# Greek Yogurt: What's the big deal? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 5, 2017, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greek-yogurt-whats-the-big-deal/785920 "2017-05-05T15:55:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2017, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greek-yogurt-whats-the-big-deal/785920/1 "2017-05-05T15:55:41Z")
One of my standard breakfasts is to cut up some fruit and/or berries, add yogurt, stir, and eat. Delicious and healthy. I use nonfat, organic yogurt. The nonfat tastes fine to me, and I usually try to buy organic meat and dairy products. I haven’t seen organic Greek yogurt, so I don’t buy it, but I figured one container ain’t gonna kill me, so I bought some nonfat Greek yogurt this week and had that with my fruit and berries. It was OK, but I’m not tasting much difference. So, if you’re a fan of Greek Yogurt, what am I missing? I hear about how great it’s supposed to be, but I’ve never heard exactly why it’s supposed to be so great. Is it a health thing? A taste thing? Both? Something else? ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2017, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greek-yogurt-whats-the-big-deal/785920/2 "2017-05-05T15:56:57Z")
It’s thicker, tangier, and has more protein, I believe. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2017, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greek-yogurt-whats-the-big-deal/785920/3 "2017-05-05T15:58:46Z")
It did seem to be slightly creamier, but only the tiniest bit. Now, I may be screwing with the program by insisting on nonfat, so I’ll freely admit that! ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2017, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greek-yogurt-whats-the-big-deal/785920/4 "2017-05-05T16:17:35Z")
Greek yogurt is just strained yogurt. Take some regular yogurt, put it in a cheesecloth-lined colander and let excess whey drip out of it, and you get Greek yogurt. The main difference is texture. Also better for cooking with, when you don’t want excess moisture. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2017, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greek-yogurt-whats-the-big-deal/785920/5 "2017-05-05T16:20:41Z")
BTW, I bought Chobani brand, if that makes a difference. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2017, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greek-yogurt-whats-the-big-deal/785920/6 "2017-05-05T16:20:51Z")
Originally Greek yogurt had a higher fat content than the current 5% or so. It’s also had much of the whey removed. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2017, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greek-yogurt-whats-the-big-deal/785920/7 "2017-05-05T16:22:56Z")
Less sugar, more protein. More satisfying. ---
**Author:** ![Casey1505](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2017, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greek-yogurt-whats-the-big-deal/785920/8 "2017-05-05T16:48:07Z")
Try Wegman’s brand if you have one in the area. Talk about creamy! ---
**Author:** ![teela\_brown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2017, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greek-yogurt-whats-the-big-deal/785920/9 "2017-05-05T17:00:53Z")
I like it because it has a nice thick, unctuous texture. It really feels like biting into something with substance, as opposed to the soupier kinds of yogurt. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2017, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greek-yogurt-whats-the-big-deal/785920/10 "2017-05-05T17:07:22Z")
A lot of people like it, and even prefer it. It’s less sweet and tangier than regular yogurt. The extra protein is a plus, but flavor is what attracts people (or not). ---
**Author:** ![MoonMoon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moonmoon/32/2959_2.png) [@MoonMoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MoonMoon)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2017, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greek-yogurt-whats-the-big-deal/785920/11 "2017-05-05T17:14:55Z")
> [@teela\_brown](#): > > I like it because it has a nice thick, unctuous texture. It really feels like biting into something with substance, as opposed to the soupier kinds of yogurt. This is it for me, too. Really good Greek, Australian or Icelandic yogurt is miles better and more satisfying than a Dannon soupy, filler-y mess. Speaking of fillers, why are you getting non-fat, **John Mace**? Enjoy life and eat full-fat dairy. Fat isn’t the boogeyman any longer. ---
**Author:** ![BeeGee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b5a626/32.png) [@BeeGee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeeGee)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2017, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greek-yogurt-whats-the-big-deal/785920/12 "2017-05-05T17:25:09Z")
I also use and enjoy the non-fat. Fat may not be the boogeyman, but if you’re supposed to eat low-fat per your doctor’s instructions, then non-fat greek yogurt is a pretty good choice. Yeah, Susan Powter and her fat free everything kick was wrong. But too many people have swung too far the other way in my opinion. I browse recipes on yummly where people are using a quarter cup of olive oil plus butter. That’s too much fat. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2017, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greek-yogurt-whats-the-big-deal/785920/13 "2017-05-05T17:30:11Z")
I like the texture (it is thicker and creamier) but for me the kicker is the extra protein. I like that it has more and will help balance the carbs. ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2017, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greek-yogurt-whats-the-big-deal/785920/14 "2017-05-05T17:42:39Z")
Chobani’s Greek yogurt is poor quality, in my experience. Really no different from regular yogurt. Fage will give you a better idea of what people mean when they rave about the texture. For flavor, my favorite is Greek Gods, available in nonfat and full fat versions at my local Wally World. ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2017, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greek-yogurt-whats-the-big-deal/785920/15 "2017-05-05T17:50:03Z")
I hate the texture of Greek yogurt for all the reasons you all love it (thicker! creamier!) but I like the less sugar and more protein. So, Yoplait has come up with a whipped Greek yogurt which satisfies my need for less pasty texture and still has lower sugar/higher protein. The coconut macaroon flavor is awesome. ---
**Author:** ![Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/6bbea6/32.png) [@Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Living_Well_Is_Best_Revenge)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2017, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greek-yogurt-whats-the-big-deal/785920/16 "2017-05-05T18:06:22Z")
I like the Siggi’s brand. it’s Icelandic I think. Good stuff. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2017, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greek-yogurt-whats-the-big-deal/785920/17 "2017-05-05T18:08:56Z")
I just noticed Siggi’s in my grocery store last night. I’ll have to check it out. I tried some other brand (I usually eat Chobani) and it was scary bad. But now I can’t remember what it was so I only ever buy Chobani 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2017, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greek-yogurt-whats-the-big-deal/785920/18 "2017-05-05T18:11:45Z")
Speaking of yogurt, what is the best kind to have with Indian food? All the brands I’ve ever bought are too sweet to be served as a side with spicy food. ETA: I want a nice bland yogurt that cuts the spiciness without being too sweet. The way mum used to serve it. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2017, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greek-yogurt-whats-the-big-deal/785920/19 "2017-05-05T18:23:59Z")
You need plain yogurt, which is in no way sweet. Not VANILLA yogurt, **PLAIN**. I can’t imagine that any would be better or worse than another. As long as it’s plain. ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2017, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greek-yogurt-whats-the-big-deal/785920/20 "2017-05-05T18:27:10Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Now, I may be screwing with the program by insisting on nonfat, so I’ll freely admit that! Try whole milk or 2% next time. Much creamier and tastier. Fage brand is the best I’ve tried. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greek-yogurt-whats-the-big-deal/785920.md?page=2)