Fage is one of many brands pushing new variations on old fashioned yogurt. Greek yogurts tend to be thicker, often made with cream and milk, and often fewer unprounceable ingredients.
Fage meets those standards. The yogurt is made from nothing more than milk, cream and active cultures. Then, Fage adds honey. Or it adds a little container of honey next to the container of yogort. You spoon the honey on top, and it's creamier, sweeter and more natural than the supermarket brands that you grew up on.
It's also more expensive. Pushing $2 each. But that's a small price to pay if it actually gets you to eat breakfast in the morning.
You can find Fage at many stores. I bought at Harris Teeter in Fulton and Columbia, Roots in Clarksville, and Whole Foods in Baltimore. (Update: Comment below says some Giants and Safeways have Fage as well.) We found more varieties as the store got more expensive -- two or three at Harris Teeter, a half dozen at Roots and then all those varieties plus the ellusive chery at Whole Foods.
(Update: Check the comments for a yogurt recipe and several other options. I thought yesterday's yellow peppers were a great find, but the local passion seems to focus on yogurt! As always, thanks for the comments.)
27 comments:
I've never found Greek Yogurt to be worth it. It's one of those "Blogher" health fads as far as I'm concerned. Nothing wrong with a little regular lowfat plain yogurt, which often has comperable nutrition and is much, much cheaper.
I started making my own Greek-style yogurt last year and I haven't had to buy expensive Fage since!
It takes a bit of time, but I make a big batch every two weeks and it lasts in the fridge very well.
Here's the recipe I use: Crockpot Yogurt
Just filter the yogurt through coffee filters to get a Greek-style yogurt.
you can get a huge tub of the plain at costco (can't remember the price, but it's huge.). then add your own honey.
I love the Fage yogurt. I stalk Giant and Safeway for it to go on sale which it does from time to time. I think this and Chiobani and the best tasting Greek yogurts.
Yeah, I second that for costco. it's a big tub for about 5.99 i think. it's the plain 0% variety. i still dont understand why it recommends not to stir on the container
Instead of this expensive stuff, you might want to try Lebna. Avail at Ceazar International Market in Elkridge. They have a Greek brand and an Iranian brand. We like the Greek. Great with veggies and all kinds of other things.
The only real difference (unless you're buying real Greek yogurt), is that there is less water in Greek style yogurt. It's not much healthier or anything, but you're also not paying extra for water.
Buying it plain is a good way to go on this, and you can stir in your own honey or jam (for fruit yogurt), or use it for savory cooking.
Also, middle eastern stores sell Greek style yogurt for a lot less than most grocery stores-- my fave brand is Sadaf.
Greek yogurt has on average 2x the protein of regular yogurt. Great for vegetarians who dont get enough protein.
Greek yogurt has a much higher protein content!
We live in the 21st century. Veg Heads (and I say this lovingly) can get protein from a ton of stuff that's cheaper. Beans, whole grains, whey formula, anyone?
Face it. Buying greek yogurt is just the chic thing for health bloggers right now. God forbid you forget your picture of your morning Fage (*heart*) with chia seeds and almond butter.
I'll stick to Plain lowfat with a some cocoa puffs thrown in there for textral variety, and, you know, balance :)
hahahahahah Adam cracks me up. If you want to get good but cheaper greek yogurt - Trader Joe's is delicious as well!
Thanks for the crockpot recipe - I've been wanting to make my own yogurt, so I'll give that a try. I agree that Fage wasn't all that. Just plain old yogurt that's thicker and costlier.
Right-- greek-style yogurt has more protein than regular yogurt only because there's less water in it, i.e. there is more "yogurt" in greek-style yogurt than regular yogurt.
It was explained to me by the owner of Ceazar's that Lebna(sp?) is yogurt that has had the water pressed out of it. It has the dense consistency of sour cream, but it's delicious.
I love Fage and Chobani, but I'm just a big fan of yogurt in general. The Greek yogurt has much more protein than regular yogurt and around the same amount of calories too.
Try Michele's Granola for texture and added flavor! It's made in Baltimore and is the best granola I've ever had. You can buy it at MOM and Dave's Natural Market.
For those of you who don't think Greek yogurt is worth the price/fad, what do you suggest eating for breakfast that is high in protein and is good for on the go?
Kristi -- Wait. Wait. Wait. Don't give away the Michelle's granola secret. The breakfast that has taken over the other half of my house is Michelle's granola on Fage yogurt. I thought I was going to get a post out of that next week!
Glad to see the passion about yogurt. Thanks for the recipe and all the tips.
I've never heard of Michelle's granola!! I usually have my yogurt with my mom's homemade granola but it has run out, so I need to buy some now!!!!
Also, Greek Yogurt + Bananas + Honey is ALSO heavenly!
Greek yogurt doesn't have less water --- what gets drained off is whey. So, if any additional whey separates out of your Greek yogurt, pekkle, then mixing it back in would thins back down again, and it wouldn't be as thick like sour cream. Per serving size, Greek varieties have more protein but less calcium than regular, according to CookingLight.com. But, if you don't like regular yogurt and but the Greek stuff seems okay, it's a better alternative than none at all, right? Greek yogurt is also better for you than sour cream, so that would also be a good place to substitute it.
I've seen that crockpot yogurt recipe and it sounds really good! And, it's probably cheaper to make with powdered milk, if cost is a factor.
Kristi: Crack two eggs (or whites) in a microwave safe bowl/cup. Nuke it. Dump it out. Top with a slice of low fat cheese. Nuke it briefly. Meanwhile, toast a whole wheat english muffin. Top with basil and a little marinara sauce.
You just made yourself a GrubGrade approved Italian Breakfast sandwich that is cheap, portable, and healthy.
Or do as I do and buy lowfat cottage cheese and eat with tomato, cucumber, basil and black pepper. But don't forget to balance it with carbs. I like a bowl of Lucky Charms on the side.
Ha! Sorry HowChow, but something that good can't be kept a secret for long! I discovered Michele's a few weeks ago and I'm obsessed.
Adam-great recommendation for the sandwich. Not sure if that would work for me during the week since I am always running late, but I'm definitely going to try it this weekend. I might have to hold off on the cottage cheese/Lucky Charms combo, although I think Cap'n Crunch would work! Thanks!!
Haha glad I could help Kristi. I love making my own english muffin egg sandwiches. Play around with flavor profiles. I like adding some balsamic vinagar and garlic powder to a little lite mayo as a condiment, that or going with some fancy mustard. Or use whipped cream cheese, cucumber, mint and a splash of lemon juice. The great things about using egg whites -- other than their protein -- is that they can be a vehicle for so many different flavors.
Of course, you could also try to Alton Brown Sardine Sandwich breakfast approach. I don't do it for the health benefits (and sub cream cheese for avocado, but dang, sardines make a nice sandwich!)
I agree it's expensive but I love Fage Greek yogurt. The protein really fills me up, and it just feels like a far more solid meal than watery american yogurt. There is something very appealing about the creamy mouth feel, also.
Sometimes I buy the individual cups w/ honey as a convenience, but usually I buy the big tub and add my own honey. Per serving it's not much more than dannon.
Damn I'm at Costco often and I didn't know about the yogurt. My toddler eats a ton of the stuff. I just buy him the full fat either plain or vanilla flavored then add cinnamon and various fruit to it.
It is a pain sometimes to find full fat yogurt. Low fat is no good for a growing boy. Thank you for the tip!
I read a blog post from someone who got to taste the new Oikos (Stonyfield) Caramel flavor and I have been searching for it since. It is becoming my new holy grail, having given up on finding Chocolove Salty Almond Dark Chocolate bars.
MaybeKathy - I saw that chocolate bar at the Cockeysville Target the other day! I am still angry I never picked it up.
Now I also want to try caramel greek yogurt!!!!!!!!!! YUM
The newly expanded Walmart in Laurel (near 198 & the BW Parkway) stocks 4-packs (4-10 oz. cups) of the Stonyfield Oikos Carmel, as well as Honey, yogurt. They are $3.98 each. Deelish!
I was skeptical of greek yogurt, until I tried it. I stick with the Fage or the Chibani though. The off brand versions are terrible. You can buy the Chibani at Costco! I love the extra creaminess while still being a 0%fat or 2% fat yogurt.
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