Authentic Greek Yogurt

[carlitguy]

I finally found a yogurt comparable to what they serve in Greece. It is call Liberte and is made in Quebec and available at Safeway. Only problem is that it has 15 g of fat per serving of 175 g.
Dean in Canada

[Jetgirly]

I would like to express my newfound love of PC Blue Label Greek Yogurt ummmm... "ice cream bars"? The honey flavor is awesome. It's not authentic Greek yogurt, and it's not authentic ice cream, but it's SO GOOD.

[cellophane_star]

I just saw a local Greek yogurt at Co-op. it's Bles Wold brand from lacombe, AB. I used to like their regular plain yogurt but haven't had it since I discovered Liberte Greek. If anyone tries the Bles Wold stuff, let me know if it's good!

[23skidoo]

I haven't had the Bles-Wold Greek yogurt, but their regular single-serving plain yogurt is pretty bad. It's thin and has way, way too much sugar. You might as well get Yoplait. I prefer Astro.

[newJJD]

Agree with the positive reviews of PC Greek Style Yogurt. Good quality yogurt.

I notice that there are some reviews of Greek Gods, and while they are tasty, they are NOT greek style. Greek style is thick from being strained or pressed, while Greek Gods uses pectin to thicken theirs. That is also the reason that Greek Gods has less than half as much protein per serving than Liberte Greek, PC Greek and others that are made via straining.

Nothing personal against Greek Gods, but it is not truly greek style and should not cost as much.

[summersupper]

Sincerely doubt this yogurt is anywhere near *authentic* Greek yogurt, but Coop has new Danone "greek yogurt" Oikos on sale 2/$6.98 -- good deal for greek yogurt in Calgary!

Going to try it out today!

[livetocook]

So, do you like it? I've tried both the honey and the strawberry and like neither. The honey is way too sweet and the strawberry has some sort of taste to it, like an odd artificial after taste. I can't quite put my finger on it but, it's off putting to say the least.

[nutellaluvr]

I've tried the Oikos plain, organic plain, and strawberry. I think the strawberry is a weaker offering, which is not to say there's not enough fruit in the bottom, it's just not very strawberry-ish. And it sooo isn't Fage. Personally, I'll stick with Liberte as even the 0% plain IMO is richer/creamier than Oikos.

[sharonanne]

The honey is just weird. I don't know what is on the bottom but it has absolutely no taste. The texture is good but can't get past the taste.

[Jasz]

I've had a hard time finding my usual Liberté lately (not sure why) so I picked up some of the blueberry Oikos and really liked it. Creamy and tasty.

[nutellaluvr]

Safeway has recently added a Fage-like offering from Skotidakis. There are two flavours, Honey, and Blueberry/Pomegranate. The "jam" is separate like Fage, and the yogurt is 0%. IMO it isn't quite as creamy as Fage, but a solid offering it is. I'll be heading back for more, even if it is $2.19 per container!

[Jasz]

Yeah I picked up a couple of those yesterday too— I have a medical condition that is kept in check by eating yogurt (I guess it could be worse) so I'm always on the lookout for new yumminess!
I haven't tried them yet—got one of each—but I'll let you know what I think once I do.

[cellophane_star]

I agree. It's not quite Fage-good but it's a decent substitute for authentic Greek yogurt. If they offered it in tubs, I may be persuaded to switch from my preferred brand (Liberte).

[Jasz]

Sobey's (at least the one in Strathcona) is now carrying the utterly amazing 0% Liberté Greek yogourt in little 100g cups; they have several flavours including blueberry, peach & passionfruit and strawberry. They also have a wicked selection of the 500g tubs in everything from plain, vanilla, and honey, to mango&orange, date& fig, blueberry...Everyone go and buy some so they keep selling it!

[anonymoose]

Costco had the little ones too! I was surprised.

[josey124]

Do they come in plain only too?

[Jasz]

Unfortunately not in the little cups, just in the tub.

Btw, Liberté has a chart that compares several common Greek-style yogurt (Greek Gods, Olympic Krema, Astro, PC, Skotidakis and Danone Oikos and their own of course) in the areas of M.F, protein, calcium, calories, probiotic, strained and ingredients. Worth a look—too bad they can't compare for taste ; )
http://www.liberte.ca/sn_uploads/fck/...

[josey124]

Too bad the small ones are so handy.

Love the chart. Thanks a lot!!!

[sharonanne]

So we went to Edmonton and ate at Koutouki. We had yogurt and honey for dessert. The yogurt was so thick it looked like ice cream and it was properly tangy. Very tangy but not sour. My husband and I were fighting over the last bits of it yet neither of us can say whether the honey was good because the yogurt was SO good. I asked the waiter whether they make their own yogurt. He said they don't but he promised I could buy it at the Italian Centre. He said they sell it in large buckets and call it pressed yogurt.

This makes sense to me. The French don't call pommes frite French Fries and we don't call back bacon Canadian bacon.

I went to the Italian Centre on Monday and they had NOTHING labelled anything near 'pressed yogurt'. They had a lot of feta cheese in large buckets. They had one brand of 'macedonian yogurt' but it had flavours like strawberry. The rather aggressive woman who seemed to be in charge of the dairy section denied ever hearing of pressed yogurt though she was willing to tell me how to strain yogurt. I know how to do that, it doesn't help the tangy part.

I'll keep on eating Liberte but it still isn't quite right and I cannot find Santorini honey. If anyone sees thyme honey, please let me know. I have been told the wild thyme is what makes the Santorini honey special but Kalamata Grocery doesn't carry it.

[cellophane_star]

Thyme honey is actually from the Greek island of Syros. I bought a 500 mL jar when I was there last month. It cost 10 euros because pure thyme honey is considered a delicacy.

I stopped by Kalamata two weeks ago and noticed they sold honey from Crete. Not quite the same as thyme honey but still pretty good.

[sharonanne]

I probably worded that badly. When we asked what makes Santorini honey special we were told it was the island wild thyme. Good to know that other islands have something similar.

I bought a honey from Kalamata that was good, the name starts with an 'A'. It's just not Santorini honey so I thought thyme honey would be the closest.

[Roarasaur]

Greek yogurt is something that I've only discovered in the last 2-3 months of my life. Before this I was eating regular strawberry or vanilla yogurt and would eventually forget about it in the fridge until it eventually expires. But after my first few bites of greek yogurt, I've been hooked and end up buying a pack or two of greek yogurt every week. Even more now that berries are in season (and super cheap).

[slingshotz]

Superstore has been carrying Greek Gods and I've been getting more addicted to it than Liberte. They don't have the same amount of flavours yet but the honey is amazing. I'd say it's on par with Fage.

http://www.greekgodsyogurt.com

[livetocook]

Greek Gods is THE best greek yogurt I've tasted. I've been buying it for a baby girl for well over a year now. I've seen it at Planet O and Save On. Good, good stuff. Nothing like 15% MF yogurt O_O

[Lingcullen]

the only thing greek about this yogurt is the name. the process is not the same at all, and thus the outcome is not the same. You do not have the protein count that real greek yogurt has. no way i could justify 15% MF if it didnt have all that protein coming with it.

[cellophane_star]

I just got back from Greece where I ate Greek yogurt every day. I can tell you what ISN'T at all like authentic Greek yogurt: The Greek Gods. Not enough tang or texture.

Before my trip, I used to always buy Liberte's 0% Greek Yogurt and I still think it's a decent substitute. I look forward to trying PC's variety, as well as a few others to determine the best one!

I think Fage is the best but unfortunately not available in Canada (yet...?)

[carlitguy]

It is hard to believe this post I started almost 3 years ago is still alive and will be 3 years old on June 20th!
Dean in Red Deer

[josey124]

That tells you how desperate people are to find great yogurt! Thanks for starting the thread on my birthday ;-) I am slightly older though.

[tibbles]

I just tried the President's Choice Greek yogurt, plain, 0% M.F., and I think that it is comparable to Fage. In fact, I suspect that it is made by Fage; it is almost like cream cheese. Fantastic.

[anonymoose]

Really? I found the PC was less sour and the texture was not quite the same. I think Fage is... fluffier? Not quite sure how to describe it.

[sharonanne]

I tried the PC yogurt with honey. I liked the texture but it was hard to judge the taste with the honey mixed in instead of on the side. Also, Greek honey is pretty distinctive. I'll try the plain next. I have high hopes.

[Roarasaur]

I look forward to seeing what you have to say about the plain yogurt. I usually buy the plain yogurt and just add a drizzle of honey but when I saw the PC yogurt with honey, I was eager but scared to try it as it had what had seemed like a lot of sugar.

[josey124]

Same here! I always add honey myself and when I saw the PC yogurt with honey in the store I wasn't sure how much they put in. Is it very sweet?

[sharonanne]

It's not super sweet. I just don't like the honey mixed in, I guess. You don't get that mix of sour and sweet that I like when you add your own honey. The texture is good though so plain might be the answer.

[Roarasaur]

I'd just like to inform you guys that at the moment, the Superstore at the Coventry Hills location is selling the PC yogurt with honey for $1.99 (limit 4). The second I saw this I thought it was some promo that was over because the price tag was faded and another price tag in a different section had it displayed as $3.99. I was ready to argue this price at the register if it ended up being $3.99 instead of $1.99 but it ended up being alright. I feel like the lady in the Ikea commercial who got a steal of a deal. So if you want to try the yogurt with honey, now is the time to try it. I ended up buying four.

I might go back tomorrow and get some more because they don't expire for another month. I think I will give up the sweet and sour mix of my usual yogurt for a month for cheap and healthy blast of protein.

[anonymoose]

So I tried the honey one. I found it a little sweet too. Does anyone find it has an aftertaste from the honey they used? I like the quality of the honey that I use at home better than the one that is included.

[josey124]

Has anybody seen this Free Cheese (Quark) product from Liberte in Calgary?
http://www.liberte.ca/en/quark-cheese...

[josey124]

Oops Fresh Cheese of course...

[josey124]

I bought some Liberte and PC's 0% greek yogurt. Liberte is a nice, creamy yogurt. Thanks for the tip. The PC 0% greek yogurt however is - OMG - like European quark. I LOVE IT. Thanks so much!!! I was looking for quark for years and never found something even close. I hope Superstore is prepared to stock a lot of that greek yogurt. I am going to clear the shelves everytime I am there. :-)
Thanks guys! Nothing beats discussions on Chowhound!

[anonymoose]

I haven't seen Liberte but I have seen other brands of quark in the various grocery stores.

[Scary Bill]

Superstore is advertising Greek yogurt in the latest "Insider's Report".

[anonymoose]

I was in Save on Foods last night and they not only had the Liberte Greek 0% plain and vanilla, but also the strawberry and blueberry! There was a price tag for the blackberry as well, but none on the shelf.

[josey124]

Is Liberte without gelatine?

[Jasz]

Yup for the 0% fat plain Greek one: the only ingredients listed are skim milk and bacterial cultures.

[josey124]

Awesome! Thanks!

[sagerussell]

If you are fortunate enough to live near a Trader Joe's, they carry three Greek style yogurts. Check this thread:

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/320166

The low-fat Greek style yogurt, turquoise container, is the closest thing I've found.
Throw some walnuts and honey on it and you've got breakfast, or what I saw on a menu in Paros called "night magic"
Fage is darn good too.

[maplesugar]

Thanks sagerussell but Trader Joe's hasn't expanded into Canada and Fage is not available up here either.

[Nursed]

Finally the answer ( well sort of) to everybody's prayers!!!! I was dhopping in Superstore this weekend (Pitt Meadows,BC) and they now carry fat free plain Greek yogurt, it is soo good and thick and creamy...130 cals for 3/4c 0 fat 18g protein 12g carbs!!!!!

[Jetgirly]

I heard Costco is carrying Greek yogurt- any idea what kind? (I'm looking for something low-fat.)

[bluther2]

Liberte, and it is good....

[Merry113]

It's Liberte 0% Fat & it is really tasty.

[maplesugar]

Finally got to try Fage 0% while in Vegas earlier this week. I can now say Liberte 0% plain is practically identical! (which is good news since I couldn't figure out how to explain bringing Fage in my carry on to the security people!)

[sharonanne]

I haven't done a head to head test but I agree it's as close as it gets. I always pack my Fage in my checked baggage. Thank goodness that's a thing of the past though I still like Fage cherry as it isn't overly sweet.

[maplesugar]

Heh my comparison was from memory but as far as I can tell mouthfeel, thickness and tanginess are practically the same... the only difference I think is the Fage version seemed to have a little more air incorporated as though it was whipped.

[Jasz]

I had some Fage recently while in London and I agree, it's nearly the same. I think the Liberte is a little more tart but that may be because I was drowning the Fage in the honey the little container came with.

Thanks, sharonanne, you gave me an idea of what to try with my mom's cherry preserves!

[anonymoose]

I agree - Fage is a little less tart and the texture is more whipped, but isn't enough of a difference to make me sad that I am eating the Liberte 0% instead.

[sweeterpea]

LIberte Greek Yogurt is at Costco (Beacon Hill) - not sure of the price in stores, but you get two 500 gram containers for $7.79.

[sharonanne]

Good to know. I think it was around $4 for one container at Amaranth.

[Jasz]

$4.50 at Sobey's. I don't think I saw it at the south Costco—although I'll admit I wasn't looking for it either.
Btw, I just tried some and found it WAY creamier than every other non-fat "yogurt" but still a little on the tart side for my taste—nothing a little honey won't fix.
Thanks to gearcee and everyone else for the rec.

[sweeterpea]

Just came back from doing groceries at Amaranth - $5.69 for 100 gm; they have Vanilla flavor too. For me, it could have a touch more fat in it, but it's a great product. Miss low fat Fage :o(

[Merry113]

They carry the 0% and the 0 % Vanilla at Creekside Co-Op as well. I think it might be a smidge cheaper than the Amaranth price.

My MIL has been looking all over for 0% Greek Liberte & has managed to buy the wrong kind 2 or 3 times. It's becoming comical.

[maplesugar]

That's a good deal. Sobey's is the only place I can get it and they're charging $4.99/500g.

[Lingcullen]

I just found Liberte's fat free greek style yogurt at the downtown Co-op and made some home made spinach dip with it.

I also had a chance to try this stuff just plain on its own as well, I am really surprised at the pleasant taste. Yes, its plain, but it lacks the acrid taste of the plain yogurts I had tried in the past (This is the first greek style I have tried as well).

I am excited to use it for more yummy things...

[Jasz]

I was amazed to discover that the only ingredients are skim milk and bacterial cultures. And a nice wallop of protein to boot.

[Ronstar]

Greek Gods is 10%. Thicker than the liberte anyways. You can get it at Community Natural Foods and online via spud.ca.
That's good fat people, fear not!

[23skidoo]

It's not really "good fat", in that it has cholesterol and saturated fat, but it's tasty.

[nutellaluvr]

I also saw Greek Gods (plain) at Amaranth over the weekend. I didn't think to look at the MF%, but given there was 17g of fat per 175g, it must be about 8% as Liberte's Lemon also shows that count. Amaranth is also carrying Liberte's plan and vanilla Greek Yogurt. Hubby surprised me with the Liberte's Vanilla Greek Yogurt from Sobeys (of all places!). I haven't tried Greek Gods to comment, but both Liberte products have been very good!

[babettesfeast]

The honey variant of Greek Gods was really good, i don't think I can deal with the fat content on a regular basis though. Too bad they only have the regular and honey flavored products in Canada (BC produced). Their US website has other yogurt flavors like fig, pomegranate and honey strawberry as well as Baklava, Chocolate Fig and Honey Pomegranate flavored ice krema and lebni.

[jeffwhit]

Whenever I need greek yogurt I take Astro Balkan Style (which is 6% mf irc) and place it in a sieve lined with a cheap handkerchief (or cheesecloth, but the handkerchief can be washed an reused- a Mike Ruhlman trick) and let it strain in the fridge overnight. That gives me yogurt that has the right texture for tzatziki and such.

[gearcee]

Liberty now makes a 0% Greek yogurt - found it at Community Natural Foods this week.

[Jasz]

And how is it?

[gearcee]

I love it - it has the right thick texture. I think it is close to Fage - at least according to my memory (haven't had it for probably a couple of years).

[Jasz]

Will have to try it then—thanks for the heads up.

[Jetgirly]

I bought some at Amaranth today- the girl at the checkout did a double-take and said, "People are ALWAYS asking us for this! I didn't know we had it!" Haven't tried it yet, though.

[sharonanne]

I got some at Amaranth. I had Fage in April and this is pretty close. It seems a little softer but I just brought it home so it hadn't been in the fridge. My first taste plain seemed a little sour but with a very small amount of honey it was fine.

I think it's closer then anything I've tried but I need to do a head to head comparison and we have no plans to go to the US though I'm willing to pop down in the interest of science.

[Jetgirly]

I went back today to buy some more, and there wasn't any on the shelf. As well, the price sticker had been removed, so I don't think that they were just sold out. The employees said they hadn't seen it in a few weeks. That was a short run!

[sharonanne]

Darn!

[maplesugar]

Check Sobey's! I found some at the Sylvan Lake Sobey's so hopefully that means other locations are also carrying it.

[sharonanne]

Thanks MS. There are even rumours that Fage is coming to Canada. The US Fage website has a spot for postal code in their store locator, not that it worked but I have hope.

[Jasz]

When I contacted them they said it wasn't possible because of our prohibitive customs fees. But maybe they've worked something out. That would rock!

[sharonanne]

I e-mailed them too and got the same answer but that was a while ago and the postal code thing wasn't on the store locator. I was talking to a fellow in the dairy department at my local supermarket and he said the Canadian Dairy Board is good at lobbying.

[Jetgirly]

Back yesterday and the label was back on the shelf but no PLAIN yogurt to be found. They had lots of a new variation - Liberte's 0% Fat VANILLA Greek yogurt. Didn't buy it as I was walking and didn't want to carry yogurt home in the hot sun.

[anonymoose]

Yesterday I found the Liberte 0% plain Greek yogurt - two 500g containers per box - at the west Edmonton Costco! Delicious. Had it with some fruit yesterday, and with honey today.

[Merry113]

Co-Op in Creekside has started to carry the Liberte 0% Greek all the time. So happy!

[SLIMR]

In Edmonton you can find OIKOS Organic Greek Yogurt (0%fat and 15 grams protein) at Sobey's Hawkstone.

[VanGrrl]

I really like the Astro Balkan and have recently discovered the Olympic brand of natural probiotic 3.9% Balkan style yogurt. So tasty!!

[crigg]

yay! I love this yogurt, even the fat free is awesome for sauces, dressings and as a substitute for sour cream, tart and thick. Always in my fridge.

[sharonanne]

After not finding the OIKOS yogurt at my local Sobey's I sent the company an e-mail and OIKOS is not available in Canada.

[VanGrrl]

Now Olympic is making a Greek style thick yogurt called KREMA. It is phenomenal!

[Jasz]

What is the fat content of that yogurt?

[maplesugar]

Couldn't find the nutrition label on their site but it was posted here: http://dailyburn.com/nutrition/olympi...

at first blush it's more "expensive" calorie/fat wise than Liberte

[sharonanne]

28%???

[maplesugar]

18g fat per 175g serving which looks like they've calculated that as being 28% DV - meaning almost 1/3 of the fat a person consuming 2000 cal/day should ingest. Doesn't seem off the mark to me...unfortunately if you're cutting back on calories that percentage is higher.

[VanGrrl]

The Krema yogurt is 11%MF. At least it's not 28%, but it's still high fat ...

[caseygirl]

Thanks for suggestion - got some on sale at Saferway.... fabulous... love it..going back for another container..
11% Fat, - but that is okay, cause I'll have honey with it - so the sugar cuts out the fat :)

(I usually strain the Astro Balkan 6%) however this is a really nice treat!

[nutellaluvr]

Thanks SLIMR, in the hopes that the occasional Sobeys carried OIKOS, I trekked up to Sobeys Royal Oak today as its a newer store and sometimes has higher end product. Sadly, they have no Greek Yogurt, but it was worth a try. You never know.

[leblancp]

I live in Regina and have a hard time finding Greek Yogurt. I do see Astro Balkan yogurt at Sobeys. Is that the same thing? Any other places that sell Greek Yogurt?

[sharonanne]

I know not everyone agrees with me but nothing is like Fage and they have a fat free version that is as good as the full fat but the closest (via Westjet) place to buy it is at the Las Vegas Whole Foods.

I like Liberte too but it's a different beast. I like the middle eastern yogurt from the place on 17th ave and 37 st SW better than the Kalamata version. The market in the NW corner of the CFM has an organic yogurt that is good in its own way. Thinner than Greek but tastes more of fresh milk than many.

Disclaimer: don't consider this a push for Westjet. I don't work for them but someone I am fond of does.

[John Manzo]

sharonanne- I will agree that for fat free, Fage is amazing. But we don't have it here so let's try to focus on what we do!

The place you're referring to on 17th is I think Shaganappi Grocery and it's really outstanding labneh- try it with a drizzle of honey, it's too rich for words and as it's not really labelled it's impossible to know the fat content!

[sharonanne]

You'd know what the place on 17th is called better than me as your suggestion sent me there. Thought it had the phrase "middle eastern" somewhere in the name though. Maybe a sub-title?

I was just pouting about Fage. Been a long time since I did that. <sigh>

[John Manzo]

sharonanne you're just a Fagehag! :)

There are two middle eastern grocers out that way- and seriously, what is the fat content on labneh? It seems evil (delicious but evil).

[Jasz]

Do you mean the one by Liquidation World? My parents shop there all the time—good pita bread—I should ask them to pick me up some yogurt, or labneh as I guess it's called.

[sharonanne]

Yes, the one by Liquidation World. The spices and nuts looked very fresh too.

John, I like Fagehag but would slightly prefer Fage Sage although that would lead to fa - yeh sa - yeh pronunciation. Thanks for the laugh.

[nutellaluvr]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who scopes out the Whole Foods in Vegas! Their dairy section is AMAZING! The whole store is actually, but the selection of yogurt is staggering. I don't think we've missed a grocery (Whole Foods or Bristol Farms specifically) on any trip stateside. If you're in Vegas, it's worth the stop and not out of the way (just out of the airport and south of the Strip). Their Chunky Flax Granola is another item I also bring home. And Newman's Organic Bavarian Pretzels. The list is too long...

[Jasz]

Yeah, Liberté is about as close as you're going to get unless you go to Kalamata Grocery. Btw, authentic Greek yogurt isn't particularly low far either—15 g sounds about right and some of the richer varieties go higher.

As John said, it's available at many grocery stores.

Astro's is pretty good too, especially with a dab of honey.

[John Manzo]

Kalamata HAD a very nice pressed yogurt that was packaged like Fage but I haven't seen it on the shelf for months now. The stuff in the clear plastic containers I would avoid- I threw the entire batch out last time because it tasted strongly of plastic, like when you drink water out of a plastic hose- it tasted toxic.

[Bryn]

They have a 2% variety too. I hear raves about Astro's 6% balkan style yogurt.

[djdragan]

+1 on Astor's Balkan Style. I bought some last week and love it.

[nutellaluvr]

Liberte's Apple Pie flavour is 2.5%, and honestly, it's great. My first experience with Liberte was with their Lemon flavour (8%), and it's so good it's like dessert. Perhaps at 8% that's about right, but regardless, the flavour and consisency is perfect. My husband doesn't like yogurt of any sort. Ever. But he thoroughly enjoys Liberte's Apple Pie. They also offer an Orange & Marzipan flavour which if my recollection is correct is 3.1% MF, and very good. But if you're willing to go with higher fat content for dessert, my vote is for the Lemon or Moka (mocha/cappuccino). Yum!

[John Manzo]

Best yogurt I've ever tasted but yeah it's not exactly fat-free.

It's at many grocery stores- in Calgary it's at Co-op, Safeway and Sunterra and I'm sure others as well.