y-owned organic-dairy company Evolve has introduced the first spoonable low-fat Greek kefir line packed with probiotics and immune-system-boosting benefits.“It's a marriage of two trends -- the Greek yogurt trend and the kefir probiotic trend. It offers you all the benefits in terms of protein and texture," said Cyrus Schwartz, president of Evolve Kefir, a New York-based dairy company and brand. "Most people in America haven't heard of kefir. This product targets people who are really in tune with health and nutrition; people who read labels understand what probiotics are all about."
Turkish for "feel good," kefir is most similar to drinkable yogurt and originated in the Caucasus Mountains of Russia. While most yogurts are made with two cultures -- the bacteria used to make yogurt -- kefir has 12 and is produced by raising the temperature of fresh, 1% low-fat milk, blending the cultures and straining out the whey for a thicker product with less sugar and more protein.
“Greek yogurt has totally taken off ... it wouldn't surprise me that this is definitely a trend. Greek yogurt is higher in protein so people really seem to like that; it's also a little bit creamier. I have clients who love regular kefir and will gravitate towards this," said Dr. Lisa Young, a New York nutritionist and adjunct professor of Nutrition and Food Studies at New York University.
The new Evolve Greek line includes four flavors -- strawberry, peach, berry and plain. The tangy and creamy kefir comes with chunks of fresh fruit at the bottom for mixing.
“There aren’t necessarily a ton of food sources for probitoics so this could be a potential way to give people another healthy alternative,” Young said.
She predicts the products will be favored by women, based on her experience with female clients who enjoy kefir.
“I think the challenge is going to be educating people on the benefits of kefir,” Young said.
Schwartz also stresses that the product is part of the blossoming health-food trend.
The new kefir features 5.3oz. servings available throughout New York and the metro area for $1.99.
