Avocados are simply delicious. When they're just ripe, there's nothing like 'em. We're huge fans of putting them in salads, sandwiches, burgers, quesadillas, or anything else we can justify throwing them into. And who doesn't like chips and guacamole?
But yogurt? That seems just a little weird to me—almost along the same lines as putting bacon in a chocolate bar or elephant dung in candy bites...well, okay, that last one isn't actually a thing...yet. But you get the picture: it almost seems like certain products carry a bit of shock value just by stating their name. And if it works, great. But if it doesn't...everybody's like, "Um yeah, I didn't think that would work, so why did TJ's?"
Case in point: avocado yogurt. It doesn't sound like it should work, and in my humble opinion, it simply doesn't. The best part about this product is that it doesn't really taste that much like avocados. It's much more citrusy than avocado-y. But there's enough avocado to make your mouth a bit confused. It's sweeter and more citrusy than yogurt-based guacamole, but it's sour and tangy like most Greek yogurt, and then there's still that distinct, earthy, almost nutty essence of avocado—and at least my personal taste buds insist that it just doesn't belong in yogurt.
I gave it the old college try, but I'm not feeling it. Two stars from me. If it had been "Citrus Greek Yogurt with a Hint of Avocado," then maybe, just maybe it could have worked. Interesting concept though, I guess. And I don't feel super let-down, because my expectations for this product were much lower than the ones I had for, say, the PB&J Greek Yogurt.
Sonia's only comment: "I don't hate it, but it's just weird." Three stars.
Bottom line: 5 out of 10.
I wanted to like it so bad but it was just gross to me. The avocado gave it a weird aftertaste.
ReplyDeleteI agree 100%.
DeleteHmmm, I loved it. Had a light texture more like parfait. Already a repeat buy for me.
ReplyDeleteMore for you then!
DeleteCould it be a dip for chips possibly? My mind thinks it could work more like onion dip than just a yogurt!
ReplyDeleteThat's an interesting thought...it's just too sweet and citrusy to be anything like onion dip...
DeleteI think it would be good for dips/spread. Swap out for mayo on sandwiches.
ReplyDeleteAgain, an interesting thought, Alek. I'd still say it's too sweet and citrusy for that, but it's worth a try I guess.
DeleteIt could work for like chicken salad. Unique twist. Or turkey sandwiches.
DeleteAgree. Just not anything like it seemed it should have been. A giant miss for TJ.
ReplyDeleteIndeed.
DeleteThis may have been one of the most vile things I've put in my mouth... and I've experienced the stinkiest of cheeses, worst of wines and even recall trying dog food as a young kid (I think I spat that out).
ReplyDeleteIt seemed almost offensive that it was even made... that said, my coworker, who usually doesn't like avocados, enjoyed it. I love avocados and was appalled.
If it wasn't so awful, I'd be willing to try it on a taco-- probably chicken or fish, where both avocado and citrus are welcome-- but don't think I could even attempt that.
This had so much potential- good on paper but in real life....not so much. For all the reasons you named.
ReplyDeleteI'm a big fan if savory yogurt, and on the hot summer nights i make a lot of savory yogurt bowls with plain greek yogurt, chopped cucumbers, chopped kalamata olives, basil or dill, salt and pepper, and whatever nuts or seeds i have around. Often avocado ends up in there too.
I would love savory 2% yogurt from TJs, but this isn't even close.
Ttrockwood
You need to try some traditional Greek Yogurt, STAT!
ReplyDeleteThe fact that you keep describing the flavors that make Greek yogurt taste like Greek yogurt as "citrusy" and "sour" leads me to believe you've not had the real stuff.
Greek yogurt is made using a different strain of bacteria than American yogurt. American yogurt bacteria strains provide a sour, citrusy flavor that you tend to tout; Greek yogurt strains provide a more creamy, cheese-esque pungent flavor (think a mozerella or an even softer cheese)
IN FACT, most "Greek yogurt" sold in the USA isn't made like Greek yogurt at all! The usual process involves taking whole-fat yogurt (because it wouldn't work otherwise) and straining out the whey, making an extra thick concentrated and creamy yogurt bordering on cheese in its makeup.
American Greek yogurt? Usually just American yogurt with a thickening agent added.
Try Fage's full fat version, it's one of the closest supermarket brands.
Smari, Siggi's, Noosa, and Wallaby Organic all make strained yogurts that are much closer to Greek than other brands. (The first two make Icelandic style strained yogurt, the second two make Australian style strained yogurt.)