Jalna biodynamic organic yoghurt review
Here we will give a hands-on, taste-tested review of Jalna biodynamic organic yoghurt. We’ll look into the benefits, ingredients, nutrition and flavour of this very clean pot-set yoghurt.
This yoghurt is widely available in Woolworths and Coles supermarkets in Australia, as well as other food stores.
We have also reviewed other similar Jalna yoghurts such as their regular Jalna Greek style yoghurt and their premium Jalna Greek Plus.
What does ‘biodynamic’ mean?
In very simple terms, ‘biodynamic’ is about taking ‘organic’ to the next level.
Biodynamic farming is a holistic approach that views a farm as a self-sustaining ecosystem. This practice emphasises soil health, biodiversity and natural composting. It avoids synthetic chemicals and integrates livestock, cover crops and crop rotations to maintain balance and fertility.
This yoghurt is certified as biodynamic and organic, and is free from growth hormones, pesticides and herbicides.
What is ‘pot set’ yoghurt?
Pot set yogurt is cultured (ie fermented) and set directly in the container it will be sold in. Other yoghurts which aren’t pot set are cultured in a larger vat and then stirred to create a more smooth texture.
In general, pot set yoghurts tend to be less homogenous and less creamy. They also have a more irregular texture and it can feel like the yoghurt is made up of lots of small lumps.
So you could say that pot set yoghurts are more traditional, however I think the texture is often not as good as other yoghurts.
Ingredients of Jalna biodynamic organic yoghurt
This is a very simple and clean yoghurt with only milk, milk solids and probiotic cultures.
It doesn’t contain any additives like thickeners, sweeteners or flavourings.
Benefits of Jalna biodynamic organic yoghurt
This yoghurt has various health benefits, especially related to its probiotics.
For context, we’ll compare a few key factors against Tamar Valley Greek style yoghurt and Jalna’s regular Greek style yoghurt - which are both similar, high-quality yoghurts, although not organic.
Live cultures
Jalna biodynamic organic yoghurt contains three strains of live cultures - Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium lactis, Lactobacillus casei. And each of these strains are consider probiotic which means they bring health benefits to us.
For comparison, Jalna Greek style contains the same three strains and Tamar Valley doesn’t give any information on this.
In terms of the amount of actual live cultures present (ie colony forming units), Jalna biodynamic organic yoghurt has more than 1 billion CFU per 100g. This number refers to all of the strains combined.
Again this is the same as Jalna Greek style and Tamar Valley gives no information.
Read more about the benefits of probiotic foods.
Postbiotics
Postbiotics are essentially things probiotics produce during fermentation. These include healthy short-chain fatty acids which nourish our gut lining and may help reduce symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.
Other health measures
Fat: This yoghurt has moderate fat levels at 5.3%. Whereas Jalna Greek style has 9.5% and Tamar Valley has 9.6%.
Protein: Its protein content is fairly good at 5% - which is the same as Tamar Valley and significantly more than Jalna Greek style (3.3%).
Calcium: Its calcium content is also good at 162mg per 100g - which is far above Jalna Greek style (107mg) and also above Tamar Valley (148mg).
Appearance
As the picture below shows, it maintains an irregular shape in the bowl and has the ice-cream-like appearance of other Jalna yoghurts.
Texture
The texture is nice and thick. But like some other pot-set yoghurt, it lacks an even consistency which means it isn’t as creamy as others in my opinion.
Flavour
Similar to Jalna Greek Plus, it has a nice savoury cheese aroma along with the expected soured milk notes.
The yoghurt has a pleasant savoury cheese taste also. And it has a fairly strong acidity, but not quite as strong as Tamar Valley.
Overall, the taste is good and it is impressively satisfying for a yoghurt with a lot less fat than some competitors.
Use
This yoghurt could be used in any application - on its own, with fruit, on cereal, in a smoothie or in marinades. Given its strong acidity, it would also be good in dressings.
Cost of Jalna biodynamic organic yoghurt
You can buy a 1kg tub from Coles or Woolworths for $8.80. This makes it a little more expensive than others, but I would say that this premium for something biodynamic is reasonable.
Summary
4.5 stars out of 5.
A great choice for those wanting an ultra clean and natural yoghurt.
Pros
organic and biodynamic
3 strains of probiotics
much lower fat than some other high-quality yoghurts
high levels of calcium
good levels of protein
nice taste but…
Cons
the texture is not as creamy as others
premium price
Health benefits of yoghurt
Aside from the specific benefits listed above, especially related to probiotics and postbiotics, yoghurt has some other important health benefits.
Vitamins and minerals
Yoghurt is a source of various vitamins and minerals including:
calcium - which helps digestion and supports bone and teeth health
magnesium - which supports bone health, muscle function and energy production
phosphorus - which is important for bone and teeth health and energy metabolism
potassium - which supports heart, muscle, nerve and kidney health
vitamins B2 and B12 - which support immunity, energy production and cell and nerve function
vitamin A - supports vision, immune function, cell growth and healthy skin
Satiety and weight management
The high protein and low carbohydrate content in yogurt, especially Greek style yogurt, helps you feel fuller for longer which can help control your appetite. Greek yoghurt is often recommended by dietitians for this reason.
Reduced lactose
Compared to unfermented dairy products such as milk, yoghurt has lower levels of lactose as this is partially consumed by bacteria during the fermentation process. This makes it more digestible for people who have some degree of lactose intolerance.
Your reviewer
This article was reviewed by Travis, the founder of this website, long-time gut enthusiast and passionate kombucha maker!
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