Quark arrives in Australia

Described as a fresh dairy product made with a blend of cheese and yoghurt cultures, quark is a diet staple in Sweden and other parts of Europe and has been making its mark in the US.

Australia’s first quark yoghurt has now been launched in Woolworths Supermarkets. Rokeby Farms Quark Yoghurt is naturally high in protein and calcium, and low in fat and sugar.

The quark’s producer, MADE (whose brands include Cocobella coconut water), says the product is made the authentic Swedish way, by culturing fresh milk at a lower temperature for longer to create a quark yoghurt that is naturally rich in protein and mild in flavour. Using a cold filtration process increases the natural protein by three times, giving the yoghurt a thick, creamy texture at only 1% fat.

Each 170 g tub of the quark yoghurt contains up to one-third of daily protein needs and over half the RDI of calcium. It will be marketed to segments including active adults, sportspeople, children, growing teenagers and the elderly.

MADE co-founder Luke Marget said: “The texture is smooth but thick — thicker than Greek yoghurt, in fact — but with a milder taste. This makes it great on its own or with cereal for breakfast, spreading in sandwiches as a nutritious replacement to cheese or a healthy substitute for cream or cream cheese in cooking.”

Rokeby Farms Quark Yoghurt is available in four varieties: Natural, Vanilla, Strawberry and Coconut.