Yogurt--American brands similar to European
 

I've never been a huge yogurt fan, but the kinds I've had in Europe seem more appealing to me than the stuff I've had in the US. Does anyone know which nationwide American brands might be more like European brands? Thanks.

What was it about the yogurt you ate in Europe which made it "more appealing?"

Higher fat content!

Perhaps creamier and not as sweet.

I can't address the higher fat content issue but that always seems to makes things teaste better.

"Not as sweet"...???I assume we aren't talking about plain yogurt here.

I'm serious, I think it is when the yogurt is made from cream instead of from milk

I don't know about national US brands, but try a full-fat Greek yogurt if you can find it. Sometimes you can find yogurt made from Jersey milk - 5% fat content.

Hi J,

>..which nationwide American brands might be more like European brands?<

Unlikely to be any of them.

Try Stoneyfield Farms. It's all natural, at least.

((I))

Do you have a Trader Joe's in your neck of the woods? They sell real Greek yogurt that's excellent. It comes with a little pouch of Greek honey...delicious.

I agree that most American yogurt tastes terrible compared to just about any European brand.

If you have a Trader Joe's near you I know they carry a couple European brands. I agree with Suze, it's fat content that makes it creamier. And I agree with you that it isn't as sweet. I think most domestic brands add a lot of flavorings that aren't as pleasant as the more simple fruit and sugar types.

Now why did you guys have to start this thread...Now I am missing the Greek yogurt and Greek honey I had in Greece last October.

I still have some Greek honey I brought back with me but alas....no greek yogurt...

You guys are just mean...now I can't get this out of my head....

Can you find goat's milk yogurt? We love it and found some excellent small provider of it from northern California that were sold in better supermarkets in Portland, OR.
Also, what about Whole Foods?
We find tremendous variety among European yogurt makers. There is a difference between Greek and Swiss yogurt, between Swiss and French, etc. And even bigger differences between the large scale producers (Danone) and the small "artisanal" yogurt makers.
It's true, many types of European yogurt have more fat, so I'm glad they're sold in smaller containers.

Here are some possibilities:
http://www.strausmilk.com/index.php?mod=products (sold at Whole Foods)
http://www.juicersforless.com/produc...oducts_id/1688 (for help on making your own)
http://www.redwoodhill.com/yogurt.htm
http://www.sevenstarsfarm.com/

I too agree that the yogurt in Europe usually tastes much better; creamier and a little less sweet. Unfortunately I haven't found anything here that comes even close, but I'll have to check out the Greek yogurt at Trader Joe's!

Tracy

Total yogurt is widely available in the US; even Trader Joe carries it. Imported from Greece, it is sold in full-fat, low-fat, non-fat, and sheep-milk versions and is a staple in my house. It is equal to any I have had in Western Europe outside of Greece itself.

I completely agree with you about the yogurt tasting better in Europe. I lived in France a few years ago and I never had a yogurt that tasted like ours here, even Yoplait and Dannon taste different here.
The closest to French yogurt we have here in the US is Dannon La Creme. That is the only one I will buy. It's similar to the "fromage frais" flavored with fruit.

When we returned to the US, we were having withdrawal symptoms without Greek yogurt and honey for breakfast. We found FAGE yogurt and honey at Wild Oats. It is from Greece and tastes wonderful!

Had to peek at this one as I sit with my breakfast of goat's milk yogurt, bannana, blueberries and granola.
I've never met a yogurt that I didn't like. The goat's milk yogurt from Trader Joe's is a bit sharp but I love it. Every so often I've found another one there that is a European brand and it's rich and creamy, really high fat. So high, in fact the fat is measured by tablespoon on the lablel.
I don't know what type of yogurt you've tried but perhaps if you try organic brands at your local healthy foods store you'll find something sastifying. Or a small enthic market might offer more varities. Check the label, some of the commercial brands don't have live cultures.

What a coincidence; our local paper had an article toay about a Trader Joes's that just opened in our area this week. I haven't been to Greece in 30 years, so it's not Greek yogurt I'm referring to. But, thanks for the tip anyway since there is a Greek food store not more than a mile away.

I'm sad to hear that so many of you think it is the high fat content that makes European yogurt so appealing. I was hoping for a lower fat choice. thanks for all the tips.

Yes, FAGE is the company that makes the TOTAL brand. They are excellent. Even better are the yogurts available at farmer's markets. Most of the stuff on the shelves in the large supermarkets does not even have the lactobacillus in it...real garbage.

Have you ever tried making yoghurt yourself? My mum used to make it using a vacuum flask when I was little and it was lovely. All you need is milk and a little live yoghurt (to kick-start the process).

You can then add sugar, cream, stewed fruit, berries, etc. to taste.

Have a look at this article, for instance:http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Article968.html