Straight to the point
Our favorite Greek yogurt isIcelandic Style Skyr by Siggi. It is creamy and rich and tastes sweeter and less acidic.
Just looking at all the options in the dairy aisle these days is enough to give anyone a case of Greek yogurt fatigue. Even once you've ruled out the flavored varieties, cut out the ones with sweeteners, and cut out the reduced-fat versions, there are still too many to choose from.
Turning the container upside down to check what's inside doesn't help much either, since almost all brands of Greek yogurt list the same ingredients: milk, live active cultures, and sometimes cream. They are also made using essentially the same technique of straining regular yogurt until much of the water, whey, and lactose have been removed. What's left is a much thicker product, with about half the sugar and twice the protein of regular yogurt.
That endless parade ofsameit can make it tempting to just reach for the nearest tub and keep moving. But despite the shared ingredients and process, not all yogurts have the same taste or texture. The graininess, thickness, and flavor vary considerably between brands.
We took it upon ourselves to test our way through nine products, aiming to find one that truly stands out from the rest. This yogurt had to be rich, creamy, and tangy enough, something we'd want to eat by the spoonful. In fact, we decided to look specifically for a Greek yogurt that would be ideal for eating straight from the container (although presumably it would also work in all types of kitchens andbaking apps, also). Some tasters were surprised by the results, noting that their favorite blind test won over brands they had been buying at the store.
How we chose and tasted Greek yogurts
It was a little challenging to decide what we, as an office, are looking for in Greek yogurt. Personally, I like a thinner, stronger Greek yogurt, while others argued that thinness in a strained yogurt was a disqualifying characteristic. Some of us like our yogurt as smooth as it can be, and others prefer it with a bit of graininess and texture. With all this in mind, we left enough room in our tests to declare a few different winners.
We decided to try only full-fat Greek yogurts and avoid any that had added flavorings or sweetening agents. We do not test any of these natural yogurts in recipes, such ascoffee cakeobanana bread—because, again, we were looking for a perfect yogurt to eat alone, or with toppings.
How to make homemade yogurt
I settled on nine brands of greek yogurt (okay, technically eight, plus one popular brand of icelandic-style skyr), all of which are widely available online and in grocery stores. Some are made with organic milk, live active cultures, and nothing else, while others use non-organic milk. Several yogurts use thickening agents to strengthen the texture, and some include cream for added richness.
To start, I scooped out the contents of each container into a randomly numbered container. The bowls were placed in our test kitchen, along with severalvery professionalsnacks that cleanse the palate.
The seven testers were given a scoring sheet to fill out for each yogurt, in which they were asked to rate each yogurt's smoothness (from grainy to totally smooth), creaminess, acidity, and overall flavor. After rating the yogurt on each of those criteria, they were asked to give each yogurt an overall rating, taking into account all of their previous scores.
All raters completed their sheets very differently. I noticed one of my coworkers paint small portions of each yogurt on his little paper plate, artist palette style. He then turned his paddle plate upside down and waited to see which yogurt would slide out first. I'm still not entirely sure what this method accomplished, but he impressed me. Some tried and judged each yogurt on its own, while others compared one to the next and went back to adjust their previous scores when they were done testing the lineup.
While our ratings for smoothness, creaminess, acidity, and overall flavor were used to evaluate the flavor and texture of the yogurts, it was the overall rating of each that decided our winners. To choose the winners, I averaged the overall ratings for each yogurt. Many ended up with very similar scores, but several stood out above the rest.
Some of the tasters who liked a slightly more watery yoghurt weren't big fans of our winner Siggi's Icelandic-style Skyr, saying they wished it was less rich. Others were put off by the intense flavor of another winner, wondering how it was possible to eat such intense yogurt by the spoonful. Again, due to these divided opinions, I picked a few different winners, leaving room for fans of thicker, thinner, sweeter, and more sour yogurts to coexist peacefully.
The Criteria: What We Look For In A Great Greek Yogurt
A good yogurt is certainly a personal preference in terms of flavor, flavor, and texture, but we went for a whole version without any added sweeteners or flavors. Unsweetened, plain Greek yogurt makes a great base to top with sliced fruit, granola, honey, or anything else you can think of, so less is more when it comes to the yogurt itself.
View on AmazonView on Instacart.comThe best Greek yogurt
Siggi's Icelandic Strained Whole Milk Yogurt, Plain
Our favorite Greek yogurt is nottechnicallyyogurt, although their taste and texture are very similar. i decided to includeSiggi's Icelandic-Style Skyrafter reading rave reviews on the web and deciding that ultimately the differences between this creamy yogurt type product and Greek yogurt are minimal.
Some Icelanders will tell you that skyr isactually a cheese, not a yogurt. This makes sense, as the process for making skyr in Iceland has historically involved adding rennet to milk to create curds, just as one wouldwhen making mozzarella, resulting in something resembling a loose creamy cheese.
However, in the US, companies like Siggi use live active cultures instead of rennet, creating a product comparable to yogurt. Siggi's even prints the words "whole milk yogurt" on the packaging of this product.
Siggi's Icelandic-Style Skyr is made with different cultures than those used for traditional yogurt, giving the final product a sweeter, less acidic taste. Skyr is also further strained, making it slightly thicker than most Greek yogurts, with a delicious, creamy consistency similar to sour cream. It goes perfectly with banana slices, coconut flakes, and a dollop of nut butter – the lunch I'm eating as I write this.
Tasters liked that the skyr was "really thick and rich", though some described the lack of acidity as a "not very developed" flavor. The skyr was almost grain free and looked as silky and rich as it felt in the mouth. If what you want in yogurt is a blank canvas on which to build a breakfast or snack (like fruit or granola), this is a great option.
Plain Siggi's comes in single and large tubs. The company also makes a number of flavored skyrs (and even a lactose-free skyr) that we didn't test.
The Best Thick and Sweet Greek Yogurt
The traditional natural Greek yogurt of the Greek gods
Several tasters noted a perceptible sweetness and only a slight tang inThe traditional natural Greek yogurt of the Greek gods, although the yogurt has no added sweeteners. This could be due to the cream that is added to the yogurt, an ingredient that not all brands contain. Yogurt of the Greek Gods is less rich than Icelandic skyr, but it's also more subdued in flavor than many of the other contenders. This yogurt uses pectin as a thickening agent, and while it did stand out in flavor from the package, it had a slightly grainier texture than our other favorites.
Fans of The Greek Gods approved of its "mild acidity" and noted that all the flavors were "balanced." The slight sweetness and tang of this yogurt raised a few eyebrows, with one taster simply writing in his notes "what's going on here?"
Tasters recorded this yogurt as slightly thinner than skyr, and they were split on whether that was a good thing or a bad thing. I have had leftover tub of greek gods yogurt for breakfast twice this week and have no complaints.
Greek Gods Yogurt is branded "greek style," which means it uses pectin to thicken, rather than straining the yogurt the traditional way. This means less protein and more sugar per serving, in amounts similar to conventional unstrained yogurts.wake notesthat regardless of the taste of the greek gods on its own, the added pectin used for thickening will ruin any baked good it's added to.
Although other flavors of Greek Gods come in single-serving containers, plain Greek yogurt only comes in 24-ounce containers.
The Best Thick and Sour Greek Yogurt
Wallaby Organic Plain Greek Yogurt
Wallaby Greek Yogurtit is perfect for those looking for a more intense and pronounced flavor. In contrast to the slight graininess of The Greek Gods, the Wallaby has a glossy appearance and a smooth texture in the mouth. This Greek yogurt is made with organic milk, the only ingredient in the yogurt. The acidity of this yogurt makes it feel a little less rich than skyr. It's a great choice for those who like to eat Greek yogurt plain, by the spoonful.
competition
Last week, I ate what was left of the three winning yogurts and increasingly noticed the small differences between them. It's not that I prefer one yogurt to the other: some days I've enjoyed the extreme creaminess of Siggi, while other days I crave the more pronounced tartness of Wallaby. All three yogurts held their own in our taste test, but not all of the yogurts we tested earned such rave reviews.
The six yogurts listed below failed to make the cut for a variety of reasons. Some were too thin, some too grainy; some others left unpleasant tastes in the mouth, according to the participants. The tasters also found that several of the losing yogurts were simply too spicy to be enjoyed by the spoonful.
- Fage Total 5% Greek Yogurt
- Maple Hill 100% Organic Grass Fed Greek Yogurt
- Stonyfield Organic Greek Yogurt
- Chobani Greek Yogurt
- 365 (Whole Foods Brand) Whole Milk Greek Yogurt
- Trader Joe's Greek Yogurt
frequent questions
How does Greek yogurt compare to regular yogurt?
Greek yogurt has a thicker, creamier consistency than regular yogurt, and it also typically has more protein and less sugar.
Can you make Greek yogurt?
You can definitely make Greek yogurt, you'll just need to strain it to remove any excess whey after the yogurt has set.
Does Greek yogurt have lactose?
Greek yogurt contains lactose, but usually less than regular yogurt thanks to straining. And, like many fermented foods, Greek yogurt may be gentler on your digestion thanks to active cultures that help break down lactose.
10 dessert recipes featuring Greek yogurt
FAQs
We Tried 9 Popular Brands of Greek Yogurt? ›
FAGE Total strained yogurt makes a great addition to any healthy eating plan because of its high concentration of all-natural protein, raw ingredients, low calorie count and versatility. It's packed with powerful protein.
Why is Fage yogurt so good? ›FAGE Total strained yogurt makes a great addition to any healthy eating plan because of its high concentration of all-natural protein, raw ingredients, low calorie count and versatility. It's packed with powerful protein.
Which yogurt is better Fage or Chobani? ›While Chobani comes up nipping at its heels for those who prefer a cleaner and less coagulated experience, Fage simply feels more luxurious in every way. The pioneers of Greek yogurt in America have remained true to their practices in Greece and it shows in the quality of their yogurt.
What is the number one Greek yogurt? ›The Uncontested Champ: Fage Total 5% Greek Yogurt
The ingredients: pasteurized skimmed milk and cream and live active cultures (L. bulgaricus, S. thermophilus, L. acidophilus, Bifidus, L.
Hamdi Ulukaya (born 26 October 1972) is a Turkish billionaire businessman, activist, and philanthropist of Kurdish ethnicity based in the United States. Ulukaya is the owner, founder, chairman, and chief executive officer of Chobani, the #1-selling strained yogurt brand in the US.
Which Greek yogurt is better Chobani or oikos? ›What is this? From a nutrition standpoint based on 5.3 oz., it appears Stonyfield Oikos Blueberry Organic 0% Yogurt is the overall healthiest yogurt, however it is highest in sodium compared to Chobani and Fage. Chobani seems to have the most amount of calcium and sugar.
What is the number one healthiest yogurt? ›- Wallaby Organic No Sugar Added Greek Yogurt.
- Fage Total 2% Greek Yogurt.
- Chobani Complete.
- Siggi's Skyr.
- Coconut Cult Probiotic Coconut Yogurt.
- Lavva Dairy Free Yogurt.
- Siggi's Plant-Based Yogurt.
FAGE Total Plain
Creamy, all natural Greek yogurt.
FAGE Fruyo is a delicious Greek recipe strained yogurt blended with chunky fruit pieces or other tasty yogurt pairings!
Does FAGE yogurt have live bacteria? ›Deliciously rich and creamy, made with only milk and live active yogurt cultures.
What makes Fage different? ›
Review: FAGE has a rich, sweet taste and comes in full fat, low fat and nonfat styles, which gives it extra points. The flavored yogurts come with a separate flavor compartment attached to the main yogurt part, so you can do as much (or as little) mixing as your heart desires.
Is Fage Greek yogurt good for your gut? ›Greek yogurt that is labelled 'contains live cultures', provides beneficial bacteria known as probiotics, which when eaten regularly may support gut health. This is because regular inclusion of fermented foods, including yogurt, appears to increase the microbial diversity of the gut.
How healthy is Fage? ›Fage is packed with protein from the milk of non-GMO fed cows. One serving of the plain low-fat Greek yogurt contains 5 grams of sugar and 17 grams of protein. If you prefer a bit more sweetness, the 2% variety also comes in various split cup options where you can mix-in sweet fruit or honey toppings.
What Greek yogurt does Chick Fil A use? ›The answer is Wallaby Organic's Vanilla Bean Greek yogurt. As the go-to brand for Chick-fil-A, it makes sense that we want to get Wallaby Organic on your radar. And what better way to do that than by sharing the recipe for the parfait straight from the source (or at least one of the sources).
What yogurt has the most bacteria? ›Kefir contains more probiotics than any yogurt. With up to 61 different strains of microbes, it can be an excellent source of probiotics.
Why is Fage yogurt so expensive? ›Greek yogurt is simply normal yogurt that has been strained to remove excess whey, resulting in a thicker, creamier product. Thus, Greek yogurt is more expensive because you need an extra amount of raw material (cow's milk in this case) to create an equivalent mass of finished product.
Does Mcdonalds use Greek yogurt? ›Chobani nonfat vanilla Greek yogurt replaces McDonald's traditional yogurt used in the Fruit 'N Yogurt Parfait and Mango Pineapple and Strawberry Banana flavored McCafe smoothies. The smoothies and parfaits will be on the new Simple Delights menu and will be available all day.
Is Trader Joe's yogurt Greek? ›Trader Joe's Greek Yogurts are made for us by a “yogurteria” that scores big on tang, texture, and of course, value! Our Plain Whole Milk Greek Yogurt is made, as one might expect, using whole milk, so it's a “full fat” yogurt.
What yogurt do Greeks eat? ›Greek yogurt is best thought of not as a yogurt, but as a soft white cheese. In Greece, there is a strained fermented dairy product called “straggisto” which is fairly similar to what is branded as Greek yogurt here.
Is Siggi's or Chobani healthier? ›It uses milk from grass-fed cows and has real fruit. siggi's 0% Plain Yogurt has 3g of sugar, 17g of protein, and just 100 calories whereas Chobani's Plain Greek Yogurt has 4g of sugar, 13g of protein, and 130 calories. I personally have tried siggi's and love its thicker consistency and more subtle flavor.
Who are Chobani biggest competitors? ›
Chobani competitors include Dannon, Stonyfield Farms, Danone, Noosa Yoghurt and Yoplait. Chobani ranks 1st in CEO Score on Comparably vs its competitors.
What's better Greek yogurt or Activia? ›If you are eating your greek yogurt plain, unsweetened, and adding your own fruit, chia/flax/hemp, then GO YOU! However, if you're buying the greek yogurt that has the berries or flavour pre added, then it's no better than your every day Activia.
What is the best yogurt for seniors? ›Plain Greek yogurt
When it comes to protein, Greek yogurt delivers. Just one cup has 17 grams of protein as well as 20% of the daily recommended intake of calcium. Why else is Greek yogurt considered one of the best superfoods for seniors? It contains probiotics, which help us maintain gut health.
Plain Yogurt
Regular yogurt delivers almost twice the bone-strengthening mineral calcium. One serving of plain yogurt (3/4 cup) contains 263-275mg of calcium and Greek yogurt contains 180-212mg.
When selecting yogurt, the better option is to pick brands with the least sugar per serving. This means as little as possible over the around 7 grams per cup (245 grams) that is already present from lactose. Typically, the best choice is plain, unflavored yogurt.
Which yogurt helps solve digestive problems? ›Plain, low-fat yogurt is a better option since it doesn't contain too much sugar or fat. There are also other ways to get probiotics, including non-dairy cultured yogurt, kefir, supplements, and fortified foods. See your doctor if you're not sure if yogurt is a good option for you.
What is the best yogurt for calcium and vitamin D? ›Greek yogurt only provides about 10% DV (Daily Value) of calcium, so you'll need other calcium- and vitamin D-rich foods or a supplement to be sure your bones are getting all that they need. Plain Greek yogurt is always the healthiest and my top 2 recommendations are Fage Total and Siggi's Icelandic Style Skyr.
What probiotic is better than yogurt? ›While yogurt is probably the best-known probiotic food in the Western diet, kefir is actually a better source of good bacteria. Kefir contains several major strains of friendly bacteria and yeast, making it a diverse and potent probiotic ( 15 ).
What does FAGE mean in Greek? ›So we've established that the origin of Fage is simply the Greek phrase for "eat".
Why does FAGE have parchment paper? ›"FAGE has always placed a piece of parchment paper on the top of our plain yogurts. This parchment paper absorbs excess whey from the yogurt and should be removed upon opening (as depicted on the side of each container near the ingredients)." That's more like it!
Why is FAGE Greek yogurt so thick? ›
Fage produces that texture the traditional way: by straining off the liquid whey. Other manufacturers take shortcuts to achieve the thick texture associated with Greek yogurt, adding a thickener instead of straining.
What country is FAGE from? ›Our family, the Filippou's, proudly open a small dairy shop in Athens, Greece. Greece falls in love with our deliciously rich and creamy FAGE yogurt, translated from Greek meaning “to eat”. We introduced attractively designed packaging – a smaller, sealed tub featuring the FAGE brand.
What kind of milk is used in FAGE Greek yogurt? ›Grade A Pasteurized Skimmed Milk and Cream, Live Active Yogurt Cultures (L. Bulgaricus, S. Thermophilus, L. Acidophilus, Bifidus, L.
What nationality is FAGE? ›Fage International S.A. (Greek: Φάγε [ˈfaʝe]) is an international dairy company founded in Athens, Greece, and as of 2012 headquartered in Strassen, Luxembourg. It is one of the major dairy brands in Greece. It manufactures dairy products including milk, yogurt and ice cream.
What probiotic is in Fage? ›Fage, pronounced 'fa-yeh,' is an international dairy company that originated in Athens, Greece. The company's entire line of yogurt products, including Total, Total Split Cup, and Cross Overs, contains L. acidophilus.
Who owns Fage? ›Fage USA Dairy Industry is a subsidiary of Fage Yogurt, a Greece-based yogurt company. Fage Yogurt operates three plants in Greece and is a major producer of yogurt, cheese and milk.
How long can Fage yogurt be unrefrigerated? ›According to the US Department of Health & Human Services, you should throw out yogurt if it's been out at room temperature for more than two hours. If the temperature is higher than 90 degrees Fahrenheit, you only have one hour to eat that yogurt sitting out of the refrigerator.
How is FAGE so creamy? ›Just milk, cream and live active cultures to create all natural FAGE yogurt. Because it is strained, it has more protein than other yogurts. FAGE's yogurt is naturally produced from cows' milk and live yogurt cultures.
Why is there paper on FAGE yogurt? ›It's a pretty straightforward answer: the parchment round absorbs any excess whey that rises to the top after the yogurt is packed.
Does FAGE yogurt have probiotics? ›FAGE Total Plain Yogurt in 0%, 2% and 5% fat and FAGE TruBlend are Greek-style yogurts that contain L. acidophilus and four additional live and active bacterial cultures including S_. thermophilus_, Bifidus, L. bulgaricus and L.
Is Fage Greek yogurt bad for cholesterol? ›
Greek yogurt has been connected to lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels, which can reduce your risk of heart disease. Cholesterol and triglycerides can harden or block your arteries over time, leading to heart disease or atherosclerosis.
Is Fage yogurt good for IBS? ›Even though dairy products are the major culprits of discomfort for some IBS sufferers, yogurt proves to be an exception. The live cultures in the yogurt break down the lactose, so it's less likely to cause gassy symptoms.
Is Fage Greek yogurt high in cholesterol? ›Nonfat Greek yogurt has about 9 mg of cholesterol per serving, while a single serving of Yoplait Original French Vanilla Yogurt has 10 mg, and Chobani Flip Cookie Dough Yogurt has 15 mg. Ironically, some yogurts have been shown to reduce levels of LDL cholesterol, potentially because of their probiotic content.
Does FAGE yogurt have a lot of sugar? ›1. Fage Total 5% Whole Milk Greek Yogurt. This classic Greek yogurt is thick, creamy, and smooth—and has zero added sugar. In addition to its high-protein content, it delivers a good dose of potassium and calcium.
Is it good to eat Greek yogurt every day? ›"There are really not any risks when you eat Greek yogurt every day limiting it to two servings a day. However, you may not get the benefits if you choose the wrong Greek yogurt," says Elena Paravantes, RDN and creator of OliveTomato.com. "Greek yogurt should only contain milk and or cream and live cultures.
Is FAGE yogurt good for weight loss? ›Despite its protein content, eating Greek yogurt alone is unlikely to make a person burn more calories. But eating Greek yogurt, as part of a balanced diet that includes enough protein, fibrous carbohydrates, and healthful fats may aid weight loss and boost metabolism.
Which is better Oikos or Chobani? ›From a nutrition standpoint based on 5.3 oz., it appears Stonyfield Oikos Blueberry Organic 0% Yogurt is the overall healthiest yogurt, however it is highest in sodium compared to Chobani and Fage. Chobani seems to have the most amount of calcium and sugar.
Is Chobani real Greek yogurt? ›Chobani® Greek Yogurt is crafted from farm-fresh local milk, making it an excellent source of protein. Non-fat, low-fat, and whole milk options are the perfect base for breakfast bowls, smoothies, and more.
How do you pick a good Greek yogurt? ›- Ingredient List: Milk, live active cultures and sometimes cream are really all that's needed to create Greek yogurt. ...
- Added Sugar: Ideally there should be zero added sugars, or close to zero.
- Protein: Most traditional-style Greek yogurt brands have 16-20 grams of protein per 6-ounce serving.
Typically, the best choice is plain, unflavored yogurt. But if you don't like plain yogurt, there are a few things you can try instead. One option is to sweeten it yourself with your favorite fresh fruit. You can also make your own chia seed yogurt to make plain yogurt less tart.
What yogurt has highest probiotics? ›
Kefir contains more probiotics than any yogurt. With up to 61 different strains of microbes, it can be an excellent source of probiotics. People use specific clusters of microbes called kefir grains to ferment the milk.
What brand is real Greek yogurt? ›Did you know? Olympiana is the only authentic Greek Yogurt sold in America. None of the “Greek” yogurt sold by US companies is made in Greece. Most of them use additives to thicken the yogurt, and factory machines, rather than straining the yogurt in a fabric bag like we do.
Is Trader Joe's Greek yogurt real Greek yogurt? ›Trader Joe's Greek Yogurts are made for us by a “yogurteria” that scores big on tang, texture, and of course, value! Our Plain Whole Milk Greek Yogurt is made, as one might expect, using whole milk, so it's a “full fat” yogurt.
Should you eat Greek yogurt everyday? ›Consuming one to two cups of lowfat Greek yogurt daily can be a healthy addition to your diet without making it difficult to maintain your weight.
Should Greek yogurt be refrigerated? ›Keep it refrigerated after you bring it home from the store, and do not leave yogurt at room temperature for longer than two hours or one hour if the temperature is 90 degrees F or above. If left unrefrigerated longer, bacteria can start to grow.
Which yogurt is best for anti inflammatory? ›Another study, published in Nutrients, found that yogurt consumption was associated with lower levels of inflammatory markers, and as the study authors note, “may be an important part of a healthy diet, designed to mitigate systemic inflammation.” Cohen recommends plain Greek yogurt, which has more protein than other ...
What is the best yogurt for losing belly fat? ›Greek yogurt
Low-fat Greek yogurt contains twice as much satiating protein as traditional yogurt, which can keep you feeling fuller longer and control appetite. That can translate to less belly fat. Also, yogurt is rich in calcium and research has linked calcium to lower levels of abdominal fat.
- 10 Best Low-Sugar Yogurts.
- Fage Total 5% Whole Milk Greek Yogurt. ...
- Chobani Complete Mixed Berry Yogurt. ...
- Siggi's Plain Whole Milk Yogurt. ...
- Maple Hill Unsweetened Plain Greek Yogurt. ...
- Stonyfield Organic 100% Grass-Fed Plain Greek Yogurt. ...
- Wallaby Aussie Greek Whole Milk Strawberry Yogurt.