As I’ve been promising for the past several months, I have at last completed the comprehensive Greek yogurt review. Enjoy!

If you happen to have strolled by the dairy case recently, you may have noticed a new trend among those rows and rows of yogurts. Greek yogurts have enjoyed tremendous popularity of late; their thick texture and creaminess seem to appeal to the masses.

In case you are still unfamiliar with what makes a yogurt “Greek,” here is a brief tutorial. Greek yogurt is like regular yogurt, except much of its moisture has been eliminated. The result is a thicker, creamier product that boasts double-digit protein counts.

While some enjoy Greek yogurt on its own, most serve the tangy plain varieties with various mix-ins ranging from the traditional (such as honey) to the wacky (think pumpkin and fruit cobbler). If culinary experimentation is not your thing, several Greek yogurt producers sell already flavored varieties, eliminating the need for additional sweeteners or toppings.

Whether you are a long-time fan or just beginning your journey on the road to Greek yogurt fondness, you’ll need information about the ever-expanding varieties available in your average dairy case. Accordingly, here I provide you with the vital stats and my thoughts on the leading brands available in the United States.

Fage: Best Overall

Fage. My first exposure to the wonders of the Greek yogurt world. Fage is my personal favorite, as its creaminess always has me coming back for more (despite its steep price tag!). Fage makes the perfect canvas for the addition of creative mix-ins, from fruit to chocolate-covered pretzels, this yogurt makes a masterpiece out of any snack. Disclaimer: I have sampled only the plain variety, so I can’t recommend the flavored pots…yet. Word has it around the food blogosphere that they’re pretty tasty too. No HFCS either!

• Although Fage is not organic, the company does make an effort to preserve the environment. Read their environmental policy here.
• Fage is available in full-fat, 2%, and 0% fat. Watch out for that full-fat variety, however, because a one cup serving may set you back 23 grams of fat! If you’re concerned about lack of creaminess, try the 2% as a compromise between the non-fat and full-fat.
• In addition to the creamy, dreamy plain, Fage also produces tubs with a side compartment of sweetness.  Just like those Cottage Doubles of my childhood, simply mix in and enjoy! Available in cherry, peach, strawberry, and honey.
• The nutritional information varies according to variety. The plain 0% is your best bargain with just 90 kcalories, 13 grams of protein, and 20% RDA for calcium per 5.3 oz container. Most of the flavored varieties have 130 kcalories, 2.5 grams fat, 11 grams of protein, and just 10% RDA for calcium, along with 17 grams of sugar. The honey variety has significantly higher kcalories and sugar content. For complete nutritional information, click here.
• The price tag is rather hefty, especially considering that it does not bear the USDA organic seal. Typical cost is $1.89-$1.99 per 5.3 oz container.

Ways to enjoy Fage:

layered salad with Fage & avocado puree

as a sour cream stand-in with cilantro, atop gazpacho

for tzaziki, atop falafel

vegan frozen waffles, topped with Fage/flax & berries

Oikos: Best Organic

Honey Oikos

Another widely available brand of Greek yogurt is Oikos, produced by one of my favorite companies, Stonyfield Farm. The chief positive attribute of this yogurt is the certified organic seal on its label. As someone who strives to eat only organic dairy, I was elated when this brand appeared on shelves in 2007. While it usually satisfies my craving for a thick cloud of yogurt-goodness, I have had a few disappointing experiences in which the texture was a tad liquidy–liquidy Greek yogurt is hardly Greek at all, if you ask me. Not withstanding those very rare experiences, I would recommend Oikos to those in search of a tasty, protein-rich snack.

• Just like all Stonyfield products, Oikos is USDA organic.
• Oikos is available only in 0% fat.
• In addition to plain, flavored varieties include honey, blueberry, and vanilla. Apparently, a strawberry flavor has recently appeared on store shelves as well. Unlike Fage, the flavor is already mixed in for you!
• The plain variety contains just 80 kcalories, along with 15 grams of protein and 20% RDA for calcium (per 5.3 oz cup). The flavored yogurts contain between 110-120 kcalories, due to the addition of organic sugar. Complete nutritional information can be found here.
• Each 5.3 oz container typically costs $1.99 or more.

Ways to enjoy Oikos:

Blueberry Oikos Popsicle

served with strawberries & walnuts

*Special thanks to Oikos for providing coupons.

Chobani: Best Flavored

honey, pineapple, & pomegranate flavors

I was first introduced to these yogurts by my fellow food bloggers. Immediately, I was intrigued by their vast array of flavors; the peach variety had me dreaming of peaches ‘n cream. I enjoyed the plain variety just fine, but the flavors make Chobani shine. Somehow they manage to squeeze in the fresh fruit flavor into these little pots. You’ll find real fruit pieces mixed in–the pomegranate flavor even has real pomegranate seeds! Unfortunately, like many flavored yogurts, these fantastic flavors are high in sugar, meaning they might be considered “treats” rather than a diet staple.

• Chobani is not organic.
• There are two fat levels available: 0% and 2%.
• The plenitude of flavors include: (0%) plain, strawberry, peach, blueberry, vanilla, honey, and pomegranate; (2%) plain and pineapple.
• Again, the nutrition content varies by flavor, but each 6 oz. container of plain contains 100 kcalories, plus 18 grams of protein and 20% RDA for calcium. Flavored varieties contain 120-160 kcalories, slightly less protein with 14 grams, and a hefty 13-20 grams of sugar. The sweetening agent is plain ol’ sugar. Full details here.
• Chobani is significantly cheaper than other varieties, around $1.39 per 6 oz container.

Ways to enjoy Chobani:

peach Chobani blended in a peach smoothie

plain with crumbled Jocolat bar

plain with pumpkin & almonds

*Special thanks to Chobani for providing samples!

Trader Joe’s Greek Yogurt: Best Bargain

Given my infatuation with a certain TJ, it was only a matter of time before I discovered these little cups in the dairy aisle. I was giddy with excitement when I discovered that not only did they boast impressive nutrition and taste but also a blissfully small price tag.

• Although Trader Joe’s Greek style yogurt is available in both organic and non-organic varieties, this review pertains to the non-organic products.
• Available in 0% and full-fat.
• The flavor offerings are similar to those of other companies: plain, vanilla, honey, blueberry, and pomegranate.
• For a 5.3 oz serving, Trader Joe’s Greek yogurt contains 80-110 calories, no fat and 14 grams of protein. The sugar content ranges from as low as 2 grams to 14 grams. Again, I’d recommend buying the plain for everyday consumption and saving the flavored varieties as a breakfast treat.
• Each 5.3 oz container costs a mere $1! If you choose to buy the plain in the multi-serving container, it’s even more inexpensive.

Ways to enjoy Trader Joe’s Greek Yogurt:

blueberry flavor with high-fiber cereal, almonds, & blueberries in a parfait

honey flavor with Cascadian Farm Honey Os cereal & banana

Greek Gods Yogurt: Best Website

Click on the link, and be sure that the sound is on–you’re in for a dramatic introduction to the un-official yogurt of Mount Olympus. In all seriousness, this yogurt is quite a Calorie bargain (for the non-fat variety!), but its texture cannot compare to the other yogurts mentioned here. It’s consistency is identical to regular plain yogurt, nowhere close to Greek yogurt’s characteristic creaminess. Perhaps the higher fat varieties have a bit more “body.”

• Greek Gods yogurt is not organic, but it is produced from cows not treated with rBGH (bovine growth hormone).
• Available in non-fat, reduced-fat, and full-fat varieties.
• I must give Greek Gods kudos for their creative flavors in the reduced-fat and full-fat varieties: fig, vanill-cinnamon-orange, along with the usual honey, pomegranate, and plain. Now, Greek Gods,  get to work on creative flavors for the non-fat!
• The nutritional stats vary widely, but the non-fat has just 60 kcalories per 6 oz container. The others contain 6-17 grams of fat (mostly saturated) and just 6 grams of protein. Full nutritional profiles are here, complete with lightning strike sound effects.
• Expect a price tag of $1.29-$1.99 per 6 oz container.

Ways to enjoy Greek Gods:

as a component in homemade waffles

in Eating Bender's Greek yogurt PB "icing"

This concludes your Greek yogurt education. With the information above, I hope you can now easily choose the Greek yogurt for you and your preferences. Now, if you’ll excuse me, a certain snack beckons me from the fridge.

Filed under: Feature Post, Product Review