjective as possible and describe the flavour in detail so you can get an idea of whether you would like it or not.
Our favourite gut health products in the UK
YourBiology Gut+ probiotic not only offers 10 strains of probiotics, but also includes two types of prebiotics, three digestive enzymes and vitamin D for gut health support. All this means it offers a lot more benefits for gut health and general health than most probiotic supplements do
Healthpath gut health test is the UK’s most comprehensive gut health test. It tests over 100 biomarkers, checks your digestion and immune response, analyses leaky gut and provides a clear and understandable report on your microbiome
YourBiology SuperGreens+ is a superfood and greens supplement which makes it very easy to get a huge amount of nutrition - vitamins, minerals, amino acids, fibre, polyphenols and more - in one glass. Great for supporting gut health, skin health, energy, mental clarity and immunity.
Read more about the best gut health products in the UK.
Your reviewer
This article was written by Travis, the founder of this website, long-time gut-health enthusiast, science nerd and passionate kombucha maker of over 10 years!
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