Yogurt, also spelled as yoghurt, is a dairy food created by fermenting bacteria that is present in milk, and it comes in many different varieties. Plain yogurt refers to yogurt that isn't flavored. Yogurt that is fruit-flavored typically has pieces of fruit mixed with it, such as blueberry, strawberry or banana. Many people enjoy frozen yogurt as a substitute for ice cream. Types of yogurt vary depending on where they are made.
Though all yogurt is nutritious, plain yogurt tends to be more rich in nutrients than its fruit-flavored counterpart. There is no sugar added to plain yogurt, and while it is less caloric than fruit-flavored yogurt, it is richer in calcium and contains nearly twice as much protein. Plain yogurt is usually made from cow's milk, but it can also be made from sheep's milk or goat's milk. Unflavored yogurt varies depending on whether the type of milk used in making it is whole, low fat, or nonfat.
Fruit-flavored yogurt is popular because of its taste, but its sugar content tends to be high. Because its consistency resembles custard, fruit-flavored yogurt is sometimes called custard-style yogurt. Yogurt flavored with fruit is also referred to as French-style or Swiss-style yogurt.
People who are lactose intolerant can still enjoy yogurt because of changes that occur during fermentation. The process of making yogurt actually creates an enzyme, lactase, which is needed by lactose-intolerant people in order to properly digest dairy products. This is why some people prefer frozen yogurt over ice cream. Frozen yogurt, however, contains roughly the same amount of fat and sugar as ice cream, and freezing the yogurt destroys the majority of the live bacteria that promote good health.
Yogurt is made and enjoyed all over the world. European-style yogurt is particularly creamy and smooth because it is made in big vats where the curds can be stirred well. Greek yogurt, which is strained three times while it is being made, resembles sour cream in its smoothness and thick consistency.
Skyr, or Icelandic yogurt, isn't actually yogurt at all but an extremely soft, nonfat cheese. Dahi is yogurt from India that comes in sweet and sour varieties and is frequently eaten as a dessert or as an appetizer. Raita is a sauce for dipping that is made from dahi. Zabadi is a type of yogurt from the Middle East that is popular in drinks. The fat content of Rahmjoghurt, a creamy German yogurt, tends to be around 10% higher than that of other yogurts made and sold in Western countries.
