Live natural yoghurt is the bedrock of my family’s diet. My six-year-old, for instance, gets through well over a kilo a week: for breakfast, she’ll have it with porridge, sometimes with blackstrap molasses, while most evenings she’ll have a generous bowl of yoghurt topped with frozen blueberries or mango before bed (ideally before teeth-brushing negotiations begin). To avoid excessive sugar and more processed ingredients, we never buy sweetened or flavoured yoghurt: just the plain, full-fat stuff that’s packed with beneficial bacteria.
So what is live yoghurt, and why does it matter? Live yoghurt contains active bacterial cultures, most commonly strains of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and Streptococcus thermophilus. These cultures help ferment the milk, which is what gives live yoghurt its tang, texture and digestibility, and they’re one of the reasons it’s linked to gut health.
Clear provenance is sadly lacking in this test group, and while most of them are made from British milk, that counts little towards transparency. When I can, I choose organic as a mark of quality and because it tells a clearer story about farming, welfare and standards.
The best supermarket live yoghurt
Table of Contents
- 1. The best supermarket live yoghurt
- 2. Best overall:Yeo Valley Organic whole milk natural yoghurt
- 3. Best bargain:Morrisons natural yoghurt
- 4. And the rest …
- 5. Duchy Organic natural Greek-style yoghurt
- 6. Onken set natural yoghurt
- 7. St Helen’s Farm goat’s milk natural yoghurt
- 8. Pakeeza live set natural yogurt
- 9. Asda natural yogurt
- 10. Tesco natural yoghurt
- 11. What are the best natural yoghurts for a thick, creamy, and clean-tasting experience?
- 12. ‘Wonderfully thick, creamy and clean-tasting’: The Best supermarket Natural Yoghurts, Tasted and Rated
- 13. Understanding Natural Yoghurt: What to Look For
- 14. The Taste Test: Our Top Picks (January 2026)
- 15. Beyond Breakfast: Versatile uses for Natural Yoghurt
- 16. The Gut Health Connection: Probiotics in Yoghurt
Best overall:
Yeo Valley Organic whole milk natural yoghurt
★★★★☆
Creamy yet loose-textured and beautifully pourable. Sweet-forward with a balanced acidity. Made with organic British milk and live cultures. Silky on the tongue and, for an organic option, excellent value too.
Best bargain:
Morrisons natural yoghurt
★★★☆☆
Thick, creamy and with a well-balanced, sweet-forward flavour and gentle underlying acidity. Made with British milk and live cultures. A good-value and dependable everyday option.
And the rest …
Duchy Organic natural Greek-style yoghurt
★★★★☆
Very rich, thick and creamy, with an indulgent mouthfeel. Sweet on the tongue with a fresh, lively acidity. Made with organic British milk and well worth the price.
Onken set natural yoghurt
★★★★☆
Set in the pot and reminiscent of fromage frais, this is thick, creamy and clean-tasting, with less sharp acidity than many of the others here. Particularly versatile, too. Fortified with vitamin D and contains live bacterial cultures.
St Helen’s Farm goat’s milk natural yoghurt
Goat’s milk can be easier to digest than cow’s milk for some, making this very thick, extra-creamy yoghurt with a pronounced sour twang a useful alternative. Deeply satisfying, indulgent and genuinely delicious. Three-star Great Taste Award winner, too.
Pakeeza live set natural yogurt
★★★☆☆
A very thick, clean set yoghurt with proper body and structure, and complex sour notes balanced by a subtle sweetness. Made with British milk and set in the pot with live cultures.
Asda natural yogurt
★★☆☆☆
Light and clean, with a smooth, thick consistency, a classic sour edge and an underlying sweetness. The country of origin is the UK, and it contains live bacterial cultures. Simple, reliable and undeniably good value.
Tesco natural yoghurt
★★☆☆☆
Smooth and mild with a relatively neutral flavour and a looser consistency than most. Made with British milk. Very good value.
What are the best natural yoghurts for a thick, creamy, and clean-tasting experience?
‘Wonderfully thick, creamy and clean-tasting’: The Best supermarket Natural Yoghurts, Tasted and Rated
Finding the perfect natural yoghurt can elevate your breakfast, snacks, and even cooking. But with so many options lining supermarket shelves,how do you choose? We’ve put a range of widely available natural yoghurts to the test,focusing on texture,taste,and overall quality. This guide will help you navigate the world of natural yoghurt and find your new favorite. we’re looking for that ideal balance – a satisfyingly thick consistency, a clean, slightly tangy flavor, and a product that feels genuinely wholesome.
Understanding Natural Yoghurt: What to Look For
Before diving into the ratings,let’s clarify what constitutes a ‘natural’ yoghurt. Generally, it means the yoghurt contains only milk and live cultures – no added sugar, flavourings, or stabilisers.
* Live Cultures: These beneficial bacteria are crucial. They contribute to the yoghurt’s tangy flavour and offer probiotic benefits for gut health.Look for yoghurts explicitly stating they contain live and active cultures.
* Fat Content: natural yoghurt comes in various fat levels – 0%, low-fat, and full-fat. Fat content impacts the texture and richness. Full-fat yoghurts tend to be creamier,while lower-fat options can be thinner.
* protein Content: A good source of protein, natural yoghurt keeps you feeling fuller for longer. Check the nutritional information for protein levels per serving.
* Ingredients List: Keep it simple! The shorter the ingredients list, the better. Milk and live cultures should be the primary components.
The Taste Test: Our Top Picks (January 2026)
We evaluated yoghurts from major UK supermarkets – Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Morrisons, Waitrose, and Aldi – focusing on their own-brand natural yoghurts. All yoghurts were tasted plain, to assess their inherent flavour and texture. Ratings are based on a scale of 1-5, with 5 being exceptional.
1. Waitrose Organic Natural Yoghurt (5/5)
This consistently ranks highly. The texture is remarkably thick and creamy, almost like Greek yoghurt, despite not being labelled as such. The flavour is clean and tangy, with a subtle sweetness from the milk quality. It’s a full-fat option, which contributes to its luxurious mouthfeel. Excellent for breakfast bowls, smoothies, or using in baking.
2. Aldi Specially Selected Natural Yoghurt (4.5/5)
A fantastic value option that punches above its weight. Aldi’s offering is surprisingly thick and has a pleasant, slightly tart flavour. While not quite as creamy as the Waitrose version, it’s a very close second and a brilliant everyday choice. Available in full-fat and low-fat varieties.
3. Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Natural Yoghurt (4/5)
sainsbury’s delivers a reliably good natural yoghurt. The texture is smooth and creamy, though a little thinner than Waitrose or Aldi. The flavour is clean and refreshing, making it a versatile option for various uses. It’s a good all-rounder.
4. Tesco Finest Natural Yoghurt (3.5/5)
Tesco’s Finest range generally offers good quality, and their natural yoghurt is no exception. it’s a decent texture, leaning towards slightly thinner, and a mild flavour. It’s perfectly acceptable, but doesn’t stand out as especially exceptional.
5. Asda Extra Special Natural Yoghurt (3/5)
Asda’s offering is a bit more watery in consistency compared to the others. The flavour is mild and slightly bland. It’s functional, but lacks the richness and tanginess of the top contenders.
6. Morrisons The Best Natural Yoghurt (2.5/5)
unfortunately, Morrisons’ natural yoghurt fell short in our taste test. It was noticeably thin and lacked flavour. While still usable, it wasn’t a particularly enjoyable experience.
Beyond Breakfast: Versatile uses for Natural Yoghurt
Natural yoghurt isn’t just for breakfast! Its versatility extends to both sweet and savoury dishes.
* Smoothies: Add a spoonful to your smoothies for extra creaminess and a protein boost.
* Marinades: The lactic acid in yoghurt tenderises meat beautifully. Use it as a base for marinades for chicken, lamb, or fish.
* Sauces: Create creamy sauces for pasta or vegetables by stirring in yoghurt.
* Baking: substitute yoghurt for sour cream or buttermilk in cakes and muffins for a moist and tender crumb.
* Dips: Combine yoghurt with herbs, spices, and lemon juice for a refreshing dip.
* Hair Mask: Believe it or not, natural yoghurt can be used as a nourishing hair mask! Apply to damp hair, leave for 20 minutes, and rinse thoroughly.
The Gut Health Connection: Probiotics in Yoghurt
The live cultures in natural yoghurt are probiotics – beneficial bacteria that support a healthy gut microbiome. A healthy gut is linked to improved digestion, a stronger immune system, and even better mental health.
* Different Strains: Different yoghurts contain different strains of probiotics. While research is ongoing, some strains are associated with specific health benefits.
* Regular Consumption: To reap the probiotic benefits, regular consumption is key
