Ben & Jerry's Greek Frozen Yogurt: Taste Test

We knew it was coming but now it's official: Ben & Jerry's has launched a new line of Greek frozen yogurt. And it's pretty good! The pints are available in four flavors: Strawberry Shortcake, Banana Peanut Butter, Raspberry Fudge Chunk and Blueberry Graham Cracker.

One of the great aspects of Greek yogurt is the noticeable tang. In Ben & Jerry's case, this tang was barely evident for most tasters. In fact, the flavors didn't really taste like Greek yogurt much at all. The yogurt base was apparent -- at least in the sense that the base tasted different than Ben & Jerry's full-fat ice cream -- but most probably wouldn't guess this is a Greek frozen yogurt without the label. But that's okay because some of these flavors are seriously good anyways.

If you're on a diet, don't stock up on these pints just yet though. They may be healthier than full-on ice cream, but these flavors are not going to win any health food awards. In fact, Ben & Jerry's stated the following in a release emailed to The Huffington Post:

The product, still regarded as an indulgent dessert, reaps the benefits of containing real Greek yogurt. Greek yogurt is made through a traditional straining process allowing more of the whey to drain out, leaving a thicker, smoother yogurt rich and creamy in texture. While the protein is higher and the calories are lower than Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, the company is positioning Greek Frozen Yogurt as a reasonable reward.

The flavors will be available in stores nationwide this month and in scoop shops across the country by springtime.

Check out our thoughts below:

All photos by Joseph Erdos

Comments

[tombug777]

07:00 PM on 05/13/2012

I love this product! I can definitely taste the tang and find it to be delicious! So far, I've tried the raspberry fudge chunk, which was fantastic, and the strawberry shortbread, which was also very good. Yes,the shortbread was a little dry, but the flavor was good. Ben and Jerry's regular ice creams contain 12 to 20 grams of fat per serving, with most of them landing somewhere in the middle to upper range of that. In contrast, the Greek frozen yogurt flavors contain between 5 and 8 grams of fat, with only one flavor having 8 grams of fat due to the fact it contains peanut butter. So while these may not be a health food, they are a great improvement, and a better choice, than "real" ice cream. I hope this product sticks around.

[jglalone]

05:46 PM on 02/27/2012

Dear Ben and Jerry, or Whomever Is Now Owner and Operator:
Why do you add so much junk to products that are basically good...like cookies, cake, candy, dough, etc. It tastes disgusting, unless the consumer grew up on junk food and had parents who totally moddle-coddled their children. When there are so many wonderful fruits and nuts, chocolate, marshmallow, caramel, why add those things that one would put ice cream in or on. Enough with the Funky Munky Dunky with Ding Dongs. It is not cute anymore. It was a good gimmick when you were starting out, but you tried to have a healthy image as well, and the two don't work. How about tomato jelly ice cream, if you won't to be wild and crazy. Or Strawberry Rhubarb Fandango. I make Strawberry Rhubarb ice cream and it is awesome. Healty organic ice cream please.

[luzenglu]

01:27 PM on 02/27/2012

Detest any kind of bready/cookie chunks in my ice cream/yogurt. Tolerate nuts and fudge swirls. Plain vanilla or La Leche for me. Oh! Love strawberries, hate strawberry ice cream. Haven't a clue why.

[billythekid1942]

01:04 PM on 02/27/2012

Oh yeah, there mouths either or what have you....

[billythekid1942]

01:00 PM on 02/27/2012

I will not eat Ben And Jerry's Ice cream as I don't know where their hands have been!

[leo moon]

01:09 PM on 02/27/2012

As opposed to Bluebell, Dreyer's, etc?

[Ken Koziol]

12:59 PM on 02/27/2012

I only buy Ben & Jerrys ice cream when it is on sale, usually only when it is 2/ $6.00

[Layla Portier]

12:29 PM on 02/27/2012

I am not liking this new "Greek" trend in yogurt. I want my regular Dannon/Breyers! I can't find it at my local stores anymore. I tried the Greek version (didn't have a choice) and it was disgusting, too thick and bitter.

[RiffRafferty]

12:28 PM on 02/27/2012

When is GYRO flavor due? MMmmmmm...OPA!.

[Coz McRae]

12:07 PM on 02/27/2012

Banana and peanut butter sounds like a good combination.
I agree with a recent statement that Ben and Jerry's New York Super Fudge Chunk is one of the best among all ice creams; but I don't usually buy it because I am health conscious and so I usually lean toward lower-fat, lower-calorie ice cream. So I wish this article had given fat and calorie numbers for those new Greek flavors.

[kansmusic]

11:44 AM on 02/27/2012

Why do companies insist on adding chunks of crap to perfectly good ice cream or frozen yogurt? Strawberry cheesecake doen't require crust. I'd rather have a smooth, creamy delight.

[nfischet]

12:14 PM on 02/27/2012

Greek olive doesn't sound appealing either!!

[BamaRainbow]

02:08 PM on 02/27/2012

Have you ever actually eaten a cheeseCAKE? Without the graham cracker cake part, you've got strawberry cream cheese pudding.

If you want a "smooth, creamy delight," buy PLAIN ice cream or plain frozen yogurt. It's not like you can't get those. I honestly doubt that anyone's holding a gun to your head and forcing you to buy a non-"smooth, creamy" ice cream or frozen yogurt.

[kansmusic]

10:23 PM on 02/27/2012

I've not only eatten cheesecake, but I make them. I expect there to be crust on a cheesecake, but I get tired of chunks of stuff in ice cream. I often buy plain ice cream or plain frozen yougut as you suggest, but I want the cheesecake flavoring which I can't find in plain ice cream. There are other ice cream flavors I'd enjoy more without chunks in them.

[jmamusic]

11:18 AM on 02/27/2012

With the cost/prices of Ben & Jerry's, it will be a cold day in Hell before I buy ANY of their products...

[nfischet]

12:15 PM on 02/27/2012

and that's the truth!! Yet they are supposed to be a couple of "poor" guys who don't believe in the "rich"....yet there they are!

[leo moon]

01:02 PM on 02/27/2012

They take care of their employees, use milk from local, non-chemical-based dairy farmers, support their local economy, and use quality ingredients. This is the reason for a higher price than your typical Blue Bell or Dryer's-style ice creams.
B & J don't claim not to "believe in" the "rich." It's just not the primary purpose of their enterprise.

[glitterpet]

08:08 PM on 04/03/2012

. they did not inherit wealth, they built it, just like the rest of us would like to do. . . there is a difference . . .

[nbart71]

12:35 PM on 02/27/2012

It's a product that costs a lot to make, so I understand the high price point. I still usually go for store brand sherbert though...

[Kris999]

11:16 AM on 02/27/2012

Love Ben and Jerrys flavor menu.But they need some new political ones like...Suicide Bomber Berry Blast...Burnt Quran ali-baba mocha mode...Santorum Contraceptive Crunch(comes with a condom garnish)...Romney Rocky Road (comes with mini mormon bible)...they need something new and different to get peoples attention!

[nbart71]

12:36 PM on 02/27/2012

F&F'd. One of the funniest comments I've read in a LONG time. Bravo.

[Forever Jung]

11:14 AM on 02/27/2012

Since this is Greek yoghurt, will Germany buy it for me?

[forrestly7]

10:47 AM on 02/27/2012

all the favors sound disgusting.

[360Dunk]

10:37 AM on 02/27/2012

I will buy this product by the gallons in hopes that it will help Greece pull out of its debt crisis.