What is Greek yogurt?
Back in 2007, Greek yogurt accounted for about 1% of US yogurt sales; by 2014, Greek yogurt accounted for 50% of the yogurt market. In the US, many yogurt products are labeled as Greek yogurt because they are Greek style; however, these yogurt products are produced in the US.
In 2013, a UK court issued an injunction prohibiting Chobani from describing its products, which are produced in New York, as Greek. Chobani argued that “Greek yogurt” describes the manufacturing process – the straining. The UK High Court ruled that the term Greek yogurt can only be used by a yogurt product produced in Greece.
While there is a lack of consensus about what can be called Greek yogurt, it is known that Greeks have been eating “Greek” yogurt for hundreds of years. Traditional Greek yogurt is commonly made with sheep’s milk. Because there are few dairy cows in Greece, the cow’s milk yogurt found in Greece is often made with milk imported from neighboring countries. Greek frozen yogurt is made with fresh Greek yogurt, resulting in a thicker, richer and more indulgent frozen yogurt with a distinctive taste.
Frozen Yogurt Scene in Greece
Frozen yogurt in Greece is generally made with fresh Greek cow’s milk yogurt. Froyo, which opened in Athens in 2010, claims to the first frozen yogurt store in Greece. The first location was a small shop with counter serve service. After Froyo, hundreds of frozen yogurt shops opened in Greece.
The largest Greek frozen yogurt chain, Chillbox, started in Greece and expanded abroad to Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Russia, Romania, Sweden, and Turkey. The first US location, which has a self-serve format, opened in Manhattan late last year.
We interviewed Jonathan Williams, CEO of Medlicious Foods (http://medliciousfoods.com/) and director of Go Greek Yogurt, @GoGreekYogurt, the acclaimed Greek yogurteria in Beverly Hills, CA, to learn more about the frozen yogurt scene in Greece. Medlicious Foods imports quality food products from Greece. Jonathan grew up in a small village in Crete and travels to Greece frequently.
He feels that Greek frozen yogurt shops are Americanized, offering indulgent flavors and toppings like candy and fudge because the younger generation of Greeks have grown fond of American food and the shops that opened are influenced by American style frozen yogurt shops. About half of the frozen yogurt shops in Greece are self-serve and the market has become oversaturated with frozen yogurt shops. Greeks prefer sweet flavors like chocolate and caramel with a generous amount of toppings. Independent Greek frozen yogurt shops often also offer fresh yogurt and gelato.
We’ve compiled pictures of Greek frozen yogurt shops onto our Pinterest board, Froyo Shops in Greece. Friends of ours who went to Greece recently contributed most of the pictures. These friends also had the following firsthand observations about frozen yogurt in Greece:
Authentic Greek Frozen Yogurt in the US at Go Greek Yogurt
According to Jonathan Williams, the best and most authentic Greek yogurt and frozen yogurt is found at Go Greek Yogurt in Beverly Hills, CA. Go Greek Yogurt imports its yogurt from Athens, Greece and serves it fresh or as frozen yogurt. Go Greek Yogurt offers healthier premium toppings including fresh fruits, exotic fruits (when in season), Greek olive oil cookies, superfoods like chia seeds and flaxseeds, imported Greek honey and Greek toppings like strawberry, sour cherry, quince, rose petal and carrot preserves. The store’s philosophy is based on high quality (letting the product speak for itself) and a healthful orientation.
Go Greek Yogurt’s distinctive taste has earned an extremely loyal fan base; some customers come in every day. It is more expensive (the frozen yogurt is 70 cents an ounce) but the taste and texture set it apart from the competition. The frozen yogurt is impossibly thick and creamy yet not heavy. The yogurt taste is unmistakable. It’s less sweet and more “yogurty.” The most popular frozen yogurt flavors are plain, chocolate and honey.
Go Greek Yogurt opened a little over a year ago and has been inundated with franchise requests. Look for the next Go Greek Yogurt in Topanga, CA and expect to see additional locations in health conscious areas in Southern California.
Jonathan believes that the glory days of authentic, healthful Greek food and Greek frozen yogurt in the US are still to come with Go Greek Yogurt setting the standard for quality Greek yogurt and frozen yogurt.
Go Greek Yogurt: 452 N. Bedford Dr., Beverly Hills, CA 90210, www.GoGreekYogurt.com
[social_share style=”bar” align=”horizontal” heading_align=”inline” facebook=”1″ twitter=”1″ google_plus=”1″ linkedin=”1″ pinterest=”1″ /]
