We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process.
Greatist only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.
Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:- Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
- Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?
- Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?
Move over, kefir! There’s a new probiotic sheriff in town. Filmjölk is a traditional Swedish milk drink that boasts beaucoup health benefits. It’s a delicious and nutritious source of:
- probiotics
- potassium
- calcium
- protein
Here are the dairy deets, plus how to DIY filmjölk at home.
Filmjölk (aka fil) is a fermented dairy drink that hails from Sweden. It’s massively popular in Nordic countries and is starting to trend across Europe and North America.
Variations of filmjölk have been around for a super long time. Like… Viking-era status. While it’s come a long way since the 11th century, it’s still a simple mix of milk and bacteria (e.g., Leuconostoc mesenteroide and Lactococcus lactis).
Filmjölk is a type of mesophilic yogurt. That means it’s fermented at room temp. This process creates an organic compound called Diacetyl which has a distinct buttery flavor. It’s usually less sour than yogurt and has a very drinkable consistency.
Here’s how filmjölk fares when compared to other popular dairy products.
| Filmjölk, plain | Yogurt, plain, low fat | Greek yogurt, plain, low fat | Kefir, plain, low fat | |
| calories | 34 kcal | 63 kcal | 73 kcal | 43 kcal |
| fat | 0 g | 1.55 g | 1.92 g | 1.02 g |
| carbs | 5.08 g | 7.04 g | 3.94 g | 4.77 g |
| protein | 3.39 g | 5.25 g | 9.95 g | 3.79 g |
| sugars | 3.95 g | 7.04 g | 3.56 g | 4.61 g |
| calcium | 120 mg | 183 mg | 115 mg | 130 mg |
| magnesium | N/A | 17 mg | 11 mg | 12 mg |
| potassium | 101 mg | 234 mg | 141 mg | 164 mg |
| vitamin A | N/A | 14 µg | 90 µg | 171 µg |
| choline | N/A | 15.2 mg | 15.2 mg | 15.2 mg |
| selenium | N/A | 3.3 µg | 12.4 µg | 3.6 µg |
Filmjölk is a solid source of various vital nutrients. While probiotics are the standout stars, filmjölk is also a great way to get calcium, protein, and potassium. Here’s the lowdown.
Calcium
Calcium is 10/10 important for your overall health. It’s essential for healthy, strong bones and teeth. It also helps your brain carry messages to other parts of your body.
Protein
Protein is a vital macronutrient that helps your organs function on fleek. It can help increase muscle mass and is great for your bone health.
Probiotics
Filmjölk is a fab source of probiotics. These living microorganisms can help your health in lots of ways. They have major mental health and digestion perks. There’s also a chance probiotics can help stave off diarrhea caused by infection or antibiotics.
Potassium
Potassium is an exciting electrolyte that benefits your:
Does filmjölk have lactose?
A lot of the milk’s lactose gets converted into lactic acid during fermentation. So, you might be able to enjoy filmjölk even if you’re lactose intolerant.
PSA: Def stick to small sips until you see how well you can tolerate it.
Filmjölk is SO easy to make. All you need is milk, yogurt cultures, and time.
Ingredients
- 6 cups cow or goat’s milk
- 6 tablespoons yogurt starter
You’ll also need these
- large glass jar
- cloth cover
- wooden or plastic spoon (no metal!)
Directions
- Pour milk into a large glass jar.
- Stir in yogurt starter.
- Cover with a cloth.
- Let it sit at room temp for about 12 to 48 hours.
- Enjoy!
P.S. You can store it in the fridge for a week or longer. Just make sure you keep it covered.
Filmjölk is sort of waiting for its big break in the United States. So, it might be hard to buy a bottle at your local grocery store. You’re prob better off looking at health food shops. You can also see if you have any Nordic specialty stores in your area.
Here are some popular filmjölk brands to be aware of:
Filmjölk is a super popular Nordic drink that’s made from fermented milk. It has a luscious, buttery flavor and is loaded with health perks. It’s a great source of probiotics, potassium, calcium, and protein. It also has a low glycemic-index and lower levels of lactose than other dairy products.
You might be able to track down filmjölk at your local grocery store. If not, it’s super easy to make at home. You can also opt for other dope fermented dairy products like kefir, yogurt, or Greek yogurt.
