What’s the Difference?

🔍 WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?
🥛 Bulgarian Yogurt
Strained · Clean · Gently tangy
Strained Bulgarian Yogurt is made using traditional yogurt cultures — Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus — then gently strained to achieve a thick, creamy texture while preserving a clean, rounded tang.
Compared to Greek Yogurt, Bulgarian Yogurt is softer and less acidic on the palate, with a balanced cultured flavour that makes it especially easy to enjoy daily. Straining concentrates texture and reduces excess lactose without overpowering the natural character of the yogurt.
Often regarded as the original style of yogurt, Bulgarian Yogurt is valued for its simplicity, cultured depth, and approachability.
🥄 Greek Yogurt
Strained · Thick · More tangy
Strained Greek Yogurt begins with the same traditional yogurt cultures but is strained further to remove more whey. This additional straining results in a denser, more spoonable texture and a sharper, more pronounced tang.
Greek Yogurt is noticeably more acidic than Bulgarian Yogurt, with a bold cultured profile and higher protein concentration. The heavier body and concentrated flavour make it ideal for those who enjoy a robust yogurt or use it in cooking and savoury dishes.
🧫 Kefir
Multi-cultured · Lively · Lightly effervescent
Strained Kefir is made by fermenting milk with kefir grains, which contain a diverse community of bacteria and yeasts. After fermentation, it is gently strained to create a thick, spoonable texture while retaining kefir’s naturally lively character.
Compared to yogurt, kefir has a broader cultured profile, subtle natural effervescence, and layered acidity. It sits between yogurt and fresh curd in texture, making it versatile for eating by the spoon, layering into bowls, or using in both sweet and savoury applications.
🔍 In Short
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Bulgarian Yogurt → thick, clean, gently tangy
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Greek Yogurt → thick, creamy, more tangy
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Kefir → thick, lively, multi-cultured
All three are made with the same foundation — fresh milk, live cultures, and time. The difference lies in how fermentation and straining are balanced, not in added ingredients.
📊 COMPARISON TABLE
| Bulgarian Yogurt | Greek Yogurt | Kefir | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cultures | L. bulgaricus & S. thermophilus | Same yogurt cultures | Kefir grains (bacteria + yeasts) |
| Straining | Strained | Strained | Strained |
| Texture | Thick, creamy, smooth | Very thick, dense, spoonable | Thick, softly set, spoonable |
| Tang / Acidity | Gently tangy | More tangy, sharper acidity | Lively, layered, lightly effervescent |
| Protein (per 100 g) | ~6.5–8.5 g | ~8–9 g | ~6.5–7.5 g |
| Cultured Complexity | Focused, classic | Focused, concentrated | Broad, multi-cultured |
| Lactose | Reduced | Further reduced | Naturally reduced |
| Best For | Everyday eating, balance | High-protein meals, bowls, cooking | Bowls, fermentation lovers |