Conor Pope reviews natural yoghurt

Old MacDonnells Farm Natural Yoghurt €0.89 for 250g, 3.56 per kg

Highs: "Independent tests" have "scientifically proven" that there is no other yoghurt offering as many live probiotic bacteria per gram as Old MacDonnell's, the pleasingly black and white, utilitarian pot tells us. No more details are given about the tests but we will accept them on face value. However, we were able to establish, through independent tastes, that Old MacDonnell's has a sharp kick to it, is low fat and tastes good for you. It's strong, so a small amount will be sufficient.

Lows: It has a surprisingly cottage-cheesy texture when opened and needs a good stir before developing a yoghurty consistency - even then, it lacked the creaminess of its rivals. Its earthy nature might be too much for some.

Verdict: A little tart

Star rating: ***

Yoplait Natural Yoghurt 0.59 for 125g, €4.72 per kg

Highs: While there is no sugar listed among the ingredients, when compared with the rest of the yoghurts tried, this tastes incredibly sweet and it is hard to believe it and the yoghurt from Old MacDonnell's farm are the same class of product. The tubs are small and will prove handy for a lunchbox. It's nice and creamy and is just the kind of yoghurt you'd get through while watching the TV rather than something you'd serve with a curry.

Lows: Although if you're going to just spoon it into yourself, you'd be better off with a Yoplait Fruit of the Forest which tastes far nicer, by PriceWatch's reckoning. It seems to be a little pricey for such a mass-produced product although if bought in bigger tubs the price does fall considerably.

Verdict: Creamy but not so cheap

Star rating: **

Yeo Valley Organic Natural Yoghurt 1.65 for 500g, €3.30 per kg

Highs: This is beautifully creamy and has a nice sharp bite without making your eyes water. It will go well with both sweet and savoury foods. It has the requisite amount of live bacteria to be good for the gut and has the added advantage of being made with organic milk which is high in Omega 3 and consequently good for the brain too. Yeo has become Britain's most popular organic dairy brand, the label says, and its cows "enjoy a relaxed life" on a farm with luscious clover and beautiful rolling hills, bless them.

Lows: Reading all the earnest bumf on the packaging - including a picture of those rolling hills - we started to feel jealous of these Yeo cows with nothing more pressing on their minds than which piece of top-class clover to chew on next.

Verdict: Versatile yoghurt with a bite

Star rating: *****

Dunnes Stores Natural Yoghurt 0.99 for 500g, €1.98 per kg

Highs: Made with skimmed milk, this is very low in fat and pretty low in calories. It is also low cost too and is by some margin the cheapest of the yoghurts tried. It is nice and tart and despite the presence of skimmed milk in the mix retains a good level of creaminess. It is a no-nonsense option which doesn't bother overselling its wholesomeness.

Lows: While all the other yoghurts tried have a nice creamy colour, this looks a little washed out and almost unnaturally white. It might also veer too close to the bland for some tastes, although that might also lend it increased adaptability and appeal.

Verdict: To be commended and recommended

Star rating: ****

Glenisk Organic Natural Yoghurt 1.09 for 250g, €4.36 per kg

Highs: This is the only brand which uses a cardboard tub, so straight out of the traps it shows itself to be slightly more eco-aware than the competition, which, given all the wholesomeness going on, is saying something. It has a lovely rich, creamy colour and a beautifully thick texture. It is widely available and utterly reliable and is more likely to appeal to all tastes than some of its rivals.

Lows: It is pricey and while the use of a cardboard tub is to be commended, it does make it just a tiny bit less sturdy than some of the other brands and increases the danger of you spilling it when opening. While it tastes nice and fresh, it doesn't really stand out and lacks some of the sharpness you might expect in a really good natural yoghurt.

Verdict: Easy to get and to eat

Star rating: ***

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