In recent years, the world has become significantly more health-focused, with consumers now actively seeking healthy, fat free and protein rich snacks as an alternative to the occasional bag of crisps or chocolate bar. One such product that has captured the imagination of the modern, urban and socially conscious consumer comes from the land of ice and fire itself, Skyr. But what is Skyr, and why has it become the attractive, tasty superfood that so many people love today? Here, Managing Director of Ísey Skyr Bar, Sigríður Steinunn Jónsdóttir, discusses the innovative, protein rich snack food and why it has taken the world by storm.
For centuries, Skyr was the cornerstone of the Icelandic diet, which allowed Nordic settlers to not only survive, but thrive in harsh weather conditions. Over time, the recipe for Skyr was forgotten in other Scandinavian countries, but thanks to Icelandic mothers passing the recipe on to their daughters, real Icelandic Skyr is still made using the original methods that date back 1,100 years.
But this growing demand for Skyr is not purely down to consumers pursuing the aesthetic value of the product! As the diary snack continues to boom worldwide, Skyr offers a wide range of health benefits that are encouraging more and more people to move away from traditional Greek yogurt and other artificially flavoured and produced dairy snacks. Skyr contains an incredible range of essential amino acids that are absorbed quickly when consumed. Because of this, authentic Skyr can be enjoyed as a high-protein breakfast, healthy dessert, or sweet snack between meals.
Increasingly, those following strictly regimented diets for fitness, health and wellbeing are substituting meals with Skyr for a low-calorie but equally beneficial food product. In fact, Ísey Skyr in particular is praised for being the healthiest Skyr option. It is made with live bacteria cultures and natural proteins called Whey and Casein. that are absorbed quickly when consumed, and while most Skyr brands extract it once it has been produced, Ísey Skyr keeps Whey protein, meaning consumers enjoy the authentic and natural taste.
Skyr is becoming difficult to ignore for the on-the-go, modern, socially conscious consumer, with beneficial bacteria that are a key element to gut health defining what makes the dairy product so attractive today. And with its high calcium, b12 and iodine content, Skyr is an essential product for healthy bones, the nervous system and thyroid health. As well as this, there is evidence to support these live cultures and bacteria lifts emotions and moods. With the gut producing serotonin while being directly linked to the nervous system, the probiotics within Skyr positively contribute to mental wellbeing.
Built on the foundation of paying homage to 1,100 years of heritage, the super-healthy, protein-rich snack is not only nutritious and delicious but offers something for everyone. And thanks to this rarely seen versatility that is becoming more and more important to the modern consumer, Skyr has helped reform the go-to snack-food for consumers today. For the iconic, delicious and healthy Icelandic dairy snack, the Skyr truly is the limit.
