Why France is Obsessed with Yogurt
The French love yogurt (called yaourt in French). It’s one of the top yogurt-consuming countries in the world. An average French person eats about 55 pounds of it per year! As a yogurt lover myself, I was in awe of the giant aisle of yogurt on my first visit to a supermarché (supermarket). In this post, we’ll explore why yogurt is so popular in France, the different types of yogurts and similar dairy products you’ll find here, and the key differences between yogurt and creamy fresh cheese (including where fromage blanc fits in).
Why Yogurt Is a Staple in French Daily Life
French families often end lunch or dinner with yogurt. It’s not considered a “diet food” but a normal, everyday part of eating. Kids grow up eating yogurt after school, adults eat it after meals, and some restaurants offer it as a breakfast or even light dessert option.
France has long embraced the idea that fermented dairy supports digestion. In fact, famous French brands originally marketed yogurt as a digestive aid. This connection still influences eating habits today.
And finally, the incredible variety of the yogurt aisle makes it hard to resist. It offers an impressive selection of styles, textures, flavors, and fat levels.. From ultra-creamy yogurts to tangy yaourt nature, to sweetened fruit yogurts and drinkable versions, the choices are almost intimidating. I’ll break it down for you.
Types of Yogurt You’ll Find in France
Yaourt Nature (Plain Yogurt)
This is the most classic form—simple, tangy, and versatile. It comes in whole milk (entier), semi-skimmed (demi-écrémé), and skim (0%) versions. Many French people prefer it unsweetened and add honey, sugar, or jam at home.
Yaourt Brassé
This “stirred yogurt” is smoother and creamier than standard yogurt. The texture is similar to American-style yogurt.
Yaourt à la Grecque (Greek Yogurt)
French Greek yogurt is thick, rich, and sometimes higher in fat. It’s popular for breakfast or cooking due to its sturdier texture. It’s a yogurt product that has been strained to have a thicker consistency.
Yaourt au Lait de Brebis ou Chèvre (Sheep or Goat Milk Yogurt)
France produces exceptional sheep and goat dairy, especially in the south. These yogurts taste mildly tangy, earthy, and more complex than cow’s milk versions.
Petits Pots en Verre (Glass Jar Yogurts)
A very French tradition. Small glass jars hold luxuriously creamy yogurt, often flavored with vanilla, lemon, or fruit compote. These feel artisanal even when mass-produced.
Dessert-Style “Yogurts”
While not technically yogurt, the aisle also includes crème brûlée, chocolate, and vanilla mousse desserts, panna cotta, rice puddings, and similar dairy products. These blur the line between yogurt and dessert—but the French adore them.
Fromage Blanc: Yogurt’s Cousin
What Is Fromage Blanc?
Fromage blanc literally means “white cheese,” but its texture is more like a very creamy yogurt or thick Greek yogurt. It can be skim for a light option and up to 40% fat for a rich, almost dessert-like cream. You’ll often see it eaten with fresh berries, honey or jam, granola, or even with savory toppings like herbs and olive oil.
How It Differs From Yogurt
Yogurt is purely a fermented milk product, created by heating milk and adding certain bacterial cultures. These cultures thicken the milk and give yogurt its signature tang. Fromage blanc, on the other hand, is technically a fresh cheese. It’s made by adding cultures and a small amount of rennet, which gently coagulates the milk into curds. The mixture is then drained to remove whey, creating a texture that’s creamier, milder, and less tangy than yogurt. If yogurt and cream cheese had a French baby, it would be fromage blanc.
Other French Dairy Products Yogurt Lovers Should Know
Petit-Suisse
A tiny, ultra-creamy fresh cheese often served to children (but beloved by adults!). It’s thicker than fromage blanc and mildly sweet.
Faisselle
A delicate, fresh cheese sold in a perforated basket to drain excess whey. It’s refreshing and slightly tangy—somewhere between yogurt and cottage cheese.
Skyr
Originally Icelandic, skyr has become popular in France as a high-protein, low-fat alternative to Greek yogurt.
Why French Yogurt Just Tastes Better
Visitors often say French yogurt feels richer, smoother, and more flavorful. French regulations forbid adding stabilizers or artificial thickeners to anything labeled yaourt. What you get is real milk, real cultures, real texture… jusst true creamy goodness on your spoon.
