The top Greek yogurt brands boast of a thick, creamy texture that run smooth and lend a slightly tangy taste to the sweetness. Go through the following NutriNeat article to find out about the top brands out there.
Consumption of milk and milk based products are some of the most regular factors of our day-to-day life. Be it be milk, cheese, butter, or yogurt, we have these products in our daily menu. The preparation method and taste of these products differs from one region to another. One such popular regional milk product is Greek yogurt, which is a specialty of authentic Greek food.
Greek yogurt is becoming increasingly popular amongst western countries these days. This extremely healthy, creamy, and thick type of yogurt is extremely delicious to taste and is a favorite among yogurt lovers. It looks and tastes somewhat similar to sour cream if not more. As such, there are numerous Greek yogurt brands that have become popular in the U.S. The following information introduces some of the most popular brands and their features.
Top Brands of Greek Yogurt
Before we get started, for those of you who don’t know what Greek yogurt is, let me tell you that it is a type of strained yogurt which is made by extracting the whey out of the yogurt. The process of making Greek yogurt is pretty standard, which typically increases its nutrition facts. When you compare Greek yogurt vs. regular yogurt, you will come to know that Greek yogurt contains twice the protein content than regular yogurt. It is rich in calcium and free from cholesterol and saturated fats. It is the prime reason why substitution of regular yogurt with Greek yogurt has become a sort of trend in the western countries.
Chobani
The word Chobani is derived from the Turkish word shepherd. Chobani is one of the most popular Greek yogurt brands in the U.S. for its extreme thickness and rich taste. According to the manufacturers, Chobani Greek yogurt is low sugar, hormone free, and 100% natural. It features different types of yogurt that are flavored as well as plain.
The low fat version of Chobani yogurt contains 100 calories per serving while the flavored contains about 140 calories. Being gluten free it is Kosher certified and is approved by the USDA standards in Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Streptococcus thermophilus, probiotic cultures of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei and Bifidus. Chobani is also said to be safe for people who usually experience food allergies from products like soy, corn, and nuts.
Fage
Fage is another most popular brand in the U.S., which is manufactured by one of the biggest dairy product companies of Greece – Fage. It’s popular for its state-of-art yogurt making technology that produces about 500 million yogurt pots per year. Available in 0% as well as 2% fat versions, the 0% yogurt contains 120 calories per serving, while the 2% contains 150 calories per serving. According to the manufacturers, Fage is 100% natural, with no additives. Made of raw organic milk only, it is 100% gluten free and is a great source of protein for vegetarians, pregnant women, diabetics, and people who are suffering with gluten intolerance.
Oikos Organic
Another most popular brand when it comes to organic products is made using fresh organic milk from select family farms while the flavored yogurt is made from organic fruits only. Similar to Chobani, Oikos is also made using five of the important and USDA recommended active cultures. This brand was the first certified organic Greek yogurt in the U.S. market. Oikos doesn’t contain any artificial flavoring, preservatives, hormones, antibiotics or genetically modified organisms. It is also low on lactose count hence, is beneficial for health conscious people.
Dannon
Due to its nutritional value, lots of people are switching to it. Dannon is one of the thicker brands of yogurt which is rich, creamy, and great to taste. Along with a plain flavor, it’s also available in blueberry, strawberry, and honey vanilla. Its 0% fat version is healthy and beneficial for the overall health of a person. One 5.2 oz container of Dannon plain Greek yogurt contains roughly 130 calories, 12g protein and 16g sugar. Marketed as the ‘fruit on the bottom’ yogurt, it is popular for its natural fruit flavors. However, some people complain about its sugar and sodium content hence, consult your health care provider before consuming it, especially if you’re suffering from high cholesterol or diabetes.
The Greek God Non-Fat Plain
This particular yogurt is considered to be slightly sweeter than the rest along with being relatively mild flavored and leaving a taste that might remind someone of honey. This zero-fat yogurt contains approx 60 Kcal along with 6g of protein in a serving size of 170g. This brand of yogurt contains no additives that may cause a reaction, though it does contain lactose, hence, might not be the right choice for lactose intolerant people.
Brown Cow
According to a panel of tasters that tasted various brands of yogurt, this particular Yogurt scored pretty high with most. It’s got the best texture among a lot of yogurts and is also considered to be the least sour of all Greek yogurts. It’s relatively mild in taste hence, a hardcore Greek yogurt lover may not approve of it too much. However, it is all natural and is made only from cows milk that are not fed growth hormones. A serving size of 150g contains 0% fat, 80 calories and roughly 30% proteins. Contains all the USDA approved bacteria cultures.
Some other popular brands of Greek yogurt include: Yoplait Greek yogurt, Voskos Greek Yogurt, Cascade Fresh Greek Style Yogurt, and Trader Joe’s Brand Greek Style Yogurt. If you know how to make Greek yogurt at home, try to follow that and keep improving on the flavors and texture. You can use the homemade Greek yogurt the way you want and enjoy its bountiful benefits!