I haven’t met a brand of Greek yogurt I didn’t like, so when Chobani PR company asked if I’d like to sample and review their latest flavors - pomegranate (non-fat) and pineapple (low-fat), I couldn’t resist. Gimme, gimme!
About Chobani Greek yogurt
- Their yogurts have no refined sugar, artificial sweeteners, preservatives, or hormone-treated milk.
- They’re packed with protein! One serving (6 oz.) of Chobani no fat Greek yogurt contains 18 grams of protein and 100 calories, while a similar amount of plain no fat yogurt (for example, Dannon’s) has 8 grams of protein and 80 calories. (Different brands of regular plain yogurt will differ in calorie and protein content.)
- Chobani Greek yogurts are made with five live and active cultures, including three different strains of health-promoting probiotics.
- Their Greek yogurt is high in calcium, providing 20% of your daily requirement.
- Their fruit yogurts contain real fruit, not flavorings, and are lightly sweetened with evaporated cane juice.
- Chobani is available nationally for MSRP $1.59/6oz cup at Whole Foods Market, Costco, Sam’s Club and regional supermarkets across the country.
The Nichols Family Taste Test
Chobani sent out two 6 oz. cups each of the plain, no fat, the 0% fat pomegranate and the 2% fat pineapple. The 0% pomegranate has just 140 calories, 0 grams of fat, and 14 grams of protein per six ounces. It’s flavored with whole pomegranate seeds and cane sugar.
Chobani ’s 2% pineapple has real pineapple chunks and only 160 calories, 2.5 grams of fat, and 13 grams of protein per six-ounce cup. Surprisingly, it is the only pineapple Greek yogurt available in US markets. (Chobani also offers 0% peach, strawberry, blueberry, vanilla, honey and plain, as well as 2% plain Greek yogurt.)
I tried out all the flavors sent to me. I had my husband try the pineapple and the kids try it out the pomegranate and pineapple.
Husband’s reaction: still prefers his Horizon Organic low fat yogurt. While he likes the texture of Greek yogurt, he finds it too sour. Finally, something he likes that’s cheaper than the alternative. (Horizon Organic yogurt is about 79-99 cents at our supermarket.)
Kids’ reaction: Both liked the pineapple a lot and weren’t bothered by the sourness of the Greek yogurt, which tastes more like sour cream than plain yogurt. However, Nathan hated the pomegranate. The seeds grossed him out and he dug them out of the yogurt so he wouldn’t have to eat them. Then again, he’s the kid who digs out the chicken out of Campbell’s chicken noodle soup and the meat out of spaghetti sauce.
My reaction – I’m a plain jane
As I said previously, I haven’t met a Greek yogurt that I haven’t liked. The pineapple was yummy, though I try to stay away from any yogurt – regular or Greek – that isn’t zero fat. Honestly, I cannot detect the difference between 0% and 2%. However, I have eaten a brand that was 10% fat, which was amazing on the palette (creamy!) if not on the hips.
The Chobani pomegranate Greek yogurt was delicious, though I agree with Nathan that having the seeds in it was weird and detracted from the creaminess of the yogurt. Liking pomegranate seeds is an acquired taste and it prevents you turning the yogurt into a fruit dip or using it in a recipe. I would have preferred it flavored with pomegranate juice instead.
My preference was for the plain 0% Chobani Greek yogurt. It’s a terrific base for a snack or meal, whether I add some honey or agave nectar, a tablespoon of jam, or dump the contents over a bowl of berries from the garden. Plain Greek yogurt is great in mashed potatoes or on potato pancakes, too.
To learn more about Chobani, check out their website for recipes and coupons.
