Consumer Reports tested seven cottage cheese brands and found that two 2% tubs rose to the top. Its updated August 21, 2026 analysis highlighted Daisy Low Fat 2% Milkfat Small Curd and Breakstone’s 2% Milkfat Lowfat Small Curd as the highest-rated overall picks.
The two tubs that led Consumer Reports’ taste test
The key correction for shoppers is simple: Daisy was not the lone winner. Consumer Reports named two top picks in its blind taste test of seven brands, and both were 2% cottage cheeses. Food & Wine later summarized those results in October 2026, helping bring the findings to a broader grocery audience.
According to Consumer Reports, Daisy Low Fat 2% Milkfat Small Curd stood out for a savory flavor, a slight natural milk sweetness, uniform curds, and a firmer texture. The publication also noted its short ingredient list, which aligns with the appeal of simpler dairy products for many shoppers.
Breakstone’s 2% Milkfat Lowfat Small Curd joined Daisy at the top. Consumer Reports described it as the best traditional-style option, praising its creamy, buttery flavor and light tang. The report also noted that tapioca starch gives Breakstone’s a somewhat thicker texture than some rivals.
That split result matters in the grocery aisle because the two winners are not interchangeable in style. Daisy appears to suit shoppers who want a slightly firmer curd and cleaner ingredient panel, while Breakstone’s may appeal more to buyers looking for a classic creamy cottage cheese experience.
What Consumer Reports said about the rest of the field
The tasting covered seven brands, and Consumer Reports said the results discussed were for their 2% versions when identifying the overall leaders. In addition to Daisy and Breakstone’s, the publication called out Good Culture Organic 2% Low-Fat Classic Small Curd as especially good for spreading because of its dense, ricotta-like texture.
Nancy’s Organic Probiotic Lowfat 2% Milkfat was singled out for being very tangy. That makes it a more specific pick than an all-purpose winner, especially for shoppers who want a cottage cheese that can stand in for cream cheese or bring more acidity to a dish.
Consumer Reports also evaluated 365 Whole Foods Market Organic Lowfat 1.5% Milkfat, Hood Lowfat 1% Milkfat Small Curd, and Great Value Lowfat 2% Milkfat Small Curd. According to the report, those products contained more than one stabilizer or other additive, though the publication still said it did not find any major problems with the seven brands overall.
That nuance is useful for home cooks. The report did not present the lower-ranked tubs as bad products. Instead, it framed the differences mostly around taste, texture, and ingredient preferences, which is often exactly how shoppers choose among plain cottage cheeses.
What this means for shoppers buying cottage cheese now
For anyone standing in front of the dairy case, the Consumer Reports takeaway is less about chasing a single “best” tub and more about choosing the style you like. If you prefer savory flavor, slight sweetness, and firmer, uniform curds, Daisy is one of the publication’s two top picks. If you want a creamier, more buttery and traditional profile, Breakstone’s is the other.
Ingredient details also matter here. Daisy’s ingredient list includes cultured skim milk, cream, and salt, which helps explain why it is often grouped with simpler formulations. Breakstone’s thicker feel, by contrast, was tied by Consumer Reports to the inclusion of tapioca starch.
Consumer Reports nutritionist Amy Keating also offered practical advice that is easy to use at home: buy plain cottage cheese and add fruit yourself instead of choosing presweetened versions. That lets shoppers control sweetness and keep the base product more versatile for breakfast bowls, snacks, and savory lunches.
The broader result is a helpful one for families and home cooks. Consumer Reports did not say every shopper should buy the same tub, but it did narrow the field to two strong 2% options that stand out for different reasons. That makes the next cottage cheese purchase a little easier.