What is Cream on Top Yogurt — and is it Healthy?

mackenziehartung
Apr 10
4 min read

Whether you're trying to meet your health goals — or you just want to make more informed decisions about your dairy options at the grocery store — you might have seen cream on top yogurt on the shelves. But what is it? And does it have any health benefits?

Table of Contents:

What is Cream on Top Yogurt?
How is Cream on Top Yogurt Made?
Health Benefits of Cream on Top Yogurt
Is Cream on Top Yogurt Good for You?
Try Cream on Top Yogurt for Yourself

What is Cream on Top Yogurt?

As the name suggests, cream on top yogurt has a visible layer of cream floating on top of the yogurt itself when you open the container, which is typically higher in fat content than the underlying yogurt. Maple Hill’s cream on top yogurt also includes live and active probiotics for extra nutrition and flavor.

There is no end to the different ways that yogurt can be processed and made: from variations like kefir to Greek yogurt that offer different flavors and with their own unique health benefits. If you’re looking for a yogurt that is rich with healthy fats, and has the added benefit of gut-supporting probiotics, cream on top might be the right choice.

How is Cream on Top Yogurt Made?

Cream on top yogurt starts out with whole milk — at Maple Hill, we start out with 100% grass-fed organic milk. Live cultures are added, which causes the cream to ferment over time, naturally separate, and then rise to the top of the container. This forms a layer of delicious, lightly sweet cream that you can see, also called “whey,” which can be stirred back into the yogurt or enjoyed on its own.

The yogurt that may come to mind when you think of standard yogurt usually has the same smooth consistency throughout. This is because it’s processed using homogenization to prevent the cream from separating into a layer of whey. This extra processing is not attainable for the average home cook, which is why cream on top yogurt is often associated with a more natural, homemade taste.

Whole milk is the key to delicious cream on top flavor: it has enough fat content to produce the distinct cream and rich flavor, as opposed to skim or low fat milk options. The live bacterial cultures cause fermentation within the yogurt, as well as extra nutrients.

Health Benefits of Cream on Top Yogurt

Without the extra homogenization, the health benefits of cream on top yogurt shine. When you also add in the additional benefits from probiotics, there are many reasons to introduce cream on top yogurt into your diet.

Healthy Fats & Protein

A single serving of Maple Hill’s 100% grass-fed cream on top yogurt has 5 grams of protein and 7 grams of healthy fat, which will help you stay full and satisfied for much longer than traditional yogurt. Healthy fats, like omega-3s found in 100% grass-fed dairy, support heart health and brain function. It also helps your body absorb fat-soluble vitamins found in dairy like A, D, E and K — all essential for a healthy body and brain.

Probiotics

Cream on top yogurt contains live bacteria, commonly known as probiotics, that support your entire digestive system. By restoring the balance of bacteria in your gut, you can reduce inflammation and boost overall immunity as the helpful bacteria in probiotics help to outnumber the harmful microbes that can cause inflammation and gastrointestinal diseases.

Additional Nutrients

We’ve reviewed the difference between conventional milk, organic milk, and 100% grass-fed milk — these same nutritional benefits apply to 100% grass-fed cream on top yogurt. Studies show that dairy made by grass-fed cows contain higher levels of CLA, which has been linked to potential anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory benefits. Cream on top yogurt also helps the body absorb vitamin K2, which supports bone and cardiovascular health.

If you’re rethinking your dairy choices for health benefits, you can’t go wrong with cream on top yogurt for fullness, a healthier gut, and a nutrient boost.

Is Cream on Top Yogurt Good for You?

The short answer is: yes, cream on top yogurt is healthier than regular yogurt due to the increased levels of healthy fats and protein, as well as the added vitamins and probiotics.

We love (and sell!) delicious Greek yogurt for people who love the classic texture and taste. But for an added boost of beneficial fat, you may want to add cream on top yogurt into your diet.

While all yogurt offers valuable nutrients like protein and calcium, our cream on top style also has some unique advantages. Made from the highest quality, 100% grass-fed organic milk from our own happy cows, you can taste and experience the difference that an all-natural diet provides. No filler feed, no hormones — just cows grazing the way that they were made to.

Try Cream on Top Yogurt for Yourself

Maple Hill’s 100% grass-fed organic cream on top yogurt comes in both plain unsweetened and vanilla cream varieties .You can try them out at your local grocery store and top with yogurt favorites like granola or fresh fruit. You can also try something more inventive, like our recipe for a delicious strawberry lemon poppyseed salad.