What is skyr?

da_bear

Skyr is an Icelandic cultured dairy product, similar to strained yogurt. Technically it is a very soft cheese. It is unique to Icelandic cuisine and is said to have originally come from Norway, brought to Iceland by the Vikings. It is traditionally served cold with a topping of sugar and cream.[1] Traditionally, skyr is made with raw milk, however modern skyr is made with pasteurized skim milk. A small portion of skyr is added to the warm milk, to introduce the right bacteria, such as Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus. Rennet is added as well, and the milk is left to coagulate. The skyr is then strained through fabric to remove the whey (mysa in Icelandic) and the milk solids retained. Skyr, in its traditional preparation, has a slightly sour dairy flavor, with a hint of residual sweetness. Commercial Icelandic manufacturers of skyr have added flavors such as vanilla, berries, etc. common to yogurt to the final product, to increase its appeal. Skyr-based smoothies have become very popular. Skyr is a very popular health product in Iceland and can also be purchased in parts of the US, UK, and Scandinavia at specialty markets. Varying slightly between brands, unflavored skyr is roughly 12% protein, 3% carbohydrate, and 0.5% fat. It is high in calcium and vitamins commonly found in milk products. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skyr Sep 13 09, 4:26 PM