November 10th, 2016 is National Greek Yogurt Day.
While there may be rioting in the streets after yesterday’s election, all is quiet in the dairy aisle of the grocery store. Within this aisle lives the unsung hero of the morning meal, one who has been around for centuries and only become mainstream over the last decade or so. With the recent rise in purposeful “healthy eating” over the last few years, this food in particular has come to be the champion of breakfast foods for the health-conscious and lactose-tolerant. Packing a powerful punch of protein, probiotics, and potassium while also keeping lactose and excess sugar on the D.L., it’s no wonder this has become a foody favorite. The health benefits of Greek yogurt don’t stop there, though–it also is high in B12, a necessary vitamin for energy and brain function, iodine, and calcium.
While this superfood may seem like a new innovation, Greek yogurt has been around for hundreds of years. In its native country, it’s referred to as “yiaourti”, and is typically made from ewe’s milk (that’s a lady sheep if you didn’t know) or cow’s milk, which is what most Greek yogurt is made from in the U.S. It’s unique texture comes from boiling or straining off excess liquid and whey, which creates a creamier, richer consistency than regular old yogurt.
These properties also make it a very versatile ingredient. Not only is it a favorite among breakfast lovers for smoothies, or simply topped with fresh fruit and granola, but also can be substituted in many baked goods for less healthful ingredients like sour cream, cream cheese, or butter. It’s a staple ingredient in tzatziki sauce, typically drizzled over gyros, which represents well the different uses varying cultures have for Greek yogurt. In Greece and around the Mediterranean, the savory side of the yogurt is often played up. However, those living in the Western Hemisphere will usually find Greek yogurt marketed as a sweet snack, topped with different fruits and flavors.
No matter how you take it, adding some Greek yogurt into your life today can only make it better.
