9 things to know about Skyr the Icelandic secret

Iceland is a land of secrets. Besides all the majestic glaciers, breathtaking landscapes and the elusive Northern lights, they have a secret ingredient that fuelled the Vikings but has not shared with the world? They have now. It is known as Skyr, a traditional Icelandic product. Here are 11 things you need to know about Skyr and why you should eat it.

Update August 2017: The new name for the original Icelandic Skyr is Isey Skyr, launched in the middle of Icelandic forest. 

This is the one to look for on the shelves of Waitrose. 

What is Isey Skyr?

Skyr is a fat free dairy product made with a culture that is about 1000 years old.

2. What does Isey Skyr taste like?

It tastes a bit like yoghurt but a bit firmer, closer to a soft cheese.

3. How is Skyr made?

It has traditionally been made by housewives as a way of preserving milk in the days pre refrigeration and they still use the same process today. They use skimmed milk which is fermented with curd made with a culture that has been used for centuries.

4. Is Skyr good for weight loss?

The Prime Minister of Iceland said that he was eating Skyr to lose weight as it was low fat and high protein. It is also the secret food of the Vikings that help them withstand the harsh environment that they live in. It is what made them big and strong and made the Icelandic women beautiful!

5. How healthy is Skyr?

Skyr is virtually fat free and calcium rich. Each tub of Skyr has more protein compared to the equivalent size tub of yoghurt. This will be great for anyone following a low carb diet or on the paleo diet and need an easy way to add more protein to their daily nutrition. Each 170g tub of Skyr has 19g of protein and only 61 calories.

6. How is Skyr different from Yoghurt?

It is a bit thicker than yoghurt but tastes similar. It can be eaten out of the tub or can be used to substitute in recipes that use yoghurt.

7. Who makes original Icelandic Skyr?

The Skyr sold in the UK is made by a dairy cooperative that works with a group of farms that still use traditional farming methods where the cows are grass fed.

8. Which chefs like Skyr? Aggi  Sverrison, Michelin starred chef of Texture Restaurant is a big fan of Skyr and he made the canapes for the launch event. When he put this on the menu, it totally baffled London diners as people have never heard of it. Some of the canapes were smoked salmon with Skyr and my favourite was the Skyr crumble cheesecake dessert.

Aggi  Sverrison, Michelin starred chef of Texture Restaurant is a big fan of Skyr and he made the canapes for the launch event. When he put this on the menu, it totally baffled London diners as people have never heard of it. Some of the canapes were smoked salmon with Skyr and my favourite was the Skyr crumble cheesecake dessert.

9. Where to buy Skyr in the London and the UK?

The original Icelandic Isey Skyr is now available at your local Waitrose and Costco.

Here is a serving suggestion for Skyr, towith iwth berries and cream.

If you have any more questions about Skyr, do ask them below.

EatCookExplore was a guest of the Ambassador of Iceland at the Skyr launch in London.