Articles

What is quark?

By Abonga Xoki, 19 February 2026

If you’ve spotted quark in Woolies’ dairy aisle and wondered whether it’s yoghurt, cottage cheese or something else entirely – you’re not alone. Searches for “what is quark?”, “what does quark taste like?” and “how do you use quark?” have been steadily rising.

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If you've been eyeing that mysterious tub in Woolies' fridges, wondering if you should take the plunge, consider this your official invitation to dive in. Quark is a thick, smooth, creamy fresh dairy product that is best described as a mix of cream cheese and yoghurt. It’s part of Woolworths' double-cream Ayrshire dairy dessert range and comes in flavours including plain, strawberry and vanilla. It's naturally high in protein and works well in both sweet and savoury recipes.

What does quark taste like?

Quark has a gently tangy, creamy and mild flavour. It has a soft lactic tang that’s less sharp than sour cream and a thick, smooth, creamy texture, but it's still light and spoonable. The flavour is fresh and milky rather than salty (unless you’re choosing one of the flavoured options). Compared to other dairy products, it’s less tart than Greek yoghurt, smoother than cottage cheese, and lighter than cream cheese.

How to use it

Because it’s thick, smooth and creamy, quark works beautifully as a breakfast or snack option. You can enjoy it on its own, spooned into a bowl with fresh fruit, granola, nuts, or a drizzle of honey. The flavoured varieties such as strawberry and vanilla also make an easy high-protein dessert straight from the tub.

It can be used in cheesecakes, tarts, muffins, pancakes and smoothie bowls, adding creaminess without the heaviness of cream cheese. It also blends well into smoothies and can even be layered into parfaits or dessert cups.

Plain quark can be used in savoury dishes as a spread for toast or bagels, mixed with herbs and garlic for a quick dip, or stirred into sauces and dressings for added creaminess. It can also be used as a lighter alternative to cream cheese or sour cream in wraps, baked potatoes, or pasta dishes.