FAGE Greek Yogurt: I won't eat any other kind of yogurt

 “This is a compensated review from BlogHer and Fage.”

First of all, it's pronounced "Fa-yeh".

I know you've seen FAGE Greek Yogurt in the markets at places like Trader Joe's (where I first discovered it) or Whole Foods.  It is hands-down my favorite yogurt and it's made its way into my grocery basket in some form or another since 2004. Yes, I've been a FAGE fan for going on five years. How do I know it was 2004? Because that's when my second daughter was born. I craved yogurt like crazy during that pregnancy and I'm pretty sure she's made mostly out of 100% natural FAGE Greek Yogurt. That and maybe a marionberry pie or three. (Which goes great with FAGE Greek Yogurt, by the way.)

I have never been much of a yogurt eater, because my mom, the health food freak, always bought the mouth-puckeringly-tangy all-natural stuff when all I wanted was creamy, sugary Yoplait.  Once I moved out of the house, I vowed never to buy yogurt again except for the times when I needed it for tzatziki or smoothies.

Then came my second pregnancy and my discovery of the FAGE.  I bought a container of the plain 2% yogurt, took it home, and promptly devoured it. It was super-thick, creamy and not-at-all tangy.  I think it's the tang that turns many people off about yogurt, including me. I just want my yogurt to be fresh, creamy, and smooth, with just a bare hint of sweetness.  FAGE is all that and more. During that pregnancy, I bought containers of FAGE 4 at a time.  If I only had one left, I'd promptly run out and buy three more. That summer, I made gazpacho almost every day and swirled in the yogurt, sometimes flavored with cumin and lime, sometimes plain, I would cut up cucumbers and chopped up some garlic and fresh dill and slurp it up with a spoon. It was so thick it stood up to anything I put into it and never got watery as yogurt can do.  I put dollops atop cut-up bananas or in my muesli, I could not get enough.  And that is why, when the opportunity came along to review the FAGE yogurt, I said, "Yes! Oh, yes!"

I've always bought the plain FAGE yogurt, usually the 2% which my whole family adores, but my girls also love the FAGE with honey. My mom buys it, too, and it's the first thing they look for in her fridge when they visit her.  The honey is in a separate container and the girls can drizzle it into the plain yogurt as they wish.  FAGE sent us some plain and honey yogurt but they also sent their (new to me) fruited flavors. The fruit is on the side, just as with the honey, and comes in fantastic, fresh-tasting flavors like peach, cherry (always my fave), and strawberry.  The kids have been fighting over who gets to take what flavor in their lunch. It really is that delicious, and it's still all-natural, unsweetened, and preservative-free.

As a mom, I never have to worry about my kids getting calcium or protein because they love their FAGE yogurt so much.  I won't eat any other kind. I use it in everything, and in case you think I'm kidding, here are some of my own favorite recipes for using FAGE Greek Yogurt.  (You can subsitute FAGE Greek Yogurt for any recipe that calls for plain yogurt.)

• CityMama's Butterflied Leg of Lamb with Tzatziki
• Tortilla Roll-ups with Lime-Cilantro Yogurt Dip
• Yogurt Parfaits
• Yogurt-marinated roasted chicken

What I like about it: Everything. It's luscious, creamy, ridiculously thick, and best of all—versatile. I also like that my kids love it.  It's a healthy and tasty treat that I feel good about serving.
What I don't: I wish it came in bigger containers.  Like vats.  Vats would be good.

Cost to you: Around $2-$2.50, but depends on where you buy an size of container
Cost to me: Free, plus I accepted payment for this review because it's a product I believe in, love, and use anyway.

Am I preaching to the Fage Greek yogurt choir here? Do you already love it? How do you eat FAGE? What is your favorite flavor? Why do you love the pure, creamy, ridiculously thick goodness of FAGE yogurt? Leave a comment on this post, sharing your thoughts about FAGE and you could win a free case of FAGE!

There will be a new winner every day!

Comments

[Karen]

what the??? a case of the stuff? whoot!
I can appreciate your yogurt love. We went to Turkey last summer and I could not get enough of the yogurt, luckily they DO sell it by the vat there. I love Fage as it reminds me of the Turkish yogurt - creamy, thick & totally fresh tasting.

[Jenny]

I have eaten Fage since my girls came home about 2.5 years ago. Now I eat every single day for breakfast as I am dieting and it is the perfect balance of indulgence and good for ya low cal breakfast. I have turned other friends on to it as well. I would seriously consider using Fage over sourcream in some recipes.

Delish.

[Tara]

We are major yogurt lovers at our house. Breakfast for my 3 boys usually is fruit and nut granola mixed in yogurt. We have never tried Fage, but will have to make a trip to Whole Foods Market to pick some up!

[Gena OBrien]

Oh my I LOVE LOVE LOVE this stuff.

I eat it with granola and honey--or in a frooty smoothie.
Also yummy with red grapes and strawberries.
MMMMMM.
SUPER HIGH CALCIUM=excellent for Mamas

[Suebob]

Dude, get some Straus Family whole milk organic. (Also the large red carton organic yogurt at Trader Joes). Drain it for a couple hours. And voila. It is the best thing I have ever tasted, and for $2.99 you can make about twice as much yogurt at the F brand. It is from Nor Cal, too, so for you it is practically local.

[Sun]

They sell larger tubs of Fage at Costco. Both my girls love it.

[m stevens]

I love it, and could eat a whole case. I too am definitely pro cases. Cases of vat sized tubs would rock..

[Ann]

We love FAGE yogurt too, but it is really pricy around here. I have been buying the Stoneyfield Greek yogurt "oikos" because it is a little cheaper at the co-op where I shop, but the FAGE is better, especially because the toppings are on the side. I love that.

[Lori Kunian]

I had gastric bypass last year and because of the higher protein count I was recommended to eat greek yogurt...I started eating the chobani, but then fage was on sale and I have been hooked ever since...I cannot get enough of it...I eat it sometimes twice a day, once for breakfast and then again for a wonderful dessert with strawberries, so yummy and delicious..My favorite is the 2%....

[rene balogh]

i love this stuff with HONEY! I buy the plain yogurt then drizzle my own honey on each bite. i figure you get more yogurt by buying the honey separately.

[Carly]

I'd bathe in the stuff if I could.
Seriously.
My only problem with Fage is that it's a huge PITA to find here in good ol' WV.
Therefore, a case of it would be fantastic!

[Farah Woodburn]

Just came across this as I am eating some Fage with blueberries on top! It is next to impossible to find here and I have literally BEGGED the local supermarkets to carry it-yesterday I found 6 6oz containers at Kroger and I bought them all!!!! I was doing the happy dance. I hope they continue to stock it because though its expensive I would happily get a 2nd job so that I can continue to buy it. Acase would be great, amd probably gone in less than a week!

[deana]

I eat the 10 % plain fage. It is the creamiest thing in the world. Plus all that milkfat actually helps the nutrients to assimilate into your body. For those who have tried both 2 % and 10 %, is there a huge difference in taste?

My favourite recipe is to drizzle virgin coconut oil, coconut milk and some freshy grated coconut meat onto the yogurt. I like mine low-carb so I don't add sweeteners, but you could add some dried goji berries and manuka honey.

Another recipe is to blend a full avocado with the fage yogurt. Add some mint and corriander to taste.

[cheap soft cialis]

When I was pregnant I has the same feelings about that, so be patient.

[generic cialis]

Would it be possible to grow tea tree for the purpose of producing
manuka honey and associated teatree products in Ireland bearing in
mind that the temperatures range from -5 to 25 degrees celcius
depending on the time of year.