Greek Yogurt in Calgary

[sharonanne]

I thought it was time to start a Calgary specific thread for this.

I haven't made it out to Frest Lawn for the yogurt recommended by John Manzo nor have I checked the Greek store kittycorner to The Good Earth on 11 st and about 15 ave SW. Has anyone else? I really should since they may also have Santorini honey which I cannot find even at the honey vendor at the Farmer's Market. It's different because the bees have access to wild thyme. I'll try to get there this week.

I see the Vancouverites list another brand - Arvand. I sent an e-mail to Sunterra asking if they have access to that brand.

I'll be in Florida in a couple of weeks but carrying yogurt home from the US is getting old.

[sharonanne]

My latest horde of Fage just ran out and when I was looking for a replacement at Superstore I found that Liberte has a zero fat plain product. Unfortunately, it tastes thin and gritty compared to the luxurious full fat Liberte product. It's in the fridge straining now. That might improve it.

Superstore also carries Baker's Cheese which is low fat and has no added sugar. It's thick, more like cream cheese and quite bland but with some fruit is as close to Fage as I've found though a little less creamy. They call it Baker's Cheese because it is used to make cheesecake.

[sweeterpea]

Sharonanne, how do you bring back Fage from the US? We will be heading down again later this fall and I want to try to bring some back.

[sharonanne]

We buy it on the way to the airport and place it immediately in an insulated bag inside a suitcase. It's always cold when we get home.

My husband's special packing method: he layers the containers with a section of newspaper between each layer then folds the top of the bag over. He says the key is for it to be tight enough not to move and to use a wad of newspaper and not just a sheet or two. He places clothes beneath and on top of the insulated bag which we bought at Trader Joe's. I see Safeway sells them but they are more of a box shape than the TJ envelope..

[sweeterpea]

Thanks!

[maplesugar]

Didn't think this was worth it's own thread but worth a mention anyway...

I'm not a Greek Yogurt expert, but our Starbucks (Taylor Dr Red Deer) is carrying Greek Yogurt & honey cups with a new granola mix for topping. I was thoroughly enjoying mine til I looked at the label and realized my doc wouldnt call it "heart smart" :D

[John Manzo]

Why? There's nothing wrong with full-fat dairy products. All things in moderation!

[sharonanne]

I'd rather save my quota of animal fat for steak because while it is possible to have a good low fat yogurt there is no good low fat steak.

[maplesugar]

My thoughts exactly sharonanne...although imho a good bison tenderloin is a nice lower fat alternative.

I have to say, the Starbucks Greek Yogurt is a whole lot more interesting than their overly sweet low fat fruit & yogurt parfaits

[Jasz]

I'm also liking Olympic's Organic yogurt. They have a creamy, smooth mouth feel and isn't sour at all. Also lower in fat than the totally yummy Liberte and the fruit mixtures aren't sickenly sweet like most. I even like the strawberry even though I normally can't stand it.

[23skidoo]

Does anyone know where Rise bakery gets their greek-style yogurt?

[23skidoo]

I asked today, and apparently they use Liberte.

[Karen. Duplantis]

This board is great...I have been looking for Fage for the last month. I am from Denver and had Fage 0% every morning with fruit...now cannot find it. Tried to strain my own from plain, it was so sour I could only use it as a sour cream sub. Now I know for sure I cannot get it!! Great Falls, MT. would be the closest fairly large town to get it in, if they have it, for someone crossing at Coutts. Now, can you freeze it? Because I could stock up on the next trip home...

[sharonanne]

I wondered about freezing it too but was thinking I might make iced yogurt with an ice cream maker to prevent crystals. Might take some experimentation especially with the low fat version but I'm willing to throw myself into that.

It does last a long time in the fridge, husband brought home the new (to us) peach on the side and it was good. Going to Berkeley in June, printing maps to Whole Foods stores already. I have been known to empty one store's supplies so need backup locations.

[chook]

I normally use Astro brand Balkan natural yogurt when I need a Greek-style yogurt. Anyone know how much different the real stuff is? It's been years since I had real Greek yogurt, and when I found this it seemed very close.

[sharonanne]

Next tine I get some Fage I'll have to host a tasting. Astro is ok but not the same.

[Libertycafe]

Would you also consider adding Liberty/Liberte yogurt to your tasting? I was in a Safeway (Edmonton) on the weekend, was looking for a yogurt that wasn't 0% fat free or sweetened with aspartame. I really dislike the taste of most of the yogurts in the local supermarkets and thought that perhaps if I tried one with more fat content, I might like it better. I picked up a tub of Liberty Mediteranee because the packaging was so plain. Didn't read the label that said 8% fat! But was it ever tasty! I didn't know yogurt could taste so good. I just have to make sure I eat it in very limited amounts.

[pants]

i love Liberty yogurt too but the fruit ones are 14% fat!!! no wonder they taste so good...i'm back to fat free.

anybody know if anyplace in calgary sells island farms (victoria) yogurt? the vanilla is like desert, it's the best ever!!

[John Manzo]

I got to try Fage in SF- the little pack with the honey on the side, really neat packaging- and I'm sorry folks but Liberty is still the best yogurt I've ever tasted. Having said that, I'd kill for the varieties they have in Germany!

[sharonanne]

The one with the honey is their full fat, whatever percentage that is. I'm looking for fat free. Fage fat free is almost as good as their full fat.

[aktivistin]

Jumping on the Liberty love train here--I have tried mocha, blackberry, apple pie, lemon, lower-fat vanilla, and lower-fat plain.A couple of the Safeways--I think Westhills and the 11th Ave locations--carry quite a broad selection of Liberty yogurt. All have been EXCELLENT, even the ones with lower fat. I think it's 2 or 3%. The lower-fat varieties leak a bit more whey, which I strain away (and which likely defeats the purpose of getting low fat in the first place).

The mouthfeel is very creamy and the yogurt is tangy but not sour like Astro's Balkan-style. The consistency of the higher-fat varieties reminds me of a thick creme fraiche or a double-cream. I love the plain or vanilla varieties with some homemade nectarine/apricot preserves and granola from that stand across from Phil & Sebastian's at CFM.

[sharonanne]

Lena's has even more varieties.

[aktivistin]

Oh, thanks for the tip! I'll check out Lena's tomorrow.

[sharonanne]

I just tried the Phoenicia yogurt (3.25% MF) from Shaganappi Grocery which is in the strip mall near 17th ave and 37 st SW by Liquidation World. While thick, it is sour compared to Fage and lacks the smooth mouth feel that even fat free Fage has.

The store is nice and clean though and has a good selection of fresh looking spices, breads and nuts. They also have large bottles of Attika honey for $12.95.

In negotiations now with husband for a trip to Vegas. Wonder how many people go to Vegas for yogurt.

[maplesugar]

Because of the various queries and my own curiousity I emailed FAGE Usa yesterday about availability of their products in Canada and this was their response(which was super quick I might add):

Dear Erica,

Thank you for your e-mail and interest in our FAGE Total Greek yogurts. Unfortunately, due to 100% duty restrictions and quotas on yogurts, we are unable to export to Canada at this time. We are working on finding a solution and hopefully sell in Canada in the near future. In the meantime, I would suggest stocking up with FAGE Total Greek Yogurt on your next trip to NY. I have seen so many Canadian people doing that.

Our Total Greek Yogurts can be found at Wegmans, Hannaford's, Giants, Price Chopper Markets, etc.

If you need any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Thank you for being a loyal customer and we would greatly appreciate it if you could recommend our products to your friends and relatives.

Regards,

Katerina Pappas

FAGE USA, CORP.
25-26 50th Street, Suite# 202
Woodside, NY 11377
Tel: [phone] x 104
Fax: [phone]

[John Manzo]

Thank God "Canada" is next to "New York"!

I think I'll drive down to Wegman's tomorrow to pick some up and bring it back to "Canada."

[maplesugar]

lol I didn't have the heart to point that out to her when I sent her a thank you. I appreciate her getting back to me, although she does lose a few points for that one (gee I wonder where our stereotypes come from heh)

[John Manzo]

Yeah, a quick response is a heck of a lot better than none. But once again we're reminded how far we are from the US border compared to Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver...

[anonymoose]

Are we even allowed to bring dairy over the border? I can see the headlines now - "Foodie charged with yogurt smuggling!"

[sharonanne]

I'm in major trouble if we aren't. I've done it many times and I don't lie to Customs officers.

[anonymoose]

Ok so now I"m curious and had to look it up. ;)
http://cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/p...

[sharonanne]

Thanks.

[8it4dinner]

I used to be able to get Fage yogurt at Zagara's grocey store in in Cleveland, Ohio when I lived there (just before moving to Calgary), so the pertinent question to FAGE USA, CORP should be how far west in the US do they distribute their product. If it's Montana, Idaho or Washington, it might be worth a run to the border! I concur with the rest, after having visited Athens and Mikonos, Fage was the closest to fulfilling my craving for greek-style yogurt.

[sharonanne]

I think the furthest west I have bought Fage is Las Vegas. Since that was at a Whole Foods store I'm betting they carry it at the California stores too. There is a Whole Foods in Seattle but not in Idaho or Montana that I can see.

It's actually easier for me to make a run to Las Vegas but I haven't had enough of a craving to brave airport security. I'll be in the US in April so I'll be returning with that full suitcase.

[Jasz]

Hi Sharonanne,

Kalamata Grocery does indeed carry Greek strained yogurt. I don't recall the brand but the one we get comes in a little pail. Its fat content is rather high for me to consider for daily eating but it makes the most deslish tzatziki. Happy hunting!

[Jasz]

My dad also informs me that they carry Santorini honey too.

[sharonanne]

Thank you so much. I'll get down there as soon as I can.

[alex8alot]

hi sharonanne, please share your thoughts once you do: fage-worthy or no? I have just been straining the liberty organic as a sub. it's hard for me to get down there, but for the right tub, I could swing it!

[sharonanne]

I promise to report back, maybe even compare when I return from Florida. I already have the map to the Ft Lauderdale Whole Foods printed out and in the travel folder.

[alex8alot]

too funny . between the two of us, we could compile a trader joe's/whole foods atlas for distribution to the food-obsessed!

[sweeterpea]

Reading this thread with interest. I strain Liberte too for tzatziki. I had some Delphi honey from our trip to Greece but it is long gone. I'll have to somehow make it down to Kalamata too.

[sharonanne]

Got down to Kalamata Grocery. I picked up a plastic tub of strained Greek yogurt. Looks like it may be packed in house. It was $3.99 for about 500 ml. It's good but it isn't Fage. It is much thicker, more like cream cheese with a more pronounced sour taste than Fage. Not a bad thing at all just different. There is no fat content on the label but I'm betting it is high. It would make an amazing tzatziki. I couldn't eat it every day either.

They also had a more commercial brand. I think it was Astro but since I can get that at Safeway I didn't buy it. There was a sheep's milk yogurt that I will try the next time I go down there.

The honey selection is pretty nice. I read the labels carefully, saw no mention of Santorini but took the one that mentioned wild thyme to the cashier and asked about Santorini honey. He had no idea if they had such a thing but he said he had tried all of the brands they carry and this was the best. The brand was Attika. The three of us think it is as close as we can remember. The honey isn't as sweet as Canadian honey but has a unique aftertaste.

Finally, I picked up some really good bread. Two 10 inch flat rounds well brushed with olive oil. Either really thick pita or round foccacia. Warmed in the oven it was incredible.

What would be really good is the yogurt and honey spread on the warm bread.

[alex8alot]

thanks sharonanne, great info. hmmm. I like the promise of high fat content, but really dislike sour tasting yogurt, hence the FAge obsession. But I will try it out. Hope you had a good trip?

[sharonanne]

This is the response from Sunterra regarding Arvand yogurt.

"I made some calls regarding this product and unfortunately, no-one knows this brand."

Thanks for checking Kalamata.

[John Manzo]

I sorta... forgot. Sorry- now I'm away until next week- hopefully somebody else can solve this mystery before then (return Mon evening)

[sharonanne]

Not a problem. If I get down that way I'll look. It must be time to buy some mizithra cheese and vine leaves anyway.

[John Manzo]

Sharonanne- I'll try to make a point of checking out Kalamata Grocery today. They've done some renos and let's hope it's increased their shelf space.