June 29, 2006

Wallaby Organic Strawberry Yogurt

Given the healthy number of organic yogurt options on the supermarket shelves these days, I didn't think there would be anything special about Wallaby's organic strawberry yogurt. I'm glad I tried it.

Billed as a "creamy Australian style" product, this yogurt is a bit different in a number of ways. First of all, the texture is very creamy, almost "thin" and less gelatinous compared to other yogurts. Secondly, the flavor is more subtle and less sweet. I did a bit of reading about the company on its web site, and learned that the texture and mild flavor are a result of the way it's made. By using a longer culturing process, they avoid some of the tartness associated with most yogurts, allowing them to use less sugar (although I compared it to Stonyfield Farm's organic strawberry yogurt and found that Wallaby had only 1 gram less--21 grams for a six ounce serving).

The company's history is kind of funny. They are actually a U.S.-based company, but are called "Wallaby" because the founders were inspired by yogurt they ate on a trip to Australia. I've never been there, but it does taste more like yogurts I've eaten in Europe. The different style might not apeal to everyone, but personally I'd buy this yogurt over other brands because it doesn't leave you with a sickly sweet aftertaste that makes you feel like you just ate a pixie stik.

About Wallaby Yogurt Company: A San Francisco-based company, Wallaby was founded in 1996. The company has made an admirable effort to use more environmentally friendly packaging.

Wallaby Organic Strawberry Lowfat Yogurt ingredients: Organic cultured pasteurized reduced fat milk, organic strawberries, organic evaporated cane juice, locust bean gum, pectin, natural flavor, elderberry juice concentrate for color.