What the Heck Is Quark—and What Does It Taste Like? (2024)

Corey Williams

Quark is a hard food to pin down: Is it cheese or yogurt? Is it healthy or is it bad for you?

The answers may not be what you think:

What Is Quark?

Quark is a dairy product made by warming soured milk until it curdles, then straining it. The finished product is firm, creamy, and looks a lot like cottage cheese.

Quark is somewhat similar to the French fromage blanc, a soft white cheese made from milk and cream.

The mild and creamy spread, a staple in German kitchens, is used to make both sweet and savory dishes.

Käsekuchen (a type of cheesecake) relies on the ingredient for its signature creamy texture, while it’s often mixed with chopped onions, parsley, and chives to make Kräuterquark.

Is Quark Cheese or Yogurt?

Quark is technically a soft cheese.

However, its taste and texture are more like a thick yogurt than anything else. Similarly, its fat and protein content (relatively low in fat and high in protein) is more comparable to yogurt than cheese.

Is Quark Healthy?

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Like many things, quark is healthy—but only when it’s consumed in moderation and is part of a balanced diet that is rich in a wide variety of foods.

Quark’s fat content ranges from 1% to 40%, but it’s always extremely high in protein. In fact, it usually contains even more protein than Greek yogurt.

It’s also high in calcium, vitamin A, and vitamin B, while it contains less sodium than cottage cheese.

What Does Quark Taste Like?

So what does quark taste like? Mild, mild, mild.

It has a very inoffensive taste—not sweet or sour—and is notably smooth and creamy. Its subtlety makes it an incredibly versatile ingredient in a wide variety of cuisines.

How to Use Quark

There are plenty of ways to use quark in your everyday life:

  • Spread it on toast or a bagel.

  • Use it as a yogurt substitute—mix it with granola or eat it alone for breakfast.

  • Use it as a filling in crepes or ravioli.

  • Make a traditional German recipe, like Käsekuchen or Kräuterquark.

What the Heck Is Quark—and What Does It Taste Like? (2024)

FAQs

What the Heck Is Quark—and What Does It Taste Like? ›

Quark tastes like a mild, fresh cheese and has a smooth, creamy texture. Its flavor and richness also vary, depending on the source of the milk and its fat content, which Gutenbrunner says ranges from 10 to 40 percent.

What is quark called in the USA? ›

Quark is a soured milk, fresh, unaged cheese product which is gaining popularity in the U.S. because of its versatility. You also will hear it called dry curd cheese, farmer's cheese and sometimes pot cheese.

What is the American equivalent of quark? ›

So what are the best quark substitutes? Cream cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, ricotta cheese, Greek yogurt culture, mascarpone cheese, and crème fraîche are all good alternatives to quark cheese, though you really owe it to yourself to try making this fantastic cheese yourself to find its own unique cheese voice!

Is quark bad for you? ›

Like most cheeses, Quark is high in protein and contains minerals, including calcium, which is important for bones and teeth. Unlike most other cream cheeses, it's virtually fat-free and has no added salt – so you can enjoy this one with a clear conscience.

What does quark taste like compared to cottage cheese? ›

Plain quark tastes like a cross between Greek yoghurt and cottage cheese. No real surprise given its texture and nutrient profile. High-fat varieties are very creamy and smooth, making them easy to enjoy on their own. Low-fat varieties on the other hand are very thick and firm, more like a spread.

What is the English version of quark? ›

Quark is traditional in the cuisines of Baltic, Germanic and Slavic-speaking countries as well as amongst Ashkenazi Jews and various Turkic peoples. Dictionaries sometimes translate it as curd cheese, cottage cheese, farmer cheese or junket.

Does Aldi carry quark? ›

Emporium Plain Quark Spoonable Soft Cheese 250g | ALDI.

Is ricotta and quark the same thing? ›

Quark is a fresh cheese of European origin. It is a mild creamy cheese without the sour taste of yogurt. It is a soft un-aged cheese and is not the same thing as cream cheese or cottage cheese. It is also distinct from ricotta because ricotta is made from scalded whey.

Does Trader Joe's sell quark cheese? ›

In the U.S., quark cheese is readily available at health food stores, but it can also be found at chains like Whole Foods and Trader Joe's.

Can I use plain Greek yogurt instead of quark? ›

Theoretically you could use 2% Greek yogurt but I find that 0% Greek yogurt works best. If you want your Greek yogurt posing as quark to be really firm, put it in a colander lined with several layers of cheesecloth, place the colander over a bowl, cover it and drain it overnight in the fridge.

What supermarket sells quark? ›

Tesco Quark Fat Free Soft Cheese 250G.

Does quark give you diarrhea? ›

Quark cheese is made with dairy milk, so it might not be well-tolerated by people with lactose intolerance or dairy allergies. If you find that eating it causes symptoms like bloating, gas and diarrhea, consider cutting it out of your diet.

Can you buy quark in the US? ›

While it's very popular in European countries like Russia, Ukraine and Belarus since it's regarded as good for infant health, quark cheese is rare in the US. Only a few dairies in Vermont, Illinois and California make quark in the country.

Is mascarpone same as quark? ›

Can I use mascarpone instead of quark and would it be the same quantity, please. Hello, In some recipe yes. Just keep in mind that as quark is fat free the consistency will be different.

What do Brits call cottage cheese? ›

Cottage cheese. I'm British. It looks to me like either cottage cheese or curds. Both are common here but cottage cheese is much more so.

What is another name for quark cheese? ›

Quark is a type of fresh cheese, also known as tvorog (from the Russian творог), topfen (from the Austrian name), biezpiens (from Latvian), and varškė (from Lithuanian). It is made by warming soured milk until the desired degree of denaturation of milk proteins is met, and then strained.

Is Philadelphia cream cheese the same as quark? ›

Quark, a German cheese made from buttermilk and heavy whipping cream, has a creamy consistency and tangier taste than cream cheese. Think of it as a cross between cream cheese and yogurt. You can use the same amount of quark, but you may want to adjust the recipe to make up for the increased sour flavor.

Does Trader Joe's carry quark? ›

Stores like Lowes Foods and ShopRite carry quark from Wünder Creamery in their yogurt aisles. Different brands of the dairy product can be found at stores like Trader Joe's and Whole Foods in the yogurt or cheese aisles, whileKroger carries cups of quark from Vermont Creamery in some of its locations too.

Is quark the same as ricotta? ›

Quark is a fresh cheese of European origin. It is a mild creamy cheese without the sour taste of yogurt. It is a soft un-aged cheese and is not the same thing as cream cheese or cottage cheese. It is also distinct from ricotta because ricotta is made from scalded whey.

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