Is That Real Greek Yoghurt?

As many of you may be aware, the Greek yoghurt fad has spread across the United States like rapid fire over the past few years. Brands such as Chobani, Faye, and even Dannon have cashed in on this growing trend in food retail. But as recent reports have shown, these brands have been using GMOs and artificial sweeteners in their products, turning what was once seen as a healthy choice of yoghurt into a potentially harmful one. I stopped eating Greek yoghurt when this news came out about a year ago, and it was a very sad day indeed. But upon arriving in Greece, a whole new world opened before my eyes. Handmade Greek yoghurt: naturally sweetened, no GMOs, and incredibly delicious.

The yoghurt in Greece was everything I could've imagined and more. While staying on the island of Corfu, our hostel served handmade Greek yogurt, accompanied by scrambled eggs with fresh herbs and feta cheese each morning. The yogurt had a thick and creamy texture to it, but was not overwhelmingly thick like Faye or Chobani. Naturally sweetened with honey and sliced apricots, this mid-morning treat was served on top of a light and crunchy corn cereal. After my first time trying this yogurt, I was convinced that the Greek gods made it. After inquiring, however, it turned out to be handmade by two older women who worked as cooks in the hostel's kitchen.

Yet Greek yoghurt was not the only food I had traveled to Greece to experience. Greek cuisine contains some of my favorite foods, including Greek salad, lamb kabobs, fresh tzatziki, and olives. Fortunately, these food choices are everywhere in Greece, as small one-stop kabob restaurants line sidewalks and city streets, offering gyros and kabobs for a mere 1.50 euro. The prices in Greece are very feasible for budget traveling, and I have included below my top three "cheap eat" foods to try in Greece.

1.Kabob or "Souvlaki"

The traditional kabob consists of grilled lamb, beef, pork, or chicken served on a wooden skewer. The Greeks slow cook their meats for hours, adding to the savory flavor of these kabobs. They are very filling and incredibly delicious. Many restaurants and kabob shops also serve vegetarian kabobs, usually consisting of mushroom, onion, zucchini, and pepper. Kabobs tend to be very cheap - usually between one and two euro.

2. Gyros

Then there is the almighty gyro. Beloved by Greeks and tourists alike, the gyro is the ultimate grab-and-go food option for people on the move in Greece. It consists of grilled meat (usually lamb, beef, or pork), tomatoes, onions, and lettuce covered in a generous serving of tzatziki sauce, all wrapped together in warm pita bread. Some restaurants also pack a generous serving a French fries into their gyros, depending on where you go. Gyros are pretty cheap (usually between two and four euro) and are a very quick and convenient option when traveling throughout Greece.

3. Greek Salad

By now you may be under the impression that the Greek diet consists entirely of meat and dairy. But don't worry - the Greek salad is there to change that. The traditional Greek salad is an assortment of freshly chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions topped with feta cheese and olives. This salad is lightly drizzled in olive oil and balsamic vinegar and usually comes in portions large enough to share between two people. Greek salads are also very cheap and usually cost around three to four euros.